Meet the Staff of DRC

Kate assumed the Executive Director position at DRC in 2021 after 16 years of experience at the organization managing and directing programs to collaboratively restore streamflow in the basin.

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She came to this work with a BS in geology from Colgate University, five years of experience in wilderness education, and a MS in environmental studies from the University of Oregon. Kate also brings a firm belief in both rivers and in the power of community to work together to find solutions to potentially divisive natural resource issues.

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Kate continues to be inspired by the vision that brought tribal, environmental and irrigation interests together in the 1990s to create real and lasting results in our rivers and streams. She is excited to use her passion for bringing together diverse perspectives in leading the DRC in achieving its mission and vision to its fullest capacity.

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When not working, Kate can be found exploring all forms of water with her two boys in tow.

Jim joined the Deschutes River Conservancy in 2023 and leads the development and implementation of the organization’s streamflow restoration programs. With extensive experience in water conservation, Jim brings a deep commitment to protecting and enhancing freshwater ecosystems.

Jim began his career in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, working with a conservation district and local watershed council to restore habitat and improve water quality for native fisheries. He later joined the State of Montana, where he developed watershed management plans to address water quality across western Montana’s streams and rivers.

In 2015, Jim earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was awarded the Sustainable Water Markets Fellowship. His work as a fellow focused on integrating economic and policy tools into water resource management. Before joining the DRC, Jim served as the Senior Manager of California Forest Programs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and as a project manager at the Washington Water Trust.

In his free time, Jim enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, following baseball, and attending live music events.

Sarah joined the DRC in March 2024 as the Finance & Operations Director. She’s responsible for supporting the strategic objectives of the organization while managing the financial and administrative functions including accounting, human resources, information technology and office management.  

Sarah has served in accounting leadership roles in both public and private companies throughout her career. In 2022, Sarah joined the board of directors of the Oregon Desert Land Trust and serves on the finance committee. She has a BA in accounting from Oregon State University and an MBA from Portland State University.

Sarah is a native Oregonian and is passionate about land and water conservation. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking with her pup, skiing, cycling, and playing tennis.

Marisa joined the Deschutes River Conservancy in 2010 and leads the organization’s communications efforts, bringing stories to life through storytelling, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, and event planning. As a member of the DRC’s Leadership Team, she is dedicated to embedding the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into the organization’s culture and communications.

A Bend native, Marisa returned to her hometown in 2003 after spending several years abroad teaching languages and studying photography in France and Australia. She attended the Université de Paris IV – Sorbonne in 1997-1998 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 2000 with a B.A. in French Studies. She also earned a Certificate in Applied Photography from the International College of Professional Photography in Melbourne, Australia.

In her free time, Marisa enjoys traveling, exploring photography, reading, learning new languages, biking, and adventuring with her husband and two sons.

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GGen manages the Water Leasing and Acquisistions Programs, the DRC’s Groundwater Mitigation Bank, and the Blue Water Fund Raising Program.

‍Gen joined the DRC in November 2005. She coordinates with 8 irrigation districts and up to 200 landowners to protect up to 60 cfs annually through the instream leasing program. She also tracks water policy, rule changes and legislation that affect instream programs, and manages the Avion Blue Water check-box donation program. Gen has presented the leasing and mitigation programs at environmental flow conferences in Australia and South Africa and across the West. Gen has also been a co-president on the board for the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District.

‍Prior to joining the DRC, Gen worked for the Oregon Department of State Lands (Eastern Region) as a Range Technician, was COO of a small wood products corporation in Idaho, developed educational materials for the US Forest Service, and worked on a horse ranch.

‍A central Oregon native, Gen has a BA in Journalism and Advertising from the University of Oregon and a BS in Natural Resource Policy and Range Management from Oregon State University where she graduated with honors.

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Lisa is​ a Program Manager for DRC. She is managing the DRC's Irrigation Modernization program, is helping to facilitate the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative, and is developing and moderating the Raise the Deschutes Seminar Series.

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Prior to joining the DRC, Lisa earned a BS in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon in 1998. After nearly a decade working as an environmental educator for the Bureau of Land Management and a non-profit organization, Lisa earned an MS and PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment.

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In recent years, as a private contractor, Lisa has also worked as a Legislative Research Consultant for the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, the Bend Central District Visionary Board Facilitator for Central Oregon LandWatch, the On-Farm Program Development Consultant for the DRC, and the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative Outreach Committee Facilitator. Lisa also served as the chair of The Environmental Center’s Board of Directors.

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When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors with loved ones, preferably on or near the water; she loves paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting, sailing, Nordic, skate, and downhill skiing, mountain biking, and hiking.

