It started with small moments: a burning river on a newsreel, tadpoles in a suburban pond, the tenacity of tiny eels, a revelation about environmental justice in a college classroom. For four women on American Rivers’ team in the Mid-Atlantic region, these seemingly minor encounters sparked a cascade of change. Today they are among the nation’s foremost river experts, helping revive hundreds of miles of waterways so nearby communities and nature can thrive. Their stories remind us that sometimes the most powerful environmental changes begin with a personal connection to water.
When asked what drew them to river conservation, each member reveals a unique path that led to the same calling. And like all river-loving conservationists, each had that defining moment when their work became more than a job – it became their mission. Here are their stories.
Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, Director of River Restoration
Lisa has helped transform rivers across Pennsylvania and West Virginia, contributing to 103 dam removal projects. She brings together communities, engineers, and conservationists to restore rivers to their natural state.
The spark: where it all began
For Lisa, it was a series of powerful images that shaped her future. “I can still see them in my mind’s eye,” she recalls. “As a teenager, I watched a news reel of the Cuyahoga River on fire. Later, I witnessed the starved Alcovy River downstream from an amenity lake where I’d once fished, swam, and ice skated. The riverside habitat had become a ghost forest because an earthen dam was hoarding its water.”
These early experiences coincided with watershed moments in environmental protection — Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. “These changes helped me envision a career dedicated to caring for the environment.”
Defining moments: why this work matters
In fifteen minutes, Lisa’s life changed forever. “We had just removed a failing dam on a tributary to the Allegheny River,” she remembers. “The dam had been blocking wild brook trout from reaching their headwaters since the 1940s. After the concrete dam came down and the big yellow equipment fell silent, I stood on the stream bank, watching the current flow freely for the first time in generations. Within fifteen minutes, the first brook trout appeared, swimming tentatively past where the dam had stood. It turned a couple of slow circles, as if checking out the improvements to the neighborhood. Then it shot up the channel in a silver flash — the first fish to ascend to home waters in many fish generations. As my tears flowed, I wished for safe passage for the trout and knew beyond all doubt that reconnecting rivers was my life’s work.
Lia Mastropolo, Director of Clean Water Supply
Lia partners with cities, states, and organizations along the East Coast to develop programs that reduce river pollution while strengthening the resilience of cities in the face of climate change. Her expertise in federal and local initiatives helps transform policy into action, ensuring that clean, healthy rivers remain accessible to everyone.
The spark: where it all began
For Lia, the connection to water started early. “Whenever I’m outdoors, I’m most interested in being near water,” she says. “When I was a kid that meant catching tadpoles in the pond at the center of my subdivision and finding every seep and spring in the woods behind my house. Looking back, all those waters were polluted, but I didn’t know that then — they were simply magical, mysterious places to me. It was only later in my twenties, when I was hired to do admin work for a local nature preserve, that I learned you could actually get a job working with rivers.”
Defining moments: why this work matters
Between city blocks and behind houses, Lia finds magic in urban waterways. “Last fall I had the opportunity to lead a group of young people along Cobbs Creek in Philadelphia as part of a career discovery program. We were looking for signs of pollution and erosion, and we certainly found that. But we also found some incredibly beautiful sections of stream and forest, hidden away behind the houses. The sound of the water running over rocks took me immediately out of the noise of the city. I thought, if we can make places like this cleaner, safer, and more accessible, we can all have that feeling of discovery right in our back yards. That’s what really excites me about this work.”
Jessie Thomas-Blate, Director of River Restoration
Jessie excels in turning river restoration data into compelling stories of success. By documenting dam removals and their benefits, she helps communities and partners across the country envision what’s possible when rivers flow free.
The spark: where it all began
For Jessie, the path to river conservation started with a love of animals. “In my junior year of college, studying in Costa Rica opened my eyes to the world of conservation,” she recalls. “It was then I decided that I needed to fight to keep incredible species and habitats thriving. Later, in graduate school, I discovered the fascinating dynamics of water ecosystems and the incredible creatures living right in our backyard. Along my journey at American Rivers, I learned about river restoration and the impacts of dams on both natural and human communities. I realized I could help both people and wildlife become more resilient — and maybe get to legally blow something up from time to time!”
Defining moments: why this work matters
Tiny eels taught Jessie about persistence. “During my first hardhat experience at the Harvell Dam removal on the Appomattox River, I watched tiny eels squirming through construction debris, determined to move upstream,” she recalls. “Nearly a decade later, after removing Bloede Dam, Maryland officials documented tens of thousands of eels using a ladder at Daniels Dam upstream — compared to just a handful before. These resilient creatures, so determined to reach their destination, remind me to keep moving around hurdles and never give up.”
Corinne Butler, Program Director
Corinne combines her expertise in ecology with a deep commitment to environmental justice, ensuring conservation efforts benefit all communities. Her experience in field research, community organizing, and project management helps strengthen connections between rivers and the people who depend on them.
Where it all began
For Corinne, her connection to environmentalism formed in a college class that introduced the concept of the environment’s impact on human health and health disparities. What began as a pivot from chemistry to environmental science evolved into a deeper mission — understanding the intersection of environmental justice and conservation. “I have been drawn to this work to make meaningful change in the world,” she shares.
Defining moments: why this work matters
On each restored river, Corinne sees a community transformed. “Working alongside experienced leaders in the field, I’ve witnessed how restoration creates meaningful change,” she shares. “These projects create opportunities for people to connect with nature, especially in areas that have historically lacked access. That’s exactly why I do this work.”
These four stories remind us that every river champion starts with a moment of connection — what is yours?
