Board Chair Amanda Clements

Board Vice Chair Grant Zimmerman

Board Treasurer David Ludwick

Board Secretary Briana Greer
 

Board Member Arlen Huggins

Board Member Carl Mackey

Board Member Angela Todd

Board Member Tim Grundl

Board Member Chuck Heywood

UWP Executive Director Tanya Ishikawa

Tanya was promoted to executive director after six years as communications director, leading efforts that annually increased UWP’s funding including Ridgway RiverFest, budget requests to local governments, and grants from foundations and state agencies. She also grew the number of email subscribers, event participants, and volunteers. In September 2022, she graduated from the Water Leaders program, a professional development program organized by Water Education Colorado. In addition to fundraising, Tanya continues to work on outreach and administration of mine remediation and riparian restoration projects alongside UWP’s scientists, as well as organize cleanups, tree plantings, weed removal, water quality monitoring, and various events. She also oversees the budget, and supports board members with board development.

UWP Technical Coordinator Ashley Bembenek

Ashley is the principal scientist and owner of Alpine Environmental Consultants, a firm that specializes is watershed planning. Ashley graduated with honors from Montana State University with a degree in environmental science that focused on soil and water. She has 13 years professional experience and has worked in western Colorado for the past nine years to help organizations understand water quality and prioritize projects to improve water quality and watershed health. Ashley loves to ski, mountain bike, climb, and is slowly learning to kayak.

Alpine Environmental Consultants also contracts with Elin Binck who is working with UWP on an environmental flows plan and the South Ouray Erosion Control Project.

Administrative & Development Assistant Joanna Weaver

Having grown up with the coastline of Downeast Maine as her playground, Joanna developed a deep love of water and nature at an early age. After graduating from the College of the Atlantic with a BA in Human Ecology in 2016, she has worked as a filmmaker, bookkeeper, and grant writer. As a producer and editor of feature-length and short-format documentaries, Joanna uses film to remind us of our connection and responsibility to each other and the Earth. Joanna serves as an editor and administrative support for Sunlight Media Collective, an Indigenous-led group in Maine, amplifying underrepresented issues at the intersection of Wabanaki Tribal sovereignty and environmental stewardship. Joanna loves reading, hiking, and soaking up the wonderful Colorado sunshine.

RiverFest Sponsorship Coordinator Virginia Weiskopf

Virginia was in charge of watershed education at the 2025 Ridgway RiverFest. For the 2026 Ridgway RiverFest, Virginia is in charge of sponsorship outreach – be on the lookout for her communications this year! She finished her assignment as a hydrologist/hydrographer for UWP through the Colorado River Corps program in November 2025. Now, when she’s not supporting RiverFest, she is a full-time Watershed Scientist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, Restoration and Protection Unit. Virginia grew up in Telluride, and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in environmental studies and minors in political science and atmospheric and oceanic studies. In her spare time, you’ll find her out in the mountains on hikes/walks or skiing, frequenting Cora Fitness, or reading a novel. 

River Corps Member Elliot Risch

Elliot is a recent graduate of Tulane University with a bachelor of science degree in environmental biology and UWP’s 2026 River Corps Member. Elliot has worked to monitor and conserve habitat on public lands across Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada, most recently leading a field crew in monitoring water quality, structure, and species composition of streams across the Great Basin Region. Now he joins UWP to support the volunteer Colorado River Watch team with stream measurement and water quality sampling, as well as other research, reporting and stakeholder outreach that will help restore and preserve the Uncompahgre Watershed.