Jacob joined the Deschutes River Conservancy in 2021 and is now a Program Manager. He holds a BA in Economics and BS in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Colorado State University, as well as a JD from Lewis and Clark Law school with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law.  Jacob brings his experience in water law and economics to the team, and helps develop our water banking program, process water transactions, and implement infrastructure projects.
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Outside the office, Jacob enjoys spending time in the outdoors, playing guitar, bowling, and cooking for friends and family.

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Ben joined the DRC in 2023 and works as the Development Manager. He is responsible for coordinating ​outreach and fundraising initiatives, implementing donor communication strategies, fostering individual and business relations, and developing and supporting overall fundraising efforts.

Ben has an educational background in Environmental Communications from Colorado State University. After spending a decade sharing his passion and enthusiasm for Central Oregon’s rivers as a fly fishing guide, Ben now continues to foster positive relationships with water and community through his fundraising efforts in the field of river conservation.

The love for the outdoors extends to Ben’s free time as well, sharing in the magic of the natural world with his wife and young son. When there is snow on the ground, they can be found sliding around in the woods on cross-country skis. As days warm and snow melts, they head to play on our rivers and to dig in their family garden.

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Alex joined the DRC in 2024 as a Program Manager. He helps manage the Annual Water Leasing Program and its integration with other DRC water management initiatives and is a key staff member in the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative, developing the Upper Deschutes Basin Place-based Plan and ensuring effective technical and administrative support for basin-wide water management efforts.

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Prior to joining the DRC, Alex worked for AMP Insights as a project technical lead, supporting nonprofit, agency, and Tribal clients across the western United States in addressing their water resources management challenges. He earned a BS in Hydrological Sciences and a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Management, both from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). At UCSB’s Bren School, he specialized in Water Resources Management with a focus in Environmental Data Science and was awarded the Sustainable Water Markets Fellowship. With nearly a decade of water management experience, Alex is enthusiastic about bringing his skills to the DRC and advancing their water conservation efforts.

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In his free time, Alex enjoys exploring the diverse natural beauty that Central Oregon has to offer, from hiking its many trails, paddling its rivers and lakes, camping in its forests, and learning to snowboard down its mountains.

Maggie joined the DRC as a Project Manager in 2025. She is responsible for coordinating and overseeing DRC-led field monitoring, supporting water quality initiatives and development, and planning as liaison for the Crooked River Basin Water Quality Partnership. 

In 2019, Maggie earned a bachelor's degree in environmental biology at the University of Dayton. In2021, she earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, where her research focused on the impact of climate change on harmful algal blooms. She began her career as a water resources engineer at an environmental consulting firm focusing on watershed management, stormwater infrastructure, and water quality improvement. It isMaggie’s hope to take her technical engineering skills into the nonprofit world by working with the community to support conservation efforts and improve water quality throughout the Deschutes River Basin. 

Outside of work, Maggie enjoys the array of outdoor activities that Bend has to offer including hiking, camping, snowboarding, and paddle boarding – especially if she can bring her dog along.

Grant Traynor joined the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) as a Project Manager in 2025. He is responsible for managing irrigation modernization projects, supporting on-farm conservation initiatives, and fostering relationships with landowners to promote sustainable water management solutions throughout the Deschutes Basin.

Grant earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies-Biology from Whitman College in 2019, graduating with honors and Magna Cum Laude. Before joining the DRC, he worked as the Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator for the Walla Walla County Conservation District. In this role, he managed conservation projects, developed monitoring plans to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and secured over $1.8 million in funding for stream restoration efforts to benefit Mid-Columbia Summer Steelhead. Grant’s experience also includes conservation-focused GIS analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project oversight from design to implementation.

In addition to his conservation work, Grant has a diverse background, including serving as an olive mill master, an ESL teacher in Chile, and a Spanish language instructor at the Walla Walla Public Library. His strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders make him an asset to the DRC team.

Outside of work, Grant enjoys exploring the rivers and landscapes of Eastern Oregon, fishing, rock collecting, and engaging with local conservation initiatives.

James joined the DRC as Office Manager in 2024, two years after initially falling in love with Bend and its surrounding beauty. James works closely with the DRC team providing general office and administrative support.

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Prior to life in Oregon, he studied Food Systems and Environmental Communication in his hometown of Boulder, CO. He quickly learned that growing vegetables, forming community around agriculture, and establishing equitable networks to distribute food was more valuable to him than the academic path he was on, and he devoted his time throughout early COVID shutdowns to organic market gardening throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon. He found Bend through that journey, and is proud to now serve the communities and waterways that first welcomed him in.

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He loves tea and the rituals it offers, discovering hot springs, and finding ways to feel overwhelmed by the immensity of nature.

Kris supports the Director of Finance in grant management, accounting and financial reporting. Prior to joining the DRC, she was the Finance Manager for Sisters Park and Recreation for five years. A long-time Central Oregon resident, Kris enjoys being on the water and winter sports.