Episode 8

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Published on:

31st Oct 2025

The Lisa Raleigh Story: Finding Our Link with the River

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.

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About the Podcast

Following Waters
Life on and off the water.

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Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.