OUR MISSION
& TEAM
Plastic Litter Education Advocates
Plastic Waste Education & Advocacy
At Plastic Litter Education Advocates, we are committed to protecting our environment by raising awareness, educating communities, and inspiring action against plastic pollution. Our team is made up of passionate advocates, educators, and environmental leaders who work together to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.
MISSION STATEMENT
Plastic Litter Education Advocates (PLEA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Fredericksburg, Virginia. PLEA's mission is to educate and empower all young people to understand the dangers of plastic litter, inspire action to reduce plastic use, and promote sustainable alternatives for a healthier future.
OUR VISION
A world where the youth lead the charge to eradicate plastic litter from the planet to preserve marine environments and advocate for sustainable practices.
Board of Directors & Officers
Meet Our Team: Environmental Educators & Advocates
KAREN BROWN
Executive Director & President of the Board of Directors
Karen Brown is Executive Director of Plastic Litter Education Advocates. Karen is a passionate nature enthusiast who’s traveled the world visiting ocean beaches and rivers. She earned a B.S. in Political Science from Frostburg State University and spent a fifteen-year career in government and politics, both in the Nation’s Capitol and in the state of Oregon. After the birth of two sons, Karen earned an M.Ed. in Special Education, and spent ten-years in teaching in the public schools of Central Virginia.
SARAH DAVIS
Educational Consultant & Vice President of the Board of Directors
Sarah’s journey into environmental advocacy began with a love for education and a deep curiosity about the natural world. Originally a trumpet performance major, she shifted her focus to science education after discovering her passion for geology. Now a dedicated teacher with over 20 years of experience, Sarah inspires students through astronomy, leadership, and college-level science courses. She holds a Master’s in Science Education from the University of Lynchburg and continues to be a driving force in environmental education. She and her husband, Eric, both educators, live with their teenage daughter and three beloved cats.
TRACEY LEVERTY
Programs Director & Environmental Advocate
Growing up on the East Coast, Tracey developed an early passion for environmental protection—choosing to pick up litter instead of seashells at the beach. Her experience as a competitive canoeist gave her firsthand exposure to the impact of pollution on waterways, leading to a lifelong commitment to sustainability. With a background in event management, she championed green event practices before joining Keep Virginia Beautiful >> as Programs Director. Tracey now leads initiatives focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, and community beautification. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and embracing all things vintage.
ANDREW BROWN
Treasurer
Andrew Brown is the Treasurer of Dream Finders Homes, Inc. (NYSE: DFH). Andrew is responsible for the tax, insurance, treasury and M&A functions which includes liquidity management, capital raising, deal structuring and various strategic initiatives at Dream Finders Homes. Prior to joining Dream Finders Homes, Andrew served as a Vice President at Macquarie Group Limited where he served in various roles in his tenure across the Asia-PAC Fixed Income and Mortgage Securitization desks, the EMEA sports financing desk, the Global Treasury and IR/FX Risk Management desks and the Group CFO division. Andrew is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting and a concentration in business management from the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond.
