Doug founded the River Ellis Foundation with his wife, Rachel, in 2018. Along with the Foundation, Doug is involved in a range of different community organizations. He is Past President/Current Board Member of the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, Member of Towne Leadership Alliance, and serves as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Suburban Capital, a hospitality company headquartered in Virginia Beach. Doug has been an avid waterman and surfer all his life, and enjoys living close to the ocean in the North End of Virginia Beach with his family. Doug takes great pride in the fact that, through The River Ellis Foundation, his daughter’s legacy will be one of hope, community, and sunrises.

Rachel has a deeply personal connection to the Foundation as she and her husband, Doug, started REF when their daughter, River, died in 2018. Rachel’s previous nonprofit work and experience as a mental health counselor exposed her to the significant needs within the Hampton Roads area, and she feels honored to be able to make a difference in the community in River’s name. A native midwesterner, Rachel moved to Virginia Beach in 2013 and loves living near the beach. In her spare time, you can find Rachel somewhere outdoors with Doug and their two children Henry and June.

Annabelle has been involved with the Foundation since its beginning and has long been a friend of the Ellis Family.  In addition to REF, Annabelle is currently on the Board, and volunteers as a tennis coach, at An Achievable Dream, a local educational public/private school that supports the educational needs of our local elementary school students.  Annabelle has always had a heart for those who find themselves in vulnerable situations and she is committed to providing comfort and encouragement to those in need.  She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband Tim, and in their free time they enjoy traveling, especially to visit their two grown children.

When approached by Doug and Rachel about helping with the River Ellis Foundation, the answer was an easy ‘yes’ for Blair.  She helps out with development, and comes up with ideas on how to both fundraise and promote the organization.  Blair is a Virginia Beach native and has been involved in local organizations such as CHKD and Virginia Beach CASA since she moved back home after college.  She and her husband, Mike, lead an active and busy life with their three children Kate, Summer & Will.  You can find Blair running, reading a book on the beach, or driving one of her kids to sports practice.  

John is a Managing Director at Envest Capital Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Virginia Beach.  John previously worked as a corporate and securities lawyer, specializing in structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity.  John earned his law degree from William & Mary and his BA from Washington and Lee.  John is active in the community, having served on a number of boards including the Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, where he is a member of the University Endowment’s Investment Committee, as well as the 757 Angels Group and the Norfolk Academy Alumni Association.  John enjoys surfing, boating and spending time on the beach with his wife and three young children.