Staff

Lisa Shipek, Executive Director

Since 2006, Lisa Shipek has served as the Executive Director of Watershed Management Group.  Lisa has expertise in developing training programs for professionals; developing environmental education programs for adults and children; and collaborating with a diverse range of partners to implement community-based environmental projects. Lisa directs fundraising, strategic development and outreach activities for WMG. She manages several of WMG’s programs including the unique Tucson Conserve to Enhance program, which links individual water conservation savings with local river restoration, and WMG’s Water Harvesting Certification program that trains professionals from throughout the United States and abroad. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.A. in Latin American Studies. Lisa believes low-tech, community-based solutions can solve today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through her work with WMG, she is particularly interested in developing environmental programs that improve quality of life in urban areas.

Kyle Brown, Workshop Instructor

Kyle has worked in a number of roles as an Environmental Scientist, Hydrologist,and Sustainability Educator. He holds a B.S. in Geological Sciences and an M.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources from the University of Arizona. As a graduate student, Kyle worked under a Science Foundation Arizona Fellowship investigating the effects of agricultural contaminants on groundwater quality in central Washington State. Since that time he has been increasingly involved in community-based efforts to implement green infrastructure in the Southwest. Through WMG, he has found a true passion for integrating his hydrology expertise with regenerative landscape-design principles and local-foods production. Beyond WMG he is a dedicated musician, runner, and dog-lover.

Jared Buono, Senior Hydrology Scientist

Jared is a co-founder of Watershed Management Group and holds a M.Sc. in Watershed Management and a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management. He has conducted ecohydrology research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service and has implemented community-based conservation programs in the U.S. Peace Corps. He has also managed projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Jared is currently working on international program development and establishing WMG's office in India.

Allen Denomy, Co-op Instructor

Allen passionately celebrates southern Arizona’s environment through his landscape design work and interests. A University of Arizona graduate from the School of Fine Arts and WMG-certified in advanced water harvesting techniques, Allen incorporates alternative materials and water harvesting practices into his landscape design work. His designs converge high-end aesthetic qualities with environmentally conscious landscapes. Allen is also a proficient graphic designer, CAD drafter, and a professional artist. Allen provides workshop instruction and design services for WMG.

James DeRoussel, Project Manager

James’ interest in sustainability has grown out of a diversity of experience in the landscape industry since 1997. After earning a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University, James moved to Tucson in 2001. In the ensuing years, he filled a variety of roles in landscape design, consultation and construction before founding ForeSite LLC, a landscape architectural firm, in 2009. In addition to a strong design background, he provides expertise in residential and commercial development, code compliance, native plants and revegetation. As a Project Manager with WMG, James is active in client consultation and in the Certification and Co-op programs. James is an avid outdoorsman and volunteer in southern Arizona.

Alley Yerger-Hendricks, Apprentice Instructor

Alley's love of nature began as a child running barefoot in the McDowell Mountains and shoveling steer manure into her dad’s organic garden. She founded a landscape design company, Ecological Design Group, LLC, that incorporates re-purposed materials, alternative building and water conservation in its designs. Her diverse educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Landscape Architecture, and a master's in Environmental Planning.  Alley is an apprentice with WMG and has completed the Water Harvesting Certification and Green Infrastructure Programs.  As a mom to spirited twin girls, Alley’s philosophy is that the best teaching she can give her children is leading through example and continuing to learn new things.  In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors with her family and trail running.

Sky Jacobs, IT Coordinator

Sky is a southwest native who is tied to the Sky Island and Sonoran Desert regions. He has worked primarily as a naturalist, administrator, and website developer for many organizations including Sky Island Alliance, The University of Arizona, SWCA Biological Consultants, National Park Service, and Arizona Mining Reform Coalition. Sky tries to protect the region's biodiversity through conservation action as well as important lifestyle choices. Sky's time is often spent exploring the wildest and most remote parts of AZ and Sonora, attempting photography, studying birds and plants, brewing beer, and playing with native vegetation in his yard.

Brad Lancaster, Senior Watershed Specialist

Brad is a dynamic teacher, consultant, and designer of regenerative systems. He is the author of the award-winning, best-selling book series Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, the information-packed website www.HarvestingRainwater.com, and the Drops in a Bucket Blog. He lives his talk on an oasis-like eighth of an acre in downtown Tucson, Arizona, by harvesting over 100,000 gallons of rainwater a year where just 12 inches per year falls from the sky. 

James MacAdam, Green Streets and Certification Project Manager

Since earning a degree in Environmental Studies from Prescott College in 2001, James has pursued a diverse career as a naturalist, plant biologist, yoga instructor, freelance writer and sustainability advocate.  The common thread throughout it all has been his love for people and nature, and a desire to bring the two together.  James is certified in Permaculture Design, and is a LEED-Accredited Professional.  His work with WMG currently centers on a pilot project in a Tucson neighborhood to teach and empower residents to improve water quality in their own streets, yards and local washes.

Julie Miller, Development and Communications Director

Julie brings to WMG more than 15 years' experience working in outreach and education, from teaching college writing and leading environmental education programs to directing fundraising and communications campaigns for a national endangered species advocacy nonprofit. She holds an M.A. in Environmental Education and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arizona, and an M.A. in Literature from Indiana University. A Tucson native with a deep-rooted love for the Sonoran Desert region and its native plants, Julie first came to WMG as a member of our co-op; now she’s thrilled to work full-time to bring Watershed's mission and all our programs to a growing community of supporters. When she’s not dirt-worshipping in her desert gardens with her dogs, Julie also enjoys cycling and bicycle advocacy; hiking and backpacking; and wildlife watching and photography.

