Leadership & Vision: Founders' Bios

The Vision: From Hydraulic Scars to Regenerative Renewal

The spark for Shady Brook Alchemist, LLC was ignited during a visit to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park in Nevada County. Standing before the dramatic, cliffside scars left by 19th-century hydraulic gold mining, Elizabeth Coyne and Dr. Susan Prince-Ingram felt a deep connection to the land—and a profound calling. Where history left industrial disruption, they saw an invitation for transformation, social equity, and ecological healing.

Driven by a shared love for the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Nevada County, Beth and Susan envisioned a model of land stewardship that gives back more than it takes. That transformative vision became the foundation for Shady Brook Alchemist, LLC and its commitment to a regenerative, closed-loop ecosystem—proving that environmental restoration, cultural reciprocity, and economic viability can grow side-by-side, "From the Soil to the Stars".

Elizabeth "Beth" Coyne, CRCM

Elizabeth "Beth" Coyne brings over 30 years of elite financial governance, credit risk, and asset management expertise to Shady Brook Alchemist. A former Commissioned FDIC Bank & Compliance Examiner , Beth specializes in building bulletproof internal control environments , managing multi-million-dollar portfolios , and navigating complex federal compliance frameworks, including USDA, FSA, and SBA standards. Beth's professional career is defined by her ability to architect scalable financial strategies that harmonize sustainable expansion with rigorous safety and soundness mandates. Drawn to Nevada County by its natural beauty and community spirit, Beth channels her financial expertise into ensuring the enterprise operates with unwavering fiscal solvency and structural resilience. She dedicates 20 hours per week exclusively to managing corporate financial governance, grant administration, SBA/FSA compliance, and internal accounting.

Susan Prince-Ingram, Ed.D.

Dr. Susan Prince-Ingram holds an M.A. in Sociology and an Ed.D. in Leadership and Social Justice, , bringing over 20 years of expertise in data analytics, program architecture, and multi-sector operations management to the leadership team. Centered on co-developing teaching methods with her students that elevate often silenced voices, Susan grounds her operational philosophy in equity, universal accessibility, and community empowerment. She champions key enterprise initiatives such as the construction of an ADA-accessible sensory garden , workforce development apprenticeships , and the land-use partnership and stipend agreement honoring the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. With a professional background spanning financial institutional management, high-stakes retail operations, specialized asset management , and higher education as a CSU Professor , Susan excels at translating complex logistics into streamlined, scalable procedures and measurable performance KPIs. As the primary on-site operator, she devotes 40 hours per week to daily farm operations, agricultural management, guest relations, and educational program delivery. Susan's hands-on leadership ensures that the vision forged at Malakoff Diggins is realized daily on the ground through equity, education, and ecological stewardship.