Who We Are

Sharon Cayette Lavigne, a native of St. James, Louisiana, dedicated 38 years to teaching Special Education in the St. James Parish school system. After being compelled to protect her community from Formosa Plastics, she founded RISE St. James in 2018 and retired in 2019, embracing the transformative journey as a pioneering environmental justice advocate.

RISE St. James is a faith‑based grassroots nonprofit dedicated to ensuring clean air and clean water and halting petrochemical industry expansion in St. James Parish and throughout Louisiana.  Sharon’s advocacy, which began humbly with a small group of about ten committed individuals meeting in her home, has since blossomed into an influential movement—a testament to her leadership and the impact of her work.

Sharon’s unwavering commitment has earned her international recognition, including the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize (June 2021). Her accolades include the Mary Magdalene Award for Courageous Women of Faith (Church of St. Ignatius Loyola), Laetare Medal (Notre Dame University), and Urban League of Louisiana honors. She has also received the St. James Parish NAACP Image Award, Girl Scout Women of Distinction honor, LA Center for Women & Business Award, Community Centennial for Environmental Stewardship Award, recognition as one of TIME100’s Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business, and the Climate Reality Green Circle Award. In 2024, she was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and her leadership was further celebrated when RISE St. James and its members were collectively recognized on the 2024 Independent Climate 100 List.

Beyond her activism and achievements, Sharon is a devoted mother of six and a beloved grandmother of twelve, whose love and support fuel her passionate advocacy. Sharon Lavigne’s inspiring journey embodies resilience, unwavering dedication, and profound hope. Her vision for a better, cleaner future is contagious, continuously driving change and uplifting communities worldwide.

Shamell Lavigne, Chief Operating Officer for Rise St. James, received her B.S. and Master’s degrees from Southern University and A&M College. She has over 20 years of public health experience specifically in the field of HIV, having worked as a Program Director of a local non-profit to provide supervision and administration of several federal, state and local funded grant programs to include the Ryan White Part A and D Programs, State of Louisiana HIV prevention programs and HIV housing programs funded through HUD and other services for low-income people disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Ms. Lavigne served as the Program Administrator for the City of Baton Rouge’s Ryan White Program for 5 ½ years where she oversaw all aspects of the program to include program finances, staffing, general operations, grant writing, request for proposals and contract processes for procurement of HIV/AIDS services, monitoring of sub-recipients, etc. In her most recent role, Ms. Lavigne served as the Executive Program Administrator for the City of Baton Rouge’s Division of Human Development and Services. Ms. Lavigne served as the executive officer for the East Baton Rouge Parish Community Action Agency-Office of Social Services. In this capacity, she oversaw several grant programs to include but not limited to the Head Start Program, Community Services Block Grant funds as well as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for low-income residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.  Ms. Lavigne has a vast amount of experience in the coordination of activities with partners; building strategic alliances among funders and community based organizations (public, private, and not for profit) to improve the well- being of children and families; developing policies and procedures; researching, designing and promoting ways to eliminate poverty in the community; leading executive management team in preparing grant applications, and annual reports; and identifying the needs and gaps in the community.

Shamell has a 9 year old daughter who is also a member of Rise St. James Louisiana. When Shamell was not working or spending time with her daughter, she was supporting her mother’s efforts to Stop Formosa Plastics! Shamell attended the very first Rise St. James meeting in her mother, Sharon Lavigne’s home in 2018. She has participated in several environmental justice actions to stop the Formosa Plastics plant from being built in St. James Parish since Rise St. James’ inception. Shamell participated in Rise’s first march and rally to raise awareness about the $9.4 billion plastics plant. She continued to support Rise St. James’ efforts by speaking at events, panel discussions and marching alongside her mother, 2021 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner, Sharon Lavigne, and other Rise St. James members and partners. Shamell was featured in the Story Center’s Women of Cancer Alley, Our Town, Our Fight short story, interviews and other documentaries created to raise awareness about Cancer Alley and Rise St. James’ fight for clean air, water and soil.

As the Chief Operating Officer for Rise St. James, Shamell’s duties consist of managing the day-to-day operations of Rise St. James by working closely with the Executive Director. She is responsible for the coordination of climate/environmental justice campaigns and activities, monitoring the annual budget as well as program budgets, leading the team in preparing grant applications and other reports, researching new program opportunities, managing program staff, executing contracts and other duties. She participates on several coalition calls throughout the day to help formulate strategies to combat environmental racism in vulnerable communities, share information, and build alliances with other environmental justice organizations.