With over 20 years of environmental education and experience, Veronica is excited to join the team as Executive Director of Clean Water for North Carolina, a science-based Environmental Justice nonprofit.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida, Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, and Master of Laws from the prestigious Lewis & Clark Law School, focusing on Environmental Law.

Veronica grew up speaking Spanish in south Florida, and has practiced law and policy for 10 years, concentrating on environmental, land use, and real estate issues with her number one passion being water resources.  She has written laws requiring pollution notification in the oil and gas sector and comprehensive spring watershed safeguards, as well as helped government agencies meet their legal and regulatory environmental duties.  Veronica brings this background and knowledge with her to the environmental justice field, having previously worked on disparate air toxicity impacts to EJ communities. She is committed to continuing Clean Water for North Carolina’s work for both rural and urbanized communities alike.

Veronica is a mother to a rambunctious son, four large rescue pups, and a flock of chickens.  She loves to hike and kayak with her husband, and rib at him during football season in a house divided over rival teams.

veronica [at] cwfnc.org

Northeastern Organizer, Garysburg

Belinda grew up in Northampton County and has worked as a teacher’s assistant specializing in reading skills. She has been involved in numerous local environmental struggles and has been an effective organizer against threats including a liquid fertilizer plant, a hazardous waste incinerator and a private prison, with a strong history of grassroots fundraising for diverse causes.

Program Coordinator/Office Manager, Asheville Office

Amanda’s roots are firmly set in the Appalachian Mountains through her heritage and love of the land and people. She became involved in environmental advocacy when she learned how the destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal mining was threatening mountain communities and ecosystems. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geographic Science and Environmental Studies from James Madison University in 2008 and a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville in 2018. Having been a long-time volunteer at various environmental and social justice non-profit organizations, she is pleased to join the staff at Clean Water for North Carolina to take part in the effort to promote clean, safe water for the people of North Carolina.

amanda [at] cwfnc.org

Rachel has spent most of her adult life living abroad and working on various public health projects, specifically focused on water and sanitation access and affordability. After graduating with her master’s degree in Sustainable Development Practice from the University of Florida, she moved to the Research Triangle to become more involved in domestic environmental health research and the environmental justice movement. As the Communications Manager/Environmental Justice Organizer for Clean Water for NC, Rachel plans to utilize her background in community organizing and program communications to further CWFNC’s mission and goals.

rachel [at] cwfnc.org

Shelby grew up outside of Atlanta and is a recent graduate of Davidson College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. They have spent the past few years engaged with sustainable agriculture efforts in the Southeast, ranging from migrant farmworker advocacy in North Carolina to local, community farming on Sapelo Island, Georgia. After being introduced to environmental justice during their first year of college, they’ve been interested in the connection between people and nature, specifically the disproportionate effects of environmental degradation on low-income and minority populations. Shelby is dedicated as the Environmental Justice Researcher and Organizer to actively inform people on the issues Clean Water for NC addresses through its mission and various projects.

shelby[at]cwfnc.org