Staff & Board

Michael Washburn has served as Executive Director of Kentucky Waterways Alliance since December 2022, leading a period of significant organizational growth and expanded statewide influence. During his tenure, KWA has grown revenue from roughly $400,000 to over $1 million, increased staff capacity, and strengthened its role at the intersection of environmental policy, watershed restoration, and community engagement.

Michael’s leadership focuses on protecting waterways and the communities that depend on them—aligning policy, philanthropy, and public engagement to prevent pollution, restore damaged streams, and support long-term public and environmental health. Under his direction, KWA has expanded its policy advocacy, advanced restoration initiatives, and increased its visibility as a trusted voice on water issues in Kentucky and the broader Ohio River Basin.
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Prior to KWA, Michael served as Director of Programs at Humanities New York, where he led statewide initiatives supported by national funders, including the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, focused on democracy, climate change, and social infrastructure.

Michael is the author of Southern Accents (Bloomsbury Academic, 2019), part of the 33⅓ music series, and has written for outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Louisville Public Media. He is a 2025–26 Alden Fellow with the Community Foundation of Louisville.

A native Kentuckian, Michael was educated at the University of Chicago and the University of Louisville, and lives in Louisville with his wife and son.

Lois joined KWA as the Red Bird River Coordinator in January of 2024. In her position she will manage KWA’s Red Bird River Septic & Education Project, including overseeing the repair or replacement of septic systems and providing educational opportunities for residents of the watershed. This project is part of a watershed plan completed in 2016 by KWA, with the help of partners and stakeholders. Lois has lived on the Red Bird River or its tributaries her whole life (except for a period of time right out of high school), has lifelong relationships with people in the watershed, and personally understands the challenges impacting in the area.Lois says, “I look forward to continuing that work and serving the people of my community.”

Susan joined the KWA team as Community Engagement Director in October of 2021. She is a native of Louisville and graduate of the University of Dayton where she studied social work and English literature. Her professional career has been dedicated to nonprofit service at social service and environmental organizations in Louisville. Susan is also a photographer and author of the book, Looking for the Sun at Merton’s Corner, a Collection of Portraits. Over the years, Susan has spent as much of her free time as possible canoeing, kayaking, and boating on Kentucky’s beautiful rivers and creeks. Susan is looking forward to furthering KWA’s mission by increasing our engagement with current and future volunteers, donors, partners, and communities. If you or your organization would like to partner with KWA to protect, restore, and celebrate your favorite Kentucky waterway give Susan a call or send her an email. She will be happy to talk with you about how we can work together!

Meg joined the KWA team as Business Manager in March 2023. Her experience is in nonprofit theatre and dance management, supporting the work of artists including Liz Lerman, Woodshed Collective, and the TEAM and managing productions across the U.S., off-Broadway, and the West End. Meg grew up in Arizona, where she thought a lot about the lack of water in the desert, and she has since made her home near rivers, including the Potomac, Hudson, and Ohio. She holds a BFA in Stage Management from the University of Arizona, and an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University in New York. Meg spends as much time as possible baking and making jam, traveling to new places, hiking in U.S. National Parks, and jogging around Louisville.

​Laura Gregory joined the KWA team as the Red River Watershed Coordinator in May 2017 and became the Watershed Program Director in November 2022. She will be taking her experience in the Red River statewide to work with watershed groups all across Kentucky. As Director, Laura will be developing the Kentucky Watershed Network, a collaborative effort to support our allies in the world of Kentucky water, and will be leading our Ohio River work.

Born and raised in Denton, TX, Laura attended The University of Texas at Austin, receiving a B.A. in Geography. Since then she has rock climbed, backpacked, biked, worked migrant farm jobs, and played music across the country. She moved to Kentucky in 2009 after falling in love with the people, the place, the music, and the perfect climate for gardening.

​Nick Hart joined KWA as the Water Policy Director in October 2024. Prior to KWA, Nick built a career serving vulnerable communities while protecting public health and the environment. He has worked with the Louisville Legal Aid Society’s HIV/AIDS Legal Project, served as the Environmental Enforcement Coordinator and Community Compliance Supervisor for Louisville Metro’s Air Pollution Control District,and most recently, was the Director of Environmental Health for Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness. Nick is a native of Kentucky, completed his undergraduate studies at Eastern Kentucky University, followed by the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law where he was a founding member of the Environmental Law and Land Use Society.

In addition to volunteering with KWA for many years, Nick Hart also serves on the all-volunteer board of Kentucky Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and is a lifetime member of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen. As a former professional whitewater rafting guide for 10 years, Nick still spends as much time on the water as possible, and is an avid hunter, fisher, and outdoorsman.

He resides in Louisville with his wife and beagle hounds.

Eli Miller joined the KWA team as the Cleanup and Event Coordinator in April 2024, and he was promoted to GIS Analyst in March 2025. He is a recent graduate of the University of Louisville’s Masters in Sustainability program and plans to use his love for the natural world, experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and history of program organization to help the KWA in their pursuit of water resource protection and education. Eli was born in Anderson Indiana, but has explored much of the east coast during a successful thru hike on the Appalachian Trail in 2019. Since undergrad at Bellarmine University time working for the Parks Service in Smoky Mountain National Park, exploring the Appalachian Trail, and Colorado 14er summits have driven his passion for environmental stewardship and education. When not working, you can likely find Eli in the parklands with his beagle Toby and his wife, or at The Great Flood Brewing Co. enjoying a locally crafted pint with his friends.

Maggie joined the KWA team as the Red River Watershed Coordinator in January 2025. She is a Louisville native and relocated to the Red River Gorge six years ago. Maggie has a background in environmental education and believes that empowering our communities with knowledge and resources is one of the most effective ways to combat issues such as poor water quality. She is looking forward to deepening relationships within her community and hopes to help others strengthen their feelings of interconnectedness to the natural world. When not working, you can find her running with her dog, rock climbing, or kayaking with friends.

Ella joined the KWA team as the Salt River Watershed & Commonwealth Sweep Coordinator in March 2026. A passion for clean water and healthy communities has continually guided her steps and inspired her work. Ella pursued her Bachelors of Science from Florida State University, and then earned her Masters of Science in Sustainability from the University of Louisville. During her graduate work, she quickly developed a deep appreciation and love for the waterways of Kentucky. From researching the anthropogenic litter of Beargrass Creek and studying potential solutions within participatory sciences to ten-day paddling adventures on the Ohio River, those defining experiences have fueled her devotion to making the vision of healthy and resilient waterways a reality that every community can enjoy.