Z’s roots are set in the Appalachian Mountains through their heritage and love of the land and people. Their journey into environmental advocacy began when they learned how the destructive process of mountaintop removal coal mining was threatening mountain communities and ecosystems. Committed to fight against harmful industry practices, Z spent several years working in coalition with impacted communities facing threats to drinking water. They joined CleanAIRE NC in 2023 as the Environmental Justice Manager to continue that work, focusing on air quality impacts.

Z has always been a geographer at heart studying the interplay between the physical landscape and natural and human history. A long-time collector of maps and travel books, Z earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography (GIS and Environmental Studies) at James Madison University where they learned the art and science of making maps. They spent several years as a GIS technician and analyst in the public sector and later completed a Masters degree in Sustainability at Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville.

Z has leaned on their expertise in mapping to work with communities to test and provide feedback on public mapping tools, eventually co-leading the AirKeeper Dashboard project for CleanAIRE NC. Now as the AirKeeper Dashboard and GIS Manager, Z works with communities to hold polluters accountable through data and mapping.

In their free time Z studies natural history and is trained as a Master Naturalist and environmental educator. When not at work, you can usually find (or not find) Z out on the road, on the trails, in the woods, or on the water somewhere in Appalachia.