Equity In Every Drop - A Waterkeeper Alliance Podcast

Thomas Hynes is the Communications and Marketing Manager for Waterkeeper Alliance. In addition to podcast hosting and production duties, he manages and writes all sorts of editorial content for the organization, including blogs, feature articles, advocacy alerts, email campaigns, social media content, and more. Thomas grew up on the Long Island Sound in Connecticut and now makes his home two blocks from the East River in Brooklyn, New York. He primarily commutes across the river to the Waterkeeper Alliance office via ferry boat. Thomas was drawn to environmental work in order to take an active role in the fight against climate change and help bring justice to the rotten polluters who seek to ruin our shared resources. Before working at Waterkeeper Alliance, Thomas wrote a nonfiction book about the history of wildlife in New York City. "Wild City" also highlights the power and success of the Clean Water Act, and other environmental regulations, in leading an unlikely ecological turnaround. In his spare time, Thomas photographs the many tugboats traversing the city’s various waterways. Thomas lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their son. They can be found most weekends walking or biking along the East River.

Lori Harrison is the Communications and Marketing Director for Waterkeeper Alliance. She oversees multi-faceted communications and marketing activities to advance the organization’s mission of protecting our right to clean water in communities around the world. With 25 years of experience in strategic water communications and mission-based work, Lori is an award-winning writer and content creator. Her expertise lies in translating complex concepts into relatable ideas, fostering engagement, and promoting sustainable practices and solutions. Her work not only aims to protect clean water, public health, and the environment but also focuses on "connecting the disconnect" between people and this essential resource. Before joining Waterkeeper Alliance, Lori had a background in corporate marketing for professional sports and held various communications and creative positions with a non-profit educational organization for global water professionals. Notable achievements include creating the WATER'S WORTH IT® grassroots awareness campaign and writing the award-winning children's book, “Why Water's Worth It,” designed to educate and inspire the next generation of water protectors. Lori lives in Virginia with her husband and their two children.

Marc Yaggi is the Chief Executive Officer of Waterkeeper Alliance, serving as a leading voice for a global movement dedicated to securing clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet. Recognizing the profound impact the climate crisis has on water quality and availability, Marc is committed to addressing the paramount issue of climate change. Under Marc’s leadership, Waterkeeper Alliance has amassed significant legal and advocacy victories, including stopping dirty fossil fuel projects, securing rules to prevent industrial agriculture slaughterhouse pollution, holding coal-fired power plants accountable for pollution, protecting coastal wetland forests, eliminating regulatory loopholes for pesticides, and securing human health protections from mercury pollution. Before assuming the role of CEO, Marc served as a Senior Attorney and Watershed Program Director for Riverkeeper, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in safeguarding the 2,000-square mile watershed that serves as New York City’s drinking water supply. His previous experience as a Staff Attorney with the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C., further solidified his expertise in environmental law and advocacy. A graduate in Administration of Justice from The Pennsylvania State University, Marc holds a J.D. and an LL.M in Environmental Law from the Pace University School of Law. He resides in New York with his wife and two children, sharing a love for water-related activities that reflect his commitment to safeguarding this precious resource for generations to come.

Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley is an esteemed civil rights and environmental justice advocate, educator, psychologist, and speaker. In the 1960s, he was recruited to play basketball for Tennessee State University where he became a student leader in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Upon earning a degree in psychology, Rev. Dr. Durley became one of the first U.S. Peace Corp volunteers to serve in Nigeria. He has completed a Master of Science degree in Community Mental Health/Psychology at Northern Illinois University, a doctorate degree in Urban Education and Psychology at University of Massachusetts, and a Master of Divinity at Howard University School of Divinity. Highlights of Rev. Dr. Durley’s storied career include the development of interdisciplinary study programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the U.S. Department of Education, serving as Dean for Clark College, and as a program administrator at Morehouse School of Medicine. He was a pulpit associate at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. He retired as Pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta after 25 years of service, and is currently the Pastor Emeritus. It was while serving as Pastor that he became intensely involved in the intersection of climate change, global warming, and environmental justice. Rev. Dr. Durley now combines the disciplines of faith and science with the lessons learned as a civil and human rights advocate. He believes that God created a perfect ecologically balanced world for humans to care for, but we are destroying it at an alarming rate. He asserts that for the environment to be saved, the educational, scientific, business, political, and faith communities must seek common solutions. He has been married for almost 50 years to his wife, Muriel. They have two children an four grandchildren. His autobiography, I Am Amazed, is available at Amazon.