Born in Dayton, Ohio, Stephanie Stephens came to North Carolina in 1995, where she became involved in everything outdoors. During her attendance at UNC-Greensboro, Stephanie became invested in improving water quality. During her undergraduate degree in Environment and Sustainability, Stephanie devised a study to investigate perceptions of tap water quality in Greensboro, NC. This study was later published in the Southeastern Geographer Journal. She went on to complete a M.S. in Environment and Sustainability at UNC-Greensboro and conducted a riverkeeper project on the Deep River. She is thrilled to become the Riverkeeper for this beautiful river.

Patricia serves as the Chairperson for the DRRK Board of Directors.

Her career encompasses Science Research (BioMusic: animal communication/evolution of music-making, National Science Foundation funding); Executive Producer (in residence @ National Academy of Sciences, productions for J.F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Getty Center); and Concert Pianist (White House performance and recipient of the Franz Liszt Award from the Government of Hungary.

Patricia was appointed Senior Specialist by the Fulbright Program, the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars to serve as a special consultant to foreign institutions and organizations worldwide. She’s retired faculty from the UNC-Greensboro.

Forest Jones is a retired information systems executive with more than 10 years of experience in leadership positions in the nonprofit world.  

Laura is happily retired after a multi-faceted career journey.

She earned her master’s in Organizational Learning from George Mason University, a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University and Bachelor of Music Therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.

After a few years as a Music Therapist, she completed coursework in computer programming that led to a long career in information technology and organizational effectiveness.

She has volunteered and fulfilled leadership roles with nonprofit organizations.

Laura cares about the well-being of our planet and all of us that inhabit it.

Aaron is Director of the Environment & Sustainability Program in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability at UNC Greensboro. Prior to taking on that role in 2015, he was UNCG’s first Academic Sustainability Coordinator. A Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, Dr. Allen earned his Ph.D. in music from Harvard and his B.S. in environmental studies and B.A. in music from Tulane. He is jointly appointed as associate professor of musicology in the UNCG School of Music.

 Woman of excellence recipient, Black Ink Magazine Power 100 recipient (most influential North Carolinians),  business owner,  author,  motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, and public servant who shows up with charisma, character, and a collaborative spirit that inspires, enlightens, and impacts all she meets.  

Hairston’s value proposition stems  from an expansive sales and marketing corporate environment where she shares her success story to inspire others to maximize potential by offering keys to success in the business, professional, customer service and  brand differentiation space.

Hairston is Founder and Managing Director of Dynamic Images International LLC, Career Advancements Consultants and Executive Director of Dynamic Images by the Hairston Group® “Profession Style at its Finest,” a community-centered nonprofit designed to provide core skills training for  youth and adults in etiquette, business acumen, and professional presentation.      

Community Service Portfolio: President, High Point (HP) NAACP, HP YWCA, Advocacy Committee, Board -  High Point Schools Partnership (HPSP),   LWVPT Executive Board, Friends of John Coltrane – Board, Mentor – high school students, HBCU Professional Development Coach, Moderator – candidate forums and  meeting facilitator.  

Credentials: Honorary Doctorate ~ Public Service, Master of Arts ~ Integrated Marketing Communication, Bachelor of Science  ~ Organizational Management. (primary and secondary education Guilford County Schools).

Steve has over 40 years of experience in water utility management and municipal government leadership. He began his career with the City of Greensboro, NC Water Resources Department in 1979 where he served at all levels of technical and managerial positions until becoming Director of Water Resources in 2011 and later, served as Interim Assistant City Manager before retiring from public service in 2020. Steve, a New Jersey native, is a UNC-G graduate, and a NC Grade "A" Certified Water Treatment Water Facility Operator. He has extensive experience in drinking water and wastewater utility operations, watershed management, regulatory compliance, general governance and strategic planning. Now working as a private consultant to public water & wastewater utilities and local governments around the country, he also serves as a volunteer on the Water Advisory Board for the Town of Oriental, NC where he also enjoys inland waterway and offshore coastal sailing. 

Carey settled in Greensboro in 1996 with her husband Lee to practice family medicine and raise 2 boys. Though recently retired, she continues to enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, studying nature, and sharing her joy of the outdoors with others.

Before retirement, Edward Norwood Robinson, Jr. was a practicing physician in Infectious Diseases and Public Health.  He served as Medical Director of the Guilford County Department of Public Health.  He was Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wake Forest University and UNC Schools of Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.  Currently he is in the midst of obtaining a master’s degree in music composition at UNCG and an advanced certificate in film scoring at Berklee School of Music. 

Lisa Keck's connection to our environment has been shaped by her unique background in science, archaeology, and maritime exploration. As a registered nurse, Scuba instructor, and sailor who has traversed waters from the Caribbean to the Western Pacific, she has witnessed firsthand the critical relationship between human activity and ocean health. Her deep understanding of both human and environmental wellbeing stems from her combined experience in healthcare and marine environments.

Now as a business owner, Lisa champions the vital connection between local waterways and community wellbeing. She believes that healthy rivers and streams are the lifelines of our environment, directly impacting everything from wildlife to drinking water quality. Through her work and advocacy, she promotes sustainable practices and education about climate challenges, focusing particularly on protecting our precious water resources for future generations.

Adrianne Poe is a North Carolina native and resides in Greensboro with her husband, two children, cat and dog. She practices commercial real estate law with Maynard Nexsen PC, in its Greensboro office. In her spare time, she enjoys running, strength training and reading.

Tatyana is a pharmaceutical scientist with her research focused from drug discovery and drug delivery to the process development through clinical upscaling, optimization studies and preparations of regulatory dossiers to support FDA submission process. With over 20 years experience in pharmaceutical development and over 10 years in apparatus design and environmental sensors Tatyana has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and patents. Tatyana holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering  and Master's degree in technology of organic and petrochemical synthesis. In her free time, she enjoys painting, traveling and playing piano. 

Sarah is an archaeologist who specializes in using geophysical methods to map precontact and historic sites. She directs the geophysical archaeology department at New South Associates, Inc., where she focuses on helping clients understand cultural resources without excavation. Sarah's research interests focus on historic cemeteries and precontact villages which are often stories of water and the landscape around water resources. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, and baking.