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

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 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