People

 Iris graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and will be working on a half-time basis for FLM while concurrently pursuing her Masters of Public Health. She has also interned with the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, working with scientists and environmental impact groups throughout Indiana. 

In addition, Ms. O’Donnell Bellisario has worked directly with the mayor of West Lafayette on developing a plan for the community to achieve carbon neutrality. Most recently Iris worked with the Southern Indiana Development Commission on public policy, community development, and facilitation efforts to develop regional digital inclusion plans for a 5-county region. 

director@friendsoflakemonroe.org

Dr. Sherry Mitchell-Bruker has worked as a hydrologist to preserve, protect and manage water resources for over thirty years. Her career in environmental research, consulting and management has taken her from Indiana to the Everglades, the Sierra Nevada and back home to Indiana.

Now retired from the federal government, she continues to share her skills and passion for the aquatic world through teaching and community service. Sherry is happiest when she is outside sailing, kayaking, gardening, hiking, biking or camping.

Maggie Sullivan is a professional engineer and an experienced community organizer who holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University.  She has worked for over fifteen years in the fields of environmental consulting, local agriculture, and environmental education.  Her volunteer service includes over ten years serving as board president of various non-profits, most recently with Bloomingfoods.  She enjoys hiking, glamping, creating wildlife habitat, Girl Scouts, and organizing women’s retreats.  She can be reached at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org.

Carolyn is recently retired from a career in environmental protection. For 38 years, as a professional and volunteer, Carolyn advocated the protection of land and water for people and wildlife. She has experience in program development and fundraising, in service of growing organizations and the conservation movement. Her work has included advocating the protection of large ecosystems including the Hoosier National Forest Charles C. Deam Wilderness, the Florida Everglades, and Oregon’s territorial sea. Carolyn  also promoted the conservation of private lands working with community-based land trusts across the Midwest. She was a founding board director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana’s first professionally run, statewide environmental advocacy nonprofit, now in its 38th year.

Carolyn began kayaking local lakes during the COVID-19 pandemic and enjoys photography. She earned her M.P.A. in Environmental Policy and Policy Analysis from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and an A.B. in Environmental Studies and Fine Arts from IU’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Keith has enjoyed hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and swimming in and around Lake Monroe for over 50 years. A retired MCCSC math teacher and former hydrologist with the U. S. Geological Survey, he now spends much of his time volunteering for non-profit organizations in the community. Keith and his wife, Julie, have lived most of their 47 years together in the Lake Monroe watershed.

Cheryl is an archaeologist and research scientist in the Department of Anthropology at IU who specializes in the prehistory and early history of southern Indiana and the Eastern U.S. Since 2013 Cheryl has served as an At-Large Member of the Monroe County Council, with particular interests in public safety, youth enrichment,  and economic development — including what the lake offers to residents and visitors for swimming, boating, and fishing. She enjoys gardening, raising dogs, cooking for family and friends, and being with her grandchildren.

Jim teaches at The Media School at Indiana University. He’s a photographer, documentarian, video producer, animator, guitarist, composer, and loves spending time on the water. He has more than 10 years experience serving on boards of non-profit organizations and has focused his recent work towards science education. You can reach Jim at his IU office or at his studio. When not teaching or practicing his craft, he is likely off enjoying the woods, going for a paddle, or spending time on his sailboat (currently somewhere in the Great Lakes).