Karilyn Roach, Program Coordinator

Karilyn coordinates WMG's work with the Conserve to Enhance program and Tucson's new Community Water Coalition. Karilyn comes to WMG with a passionate understanding of the power of individuals to have an impact on their community and environment. Years of climbing, mountain biking and camping cemented Karilyn’s love of the outdoors and passion for environmental conservation. As a Tucson transplant, she is intrigued by the challenges and rewards of gardening in the desert and looks forward to many years of bountiful harvests. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and will be graduating in December from the University of Arizona with an M.S. in Planning and a certificate in Heritage Conservation.

Adam Schwartz, Workshop Instructor

After owning a business in New York City for several years, Adam completed a series of classes on solar energy and installation of solar-energy systems. Inspired, he traveled to rural northern Argentina to intern on a sustainable-living farm. Adam quickly became passionate about teaching people how to implement green-living practices in other communities -- including in the desert Southwest, where he has spent a large part of his life. Upon returning to Tucson in 2010, Adam discovered WMG's Green Living Co-op as a volunteer, completed our Water Harvesting Certification Training, and joined our staff. Adam has also been a massage therapist for 15 years and continues to practice.

Catlow Shipek, Senior Program Manager

Catlow Shipek is a founding member of WMG. Catlow and fellow co-founders based the philosophy of WMG on the watershed model using water as a link to bring stakeholders together. He received a MSc in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. Past work at the Southwest Watershed Research Center with the USDA Agricultural Research Service has given him a depth of experience in soil erosion and sedimentation processes on southwestern rangelands. Catlow currently serves on Tucson's Citizen's Water Advisory Committee.

Joe Silins, Project Coordinator and Workshop Instructor

Joe was first drawn to WMG by the community-centric focus of the organization's programs, and by the diverse set of partners and participants that these programs engage.  Prior to his involvement with WMG, Joe was involved in several water conservation projects along the Arizona-Sonora border, and received a MS in Planning from the University of Arizona.  In addition to his interest in water conservation, Joe's professional interests include community development and affordable housing, and he's gaining valuable experience in these areas in his current position with the Pima County Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation Department.  In his free time, Joe enjoys running, swimming, camping, salsa dancing, and enjoying Tucson's gorgeous mountain views.

Rhiwena Slack, Program Coordinator

Rhiwena has worked with our Green Living Co-op program since early 2010, becoming Co-op Coordinator in May of that year. Rhiwena has since expanded her role within WMG to coordinate both our Water Harvesting Certification and Watershed Technical Trainings. Rhiwena has nearly 15 years of experience working for environmental nonprofits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental toxicology and a master’s degree in energy and environmental studies focusing on land use and soils. She also completed a permaculture-design certification in Tucson. When she’s not coordinating projects for WMG, she teaches and practices yoga, takes her dog on long walks and gets about by bike.

Julie Slayton Frank, Administrative Associate

Julie is new to Tucson, having moved here in July 2011 from New Hampshire, bringing over 20 years of non-profit management experience with her. Her most recent position as Administrator at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Portsmouth introduced her to sustainability issues through their Green Sanctuary program. By setting up and implementing environmentally friendly protocols, a passion was ignited.  Now, with WMG, Julie hopes to expand her knowledge in rainwater harvesting and storm water management.  In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, cooking, and exploring Tucson with her husband.

Sowmya Somnath, Engineer/Sanitation Specialist

Sowmya is a founding member of WMG.  She is a registered Professional Engineer with a decade of structural engineering experience working on diverse design and construction projects in the US.  She is a  former Indicorps Fellow and has implemented rural sanitation infrastructure development and hygiene education projects in India and Africa. She is also a professional mentor for Engineers without Borders on a multi-year drinking water slow sand filtration project in Mafi Zongo, Ghana.  She is starting up the WMG India office with Jared Buono.

Tory Syracuse, Schoolyard Coordinator & Project Manager

Tory's love of the outdoors began in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she grew up exploring the mountains and canyons of the Colorado Plateau. A passionate teacher, Tory has worked as an environmental educator in California and Arizona, and as a high school and college instructor in Tucson, which she has now called home for six years. Her professional experience also includes work with both public entities and non-profits in the areas of sustainability, community development, and conservation. She holds an MS in Urban Planning and an MFA in Creative Writing, both from the University of Arizona, and a BA in English from Northern Arizona University. As the Schoolyard Coordinator and a Project Manager for WMG, she coordinates projects to implement rainwater harvesting, schoolyard gardens, and outdoor classrooms, along with related curricula, at local schools.

Barbara Wishingrad, Santa Barbara Co-op Program Manager

Barbara is a Permaculture designer and longtime environmental steward with a special interest in water.  She completed the Water Harvesting Practitioner Certificate with WMG in July 2009 and was videographer for a Water Harvesting Course the following year.  She is an ARCSA Accredited Professional and received additional training in Greywater Design and Installation through Greywater Action.  Barbara is currently developing a WMG Co-op in Santa Barbara, CA, where she makes her home. Barbara has years of experience as an educator and advocate of holistic, sustainable systems for individuals as well as the broader environment.  She is a UC Berkeley graduate in History.

Ryan Wood, Apprentice Instructor

Ryan is a Certified Water Harvesting Practitioner, Permaculture Designer, and a Master Watershed Steward. With an Associates of Applied Technology Degree from ITT, Ryan has a background in architecture and landscape design and is currently working as a graphic/web designer. Ryan co-teaches the Permaculture Design Course water harvesting segment with Don Titmus and has served as a Project Manager for Arizona Homegrown Solutions. Ryan enjoys gardening, composting, herding chickens, and sharing the surplus.

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INTERN PROFILES

Joanie Sawyer, Development Intern