
Hope Taylor
Executive Director, hope [at] cwfnc.orgAfter a 25 year research career in physical biochemistry at National Institutes of Health and Duke University, Hope completed an MSPH degree at UNC School of Public Health, then began providing technical assistance to communities at Superfund sites…
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Executive Director, Durham and Asheville Offices
After a 25 year research career in physical biochemistry at National Institutes of Health and Duke University, Hope completed an MSPH degree at UNC School of Public Health, then began providing technical assistance to communities at Superfund sites. She became Executive Director of Clean Water for North Carolina, a science based Environmental Justice organization, in 1999. She has worked on issues ranging from water and sewer privatization to protection of well users, to preventing hydraulic fracturing and unneeded, damaging oil and gas infrastructure. A member of EPA’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council from 2009 to 2012, Hope has focused on rural safe drinking water issues. She is also a dairy goat farmer and works to deepen CWFNC ties with rural communities across the state to protect our surface and ground water.
hope [at] cwfnc.org

Belinda Joyner
Northeastern OrganizerJoyner 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…
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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.

Amanda Strawderman
Polluter Accountability Program & Office Manager, amanda [at] cwfnc.orgAmanda’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…
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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 Velez
Communications & Water Justice Program Manager, rachel [at] cwfnc.orgRachel 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 […]
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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 Cline
Environmental Justice Organizer / Researcher, shelby [at] cwfnc.orgShelby 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 […]
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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 her 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

Christine Diaz
Environmental Justice Organizer / ResearcherChristine grew up in Harlem, New York and relocated to North Carolina to study at Davidson College, where she graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. As an activist and advocate for social and environmental justice issues, she has worked on projects relating to public transit and accessibility, as well as projects involving […]
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Board of Directors
Marshall Tyler
Oriental, NC
Chair
Anita Simha
Cary, NC
Vice Chair
Nathanette Mayo
Shiloh, NC
Emma Sellers
Charlotte, NC

Back row: Staff: Hope Taylor, Katie Hicks, Xavier Boatright. Board members: Nathanette Mayo, Marshall Tyler, Andrea Emanuel, Robert Hamilton, Steve Gurley. Front row: Nydia Morales, Tina Motley-Pearson.