OHIO RIVER FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Educator / Chief Scientist
Bernie started with ORF in 2008 and is one of our more seasoned educators. In addition to working as part of the River Explorer Team,... Learn More
Job Titles:
- Development & Communications Manager
Bethany joined ORF in 2021 and leads ORF corporate relationship and membership development. She will also be responsible for ORF marketing and communications.
Bethany has more than a decade of public relations and communications experience serving B2B and B2C clients in a variety of verticals through compelling public relations strategies and tactics. Over the course of her career, she has worked with clients and projects in the professional services, economic development, technology, commercial real estate, food & beverage, and nonprofit industries.
A Covington, Kentucky resident, Miller enjoys hiking and exploring Cincinnati's great area parks, yoga, volunteering, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President / Attorney, Frost Brown Todd, LLC
Job Titles:
- Lead Educator / Education Programs Coordinator
Evan climbed aboard ORF in 2012 excited to help inspire students with the value of our natural world. Evan began cultivating her knowledge and abilities at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007, as her passion for nature intersected with her yearning to teach kids about the wonders of nature. She holds a BA in Environmental Geography from the University of Cincinnati. When in a new place she loves to explore the uniqueness of its natural environment, from flora and fauna, to landscape and soil. Evan loves passing the time outdoors, especially hiking and birding.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice President - Environmental, Health and Safety, Valvoline, Inc
Job Titles:
- Restoration Program Manager / Lead Educator
Jessica found her way to ORF's River Explorer Program through her love of teaching about (and in) the wondrous outdoors. One of her favorite things to do is study how people interact with their natural world, especially with the one thing that connects us all: water. She graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2018 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in biology. When not working with ORF, Jessica can be found outdoors either in a garden, or a kayak.
Jessica found her way to ORF's River Explorer Program through her love of teaching about (and in) the wondrous outdoors. One of her favorite things... Learn More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director of Product Development, Graeter 's Ice Cream
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Independent Consultant & Former Regional President - Huntington Bank
Job Titles:
- Education Programs Manager
- Member of the Team
Melinda became a member of the team in early 2023 and is thrilled to be leading the effort to engage students and teachers in ORF's Education Programs. She comes to us from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Education Department as their Senior Manager with many years of experience in leadership and Environmental Education.
Her leadership style is focused on cultivating a culture of shared vision, adaptability, stamina, innovation, trust, and most importantly fun! Her approach to environmental education begins with instilling a sense of wonder and empathy for nature with audiences, then imparting knowledge and inspiring action and environmentally significant behavior change.
Melinda has also led Master's courses with Miami University's Earth Expeditions program taking her to in-situ conservation field sites all over the world including Kenya, Namibia and Baja Mexico.
Melinda and her family live on the west side of Cincinnati on their 4th generation, low-impact, regenerative farm. In her free time, she loves spending time in the fields, woods, and streams with her two young children as well as gardening, riding horses, and goofing off outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director, Sustainability at Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc
Rich is responsible for the overall direction of ORF, including supervising an amazing staff. In addition to working with ORF trustees to strengthen the organization's financial health, program offerings, and fundraising opportunities, he is the event director for ORF's signature event, the Cincinnati Coffee Festival. Rich also heads up ORF's restoration and advocacy efforts. In his spare time, Rich enjoys hiking, biking, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and two children.
A co-founder of Ohio River Foundation, Rich was formerly an assistant city solicitor with the City of Cincinnati, specializing in environmental law. Prior to arriving in Cincinnati, Rich worked in NYC in the corporate world handling professional liability cases. He also served as pro-bono counsel for NYC Audubon Society and Transportation Alternatives. Academically, Rich received his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School, his Masters in Environmental Law (LLM) from Pace University, and B.S. in biology from the State University of New York at Albany.
Job Titles:
- Donor Relations and Volunteer Manager / Lead Educator
Sara is a multi-year veteran who joined ORF in 2010. Her passion for nature and the outdoors began as a child and she has always felt a connection to water. She received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Northern Kentucky University where her focus was in aquatic biology. Sara is passionate about teaching our youth about the importance of conserving our environment as well as showing them how much fun it can be to explore the outdoors! She is mostly involved with leading our River Explorer field trips, but also helps to plan and organize events we have throughout the year such as our annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival. When she is not working for ORF, you will most likely find her spending time with her family and enjoying the mom-life.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Digital Education Development Manager, Dentsply Sirona
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual