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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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

Jim joined DRC in 2023 and oversees the development and implementation of DRC’s streamflow restoration programs. Jim is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in water conservation.

‍

Jim’s career began in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where he worked with a conservation district and local watershed council to protect and restore habitat and water quality for native fisheries. He then worked for the State of Montana, developing watershed management plans to address water quality for streams and rivers throughout western Montana.

‍

In 2015, Jim received a master’s degree in environmental science and management from the Bren School at the University of California - Santa Barbara, where he was awarded Bren’s Sustainable Water Markets Fellowship. As a fellow, he examined the use of economic and policy tools in water resource management. More recently, Jim was the Senior Manager of California Forest Programs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and arrives at the DRC after serving as a project manager at the Washington Water Trust.

‍

In his personal time, Jim enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, following baseball, and enjoying live music.

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 Deschutes River Conservancy in 2010 and oversees all things communications including storytelling, graphics, design, photography, film-making and event planning. Marisa is part of DRC's Leadership Team and works to uplift the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the office and DRC's communications.

‍

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

‍

In her free time, Marisa loves traveling, being a professional photographer, reading, learning languages, biking, and going on adventures with her husband and two boys.

Gen manages the Water Leasing Program, Instream Transfers, 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. Gen currently sits on the board of directors 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.

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.  Having worked with a variety of organizations focused on natural resource projects, law, and policy, he is excited to bring his skillset and passion to the DRC team.

‍

Outside the office, Jacob enjoys time in the outdoors, playing guitar, and cooking for his friends and family.

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

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.

‍

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.

‍

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 skiing, kayaking and spending time with her husband and two kids.

Ben joined the DRC as a Development and Communications Coordinator in 2023. He is responsible for coordinating ​outreach initiatives, implementing communication strategies to the community, foster donor relations, promote brand visibility, and support fundraising efforts.

‍

Ben has an educational background in Environmental Communications from Colorado State University. For the past decade, he has shared his passion and enthusiasm for Central Oregon’s rivers as a fly fishing guide. It is now Ben’s hope to continue to foster positive relationships with water and community through work in the conservation field.

‍

The love for the outdoors extends to Ben’s free time as well. When there is snow on the ground, he can be found sliding around in the woods on cross country skis with his wife and dog. As days warm and snow melts, he heads to play on our rivers and dig in his garden.