Meet Our Staff
Kim A. Lutz
Executive Director
Kim Lutz serves as the executive director of America’s Watershed Initiative. Since joining AWI in 2020, Kim has steered the creation of the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership and the 2020 Watershed Report Card, with a strong focus on building out robust partnerships across the Watershed and building organizational capacity.
Prior to her time with AWI, Kim initiated and successfully led two multi-state watershed programs along the Savannah and Connecticut Rivers with The Nature Conservancy. Under her leadership, these programs improved river flows, restored large-scale floodplain forests, protected more than 6,000 acres, and achieved a significant refuge expansion. She was a founding member and former chair of the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte Refuge, where she helped successfully build congressional relationships that resulted in $23 million in federal funding for the Connecticut River Watershed.
Kim obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wittenberg University where she majored in Biology and Psychology, and her Master of Science in Biology at the University of Cincinnati. Kim and her husband John, also a non-profit leader, have two adult children, both working in public administration consulting and energy policy. She enjoys hiking with her loveable rescue dog, exploring rivers, forests and coasts everywhere.
Letter from the Executive Director
Rivers have shaped me like they shape the landscape. Growing up mostly in cities, summers spent fishing with my grandfather on a tributary to the Illinois River or motoring out on my uncle’s boat along the Upper Mississippi were precious times. These experiences had a profound impact on me, so when it came time to pick an undergraduate major, biology was an obvious choice. Since then, I have had the good fortune to have my career shaped by rivers—the Savannah River, the Connecticut River, and now back to where this love of rivers started, America’s Great River: the Mississippi.
When America’s Watershed Initiative (AWI) organized in 2012, our founders envisioned an organization that would bring together leaders from many sectors across the Watershed’s basins. They believed that only together could we chart a sustainable path through the 21st century and beyond for the Watershed and all who rely on it.
The collaborative approach began with the Mississippi River Watershed Report Card in 2015. We took great care to listen to people interested in all aspects of the river’s health, and assess those aspects quantitatively. The results of the 2015 and 2020 Mississippi River Watershed Report Cards allow us to see how those important features are trending. These challenges are national issues, impacting all of us. Building on what we learned from the Report Card, we launched the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership. This Partnership will act as one voice to generate broad support and dedicated funding to drive integrated on-the-ground action to improve the health of the Watershed for the human and natural communities that depend on it.
As I travel through the Watershed, I am often reminded of all this great River provides— abundant wildlife, unmatched beauty, our home, our livelihoods. And all of us have a stake in what the Watershed provides for our future. With your support, we will help define a common vision, place sound science at the forefront in decision making, and amplify the voices of our rivers’ greatest champions. There is no time to waste. Make America’s Watershed Initiative YOUR Initiative.
Sierra Schuchard
Program Manager
Sierra attended Missouri S&T, where she studied geological engineering and spent much of her time outside the classroom working on Engineers Without Borders projects. She graduated in 2020. After a brief time with Missouri Green Schools as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Sierra began her career as an environmental engineer with Golder Associates (now part of WSP). In that role, she worked on groundwater remediation and environmental permitting projects and later managed several projects of her own.
Sierra joined the America’s Watershed Initiative in 2023, where her primary role is supporting the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership. Her work focuses on coordinating events, supporting partner communications, and helping move the partnership’s collaborative efforts forward.
In her free time, Sierra enjoys spending time with her husband and their baby boy. As a family, they love being outdoors—working in their garden and spending time on the rivers in the Ozarks.
Teresa Baraza
Senior Watershed Scientist
Teresa joined AWI in Winter 2026 as Senior Watershed Scientist, where she supports the Mississippi River Water Action Collaborative (MRWAC). In this role, she works to integrate science, data, and partnerships to identify priority restoration areas, strengthen project pipelines, and advance coordinated strategies across the Upper and Lower Mississippi River basins.
Teresa holds a B.S. in Geology from the University of Barcelona (Spain) and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Geoscience from Saint Louis University (SLU). Prior to joining AWI, she served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biogeochemistry with a joint appointment at SLU’s Water Access, Technology, Environment and Resources (WATER) Institute and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC).
Her research has focused on understanding how anthropogenic stressors affect water resources and ecosystem resilience. She has studied traditional contaminants such as nutrients, road salts, and toxic metals, as well as emerging contaminants including microplastics. Teresa also brings extensive experience in science communication, translating complex environmental research for both technical audiences and the broader public.
Teresa is excited to contribute to AWI’s collaborative efforts to protect water resources and improve resilience throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, climbing, reading, and crafting. She also plays recreational volleyball and is a certified sailing instructor.
Jordyn Doty
Communications and Operations Associate
Jordyn joined AWI as Communications and Operations Associate in the fall of 2025. She supports digital communications, content development, partner engagement, and organizational operations focused on advancing the health and sustainability of the Mississippi River Watershed.
She graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences and a minor in Marketing, where she developed a strong interest in strategic communications and public policy. Prior to joining AWI, Jordyn gained experience as a Legislative Intern at Van Scoyoc Associates, supporting clients through legislative research, policy analysis, and communications strategy across areas including public works and grant funding.
At AWI, she is excited to contribute to efforts that protect and strengthen the Mississippi River Watershed through effective storytelling, outreach, and collaboration.
In her free time, Jordyn enjoys singing, painting, and reading at her local park.