The EENC Staff team and Board President Kyra Thurow Bartow are pleased to announce the EENC 2024 Board of Directors, a dedicated team of educators, science communicators, community engagement experts, and leaders who are volunteering their time to guide EENC's operations this year.
2024 marks an exciting change in Board structure driven by our organizational commitment to equitable, shared leadership: for the first time, EENC will define our Board as a Governing, rather than Working, Board of Directors. This shift to a Governing structure includes the introduction of At-Large Board positions in place of some named Chair roles, increased Staff facilitation and participation in Board efforts, and the expansion of committee-based project management. We are excited to make this transition to a fresh, values-based Board structure, designed to maximize all of our Board Members’ unique knowledge, skills, and expertise and amplify our collective impact.
Below, get to know all sixteen 2024 Board Members – including seven incoming Members! – and join us in thanking six outgoing Board Members, who completed their terms with the 2023 year, for their commitment and service.
Incoming Board Members
The following Board Members are beginning their terms in 2024 – welcome!
Erin Carroll – Member-At-Large
Outdoor Learning Specialist,
Durham Public Schools
Hillary Harrison – Member-At-Large
Director of Education and Outreach,
Eno River Association
LaKyla Hodges – Member-At-Large
Equity and Education Manager,
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Alexandria (Ali) Huber-Disla – Member-At-Large
Online Course Instructor,
T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies
Cynthia Peedin – Piedmont Section Chair
Education Manager,
Muddy Sneakers
Noah Upchurch – Member-At-Large
Sustainability Coordinator,
Catawba College Center for the Environment
Nicole Warren – Member-At-Large
Outreach Coordinator,
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Returning Board Members
Sammy Bauer – Member-At-Large
Community Engagement Coordinator,
Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Division
Krista Brinchek – Central Section Chair
Environmental Science Specialist,
Wake County Public Schools
Will Freund – President-Elect
Community Engagement Specialist,
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Emily Hurd – Secretary
Sustainability Director,
Christmount Assembly
Amy Juliana – Past-President
Manager of Science and Technology,
Society of American Foresters
Jessica (Jess) Stitt – Eastern Section Chair
Program Coordinator,
New Hanover County Soil and Water Conservation District
Kyra Thurow Bartow – President
Educator,
Agape Center for Environmental Education
Breanna Walker – Treasurer
Education Specialist,
Union County Soil and Water Conservation District
Brian Wuertz – Western Section Chair
Education Specialist,
Friends of the WNC Nature Center
Outgoing Board Members
The following Board Members completed their terms in 2023. We thank them for their service!
Lindsey Baker – 2023 Membership Chair
Park Ranger,
Raven Rock State Park
What did you enjoy about your service? From Lindsey: "I enjoyed the camaraderie. I tend to get anxious around new people/places/regions; but I had so much fun at the board retreat. I enjoyed the conversations, the working groups, and the opportunity to sit down and strategically talk about things with like-minded people. The space and people were very welcoming."
Tatiana (Tots) Height – 2023 Education Chair
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,
American Forest Foundation
How would you describe our organizational culture? From Tots: "Kind, flexible, organized, communicative, and open-minded."
Lauren Lampley – 2023 Treasurer
Adult Programming Educator,
North Carolina Arboretum
From Lauren: “I am grateful for the time and friendships I have formed while on the Board, so I can’t wait to see where the organization goes in the future.”
Dana Miller – 2023 Western Section Chair
STEM Teacher,
Haywood County Schools
What efforts are you most proud of? From Dana: “I am proud of the changes we were able to make- growing staff, advocacy work, shared leadership model, equitable hiring and pay, ELP changes, Standards revisions… the list goes on!”
Cassandra (Cassie) Payne – 2023 Conference Chair
Lead Instructor,
Fauna Forest Earth School
From Cassie: “I really enjoyed becoming a larger part of the EENC community. The EENC community is so strong and passionate, and I felt honored to be a part of it. Connecting with community members that I would otherwise not have connected with was a really powerful experience. I also enjoyed all of the Board Members, and their drive to create E.E. programs throughout North Carolina.”
Elise Tellez – 2023 Past-President
Director of Horizons Unlimited and Science Curriculum,
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
From Elise: "To all our members, partners, volunteers, and supporters, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and belief in the power of environmental education. Together, we are transforming lives and shaping a brighter future."