Staff

Email:  kwallace@umrba.org 

Kirsten Wallace manages UMRBA’s policy development and advocacy, communications, program activities, and administration of its financial and personnel matters.  Kirsten facilitates and fosters interagency coordination, cooperation, and communication as well as serves as the liaison with other organizations and government agencies.  

On behalf of UMRBA, Kirsten serves on the Board of the Interstate Council on Water Policy, America's Watershed Initiative, and the National Waterways Foundation.

Kirsten's favorite spot on the river is from the view of the pilot house, especially passing by tributary confluences.

Email:  bstenquist@umrba.org  

Brian Stenquist transforms UMRBA’s strategic goals into highly impactful processes and outcomes and promotes integration and collaboration among UMRBA individual programmatic efforts as well as related efforts led by UMRBA’s partners.  Stenquist provides counsel to the Executive Director in its support to the UMRBA Board and, in partnership with the Executive Director, provides supervision, leadership, and assistance to five to seven UMRBA personnel in their efforts to achieve highly impactful processes and outcomes.  

Email:  lsalvato@umrba.org 

Lauren Salvato helps to lead UMRBA's efforts to improve and sustain the availability of clean water in the Upper Mississippi River basin for people, fish, and wildlife.  In this role, Lauren supports interjurisdictional cooperation planning and action and leads the implementation of the 2022-2035 UMRBA Water Quality Program Plan.  

Lauren's favorite place in the Upper Mississippi River Basin is the driftless area. 

Natalie Lenzen joined UMRBA as Operations Manager in spring 2022, maximizing and strengthening the internal capacity of the Association as a well-respected, high-impact organization.  Natalie works on all things administrative, assists in external communications, and arranges our meetings and workshops. 

Natalie enjoys cooking and traveling with her family.  She also spends a lot of free time fishing and riding trails with her husband.  Natalie has two daughters and a son as well as a Dogo Argentino named Duke.

Email:  kpetersen@umrba.org 

Ken Petersen supports UMRBA's efforts to protect the water resources within the Upper Mississippi River basin.  Ken creates mapping and planning products primarily in support of hazardous spills emergency response.  Ken also provides geospatial expertise and products to support UMRBA's strategic goals.

Ken is a lifelong learner and an avid observer of the natural world.  Ken especially enjoys photographing wildlife and landscapes.  A favorite spot on the Mississippi River is Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.

Email:  ltalbert@umrba.org 

Laura Talbert helps to coordinate UMRBA’s efforts to improve and sustain navigation and ecosystem resources throughout the Upper Mississippi River System.  In this role, Laura facilitates convenes interjurisdictional and interdisciplinary planning forums, fosters the participation of nongovernmental entities and potentially affected interests, and drafts and coordinates multi-organization communications.

Laura enjoys travelling off the beaten path, reading in her hammock, and eating as much sugar as possible. 

Email:  mellis@umrba.org 

Mark Ellis helps to lead UMRBA's efforts to protect the water resources within the Upper Mississippi River basin.  In this role, Mark convenes interjurisdictional and interdisciplinary planning forums and creates mapping and other tools to improve hazardous spill response planning, response, and prevention.  In addition, Mark coordinates UMRBA’s spatial analysis and mapping needs in support of UMRBA’s policy and programmatic priorities.

Mark enjoys sightseeing and hiking the trails along the Mississippi River bluffs at Effigy Mounds National Monument, near Harper’s Ferry, Iowa.

Email:  tleske@umrba.org 

Tyler Leske supports UMRBA's efforts to protect the water resources within the Upper Mississippi River basin.  Tyler creates mapping and planning products primarily in support of hazardous spills emergency response.  Tyler also provides geospatial expertise and products to support UMRBA's strategic goals.

Tyler is an avid fisherman, chasing walleye in Pool 2 and Pool 4 all year long.

Email Sam

Sam Hund supports UMRBA's efforts to protect the water resources within the Upper Mississippi River basin.  Sam creates mapping and planning products primarily in support of hazardous spills emergency response.  Sam also provides geospatial expertise and products to support UMRBA's strategic goals.

Sam loves fishing, cooking, and going to 'Cars and Coffee' events.