Episode Summary

Today’s guest is Lisa Raleigh, Executive Director of RiverLink, a nonprofit based in Asheville that champions the health, accessibility, and resilience of the French Broad River and its watershed.

A trained geologist and hydrologist with a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Oklahoma, Lisa’s path has wound through nonprofit advancement, outdoor industry communications, and community leadership. Since arriving at RiverLink in 2021, she has guided the organization through major milestones — from the opening of Karen Cragnolin Park to the evolving role RiverLink now plays in post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

In this conversation, Lisa and host Brett Mayer explore the intersections of science, story, and stewardship: how rivers shape community identity, how resilience is being redefined in a changing climate, and how each of us can help create healthier waterways.

Episode Highlights

• Lisa’s early experiences in Montana and the path that led her to study geology and hydrology
• Lessons learned from decades in nonprofit leadership and community engagement
• The opening of Karen Cragnolin Park as a symbol of restoration and access along the French Broad
• How Hurricane Helene revealed both vulnerabilities and collective strength across Western North Carolina
• The evolving concept of “making room for rivers” in the age of climate change
• Finding personal balance, hope, and renewal in the work of resilience

About Lisa Raleigh

Lisa is a scientist, fundraiser, and outdoor enthusiast who brings a lifelong love of nature and a deep commitment to environmental and social justice to her leadership at RiverLink. Before joining the organization, she spent more than a decade as the Director of Advancement at Colorado Rocky Mountain School, co-founded Backbone Media, and worked as a nonprofit fundraising consultant.

A Montana native who lived in Colorado for 30 years before relocating to Asheville, Lisa is also a trail runner, climber, road biker, and proud mother of two daughters, Sunni and Belle.

Resources & Mentions

• RiverLink
• Blue Ridge Public Radio – Cleaning Up the French Broad after Helene
• Edible Asheville – A Force of Nature: A Conversation with Lisa Raleigh
• Karen Cragnolin Park

Mentioned in this episode:

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