Our Board of Directors
Sandra Soto, President
Sandra is a public health researcher and understands the value of being active outdoors and the impact of nature on a person's well-being. She also has a passion for preserving and growing local ecosystems, which is what drew her to the mission of Lands & Waters South.
Sandra is a public health researcher and understands the value of being active outdoors and the impact of nature on a person's well-being. She also has a passion for preserving and growing local ecosystems, which is what drew her to the mission of Lands & Waters South.
Allie Lee, Treasurer
Allie is the STEM & Outdoor Learning Coordinator at Kidzu Children's Museum. She has a degree in Biology and is currently undergoing training to become a certified Master Naturalist. Her role at Lands & Waters South allows her to pursue her passion of gardening, nature education, and being outdoors.
Allie is the STEM & Outdoor Learning Coordinator at Kidzu Children's Museum. She has a degree in Biology and is currently undergoing training to become a certified Master Naturalist. Her role at Lands & Waters South allows her to pursue her passion of gardening, nature education, and being outdoors.
Acacia Blair, Secretary
Acacia is passionate about native plants and animals and their critical role they have in our communities. She has a background with non-profits and animal welfare in California and is learning about the complex biodiversity in the Southeast. She enjoys traveling, being out in the community and meeting new people.
Acacia is passionate about native plants and animals and their critical role they have in our communities. She has a background with non-profits and animal welfare in California and is learning about the complex biodiversity in the Southeast. She enjoys traveling, being out in the community and meeting new people.
Lisa Valdivia
Lisa is a dynamic nonprofit leader, environmental advocate, and travel planner dedicated to connecting people to nature and creating transformative experiences that inspire positive environmental and social change. With expertise in donor engagement, sustainable tourism, and outdoor recreation, she has managed impactful programs at organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund where she inspired donor stewardship and support for climate and conservation initiatives. Lisa holds a Master’s in Environmental
Management from Duke University, along with a certificate in Nonprofit Management, and previously led a statewide non-profit organization in North Carolina focused on building community and reducing food inequities through community gardening. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and two young children and is thrilled to support the Lands and Waters South mission by serving on the board.
Lisa is a dynamic nonprofit leader, environmental advocate, and travel planner dedicated to connecting people to nature and creating transformative experiences that inspire positive environmental and social change. With expertise in donor engagement, sustainable tourism, and outdoor recreation, she has managed impactful programs at organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund where she inspired donor stewardship and support for climate and conservation initiatives. Lisa holds a Master’s in Environmental
Management from Duke University, along with a certificate in Nonprofit Management, and previously led a statewide non-profit organization in North Carolina focused on building community and reducing food inequities through community gardening. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and two young children and is thrilled to support the Lands and Waters South mission by serving on the board.
Jeanette O'Connor, Executive Director
Jeanette began Lands and Waters South as a way to merge her passion for native plants, birds, and education. With a background in Wildlife Science, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Landscaping, she loves spending the day planting gardens with children and listening to their shouts of delight over the worms and snakes they find as they work.
Jeanette began Lands and Waters South as a way to merge her passion for native plants, birds, and education. With a background in Wildlife Science, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Landscaping, she loves spending the day planting gardens with children and listening to their shouts of delight over the worms and snakes they find as they work.
Kaitlyn Serrano
Kaitlyn is a bank examiner and an advocate for equitable community development, affordable housing, and consumer rights in the financial services industry. She has a Master's in Social Work and Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. She joined Lands & Waters South to build community, learn more about native landscaping, and to improve access to (and appreciation of) green spaces.
Kaitlyn is a bank examiner and an advocate for equitable community development, affordable housing, and consumer rights in the financial services industry. She has a Master's in Social Work and Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. She joined Lands & Waters South to build community, learn more about native landscaping, and to improve access to (and appreciation of) green spaces.
