Advisory Board

Elizabeth Ellers

Elizabeth Ellers is a retired senior media executive with extensive experience in brand strategy, market research, and leadership at global companies including AOL, Univision, and Grey Worldwide. She has served on boards and advisory committees for Loudoun County’s Historic District Review Committee, the Loudoun Agricultural & Chemical Institute Foundation, and Goucher College. As former Chair and Executive Director of Oatlands, she played a pivotal role in advancing the site’s preservation, master planning, and financial sustainability. Ellers brings corporate insight, nonprofit governance experience, and deep commitment to Loudoun’s historic and cultural preservation.

Laura Huerta Migus

Laura Huerta Migus, M.S., serves as Director of Fellowship and Alumni Engagement and National Activation & Impact at the Aspen Institute, where she leads efforts to connect and amplify the impact of the Institute’s national network of fellows. A nationally recognized nonprofit and museum leader, she previously served as Deputy Director for the Office of Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and as Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums. Named a 2016 White House Champion of Change and 2018 Aspen Ascend Fellow, she has led major initiatives advancing equity, access, and innovation in the cultural sector. Huerta Migus has secured multimillion-dollar funding for museum advancement, launched groundbreaking research collaborations, and built cross-sector partnerships linking cultural institutions, government, and philanthropy to strengthen community well-being nationwide.

Dr. Andrea Roberts

Andrea Roberts, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Faculty Director of the Center for Cultural Landscapes at the University of Virginia. A leading scholar of African American cultural landscapes, she founded The Texas Freedom Colonies Project, a nationally recognized initiative documenting historic Black settlements and descendant communities. Her Mellon Foundation–funded Outsider Preservation Initiative and ongoing work with the Montpelier Descendants Committee position her at the forefront of descendant-centered preservation. AWhiting Public Engagement Fellow and Preservation Action Hero finalist, Dr. Roberts’ research and advocacy have reshaped how planners and preservationists address race, memory, and land justice.

Beth Sastre-Flores

Beth Sastre-Flores is the Commercial Horticulturist for the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Loudoun County, where she leads education and applied research initiatives in sustainable agriculture, invasive species management, and farmworker wellness. With advanced degrees in Agronomy and Postharvest Physiology from leading Mexican research institutions, she has co-led multimillion-dollar USDA Specialty Crop and Local Food Promotion grants. Beth is the creator of Loudoun’s Crops Suitability Tool, recognized with EMPACT’s Platinum Award for innovation, and serves as a regional voice for soil health and vineyard management. A bilingual educator, she develops and delivers Spanish-language pesticide safety and soil health programs for Virginia’s agricultural workforce.

Darryl A. Simon

Darryl A. Simon, MSOD, SPHR, is President and Founder of Vantage Growth Strategic Advisors, a global organizational development consultancy. With more than 25 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and federal agencies, he is recognized for advancing leadership development, organizational strategy, and culture transformation. His clients have included Comcast, Fannie Mae, HBO, and the International Monetary Fund. A formerVice President of Human Resources for major firms including Centrus Energy and CarrAmerica Realty, Simon specializes in aligning people, systems, and strategy for sustainable growth. He is also a certified executive coach and thought leader in human capital and performance management.

Katharine Stewart

Katharine Stewart is an experienced development professional with over 25 years of experience in museum advancement, membership, and donor relations. Formerly Director of Development at Montgomery History and Assistant Director at the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Advancement, she has led multimillion-dollar campaigns and donor engagement programs. At Oatlands, she served on the Board from 2015–2023, co-chaired the Education and Interpretation Committee, and co-led the Reclaim Your Story descendant engagement program. Stewart also leads fundraising for Wellesley College and serves on the Arts & Humanities Council of Falls Church. Her work bridges philanthropy, heritage education, and community storytelling.

Dr. Stephen M. Thompson

Stephen M. Thompson, Ph.D., serves as County Archaeologist for Loudoun County, overseeing cultural resource compliance and stewardship planning for historic properties. With more than 30 years of archaeological research experience, he previously co-owned Rivanna Archaeological Services, conducting landmark investigations across Virginia’s historic landscapes, including UVA’s Rotunda and Ball’s Bluff Battlefield. Dr. Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Virginia and has authored numerous technical reports and National Register nominations. His work integrates archaeological science, GIS, and preservation policy to safeguard the region’s cultural heritage.

Dr. Catrice Vandross

Dr. Catrice Vandross is an educator, genealogist, and community leader with more than 30 years of service in special education and cultural preservation. She teaches in Arlington County Public Schools and is CEO of Epic Global Experiences, a youth travel and cultural exchange program. A leader in numerous civic and fraternal organizations, she has directed historic preservation and archival projects preserving African American heritage. Dr. Vandross maintains a genealogical database of over12,000 individuals and co-leads initiatives honoring Black heritage and descendant voices. She holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership from The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling from North Central Theological Seminary.