Our Staff and Board of Directors

Meet the Team

Leif Kindberg

Executive Director
leif [at] irwp.org
Leif Kindberg is the Executive Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) where he works with a great team to implement voluntary conservation work in partnership with landowners, businesses, municipalities, and others to promote and improve water quality of the Illinois River, economic development, and quality of life in the watershed. Prior to joining IRWP, Leif worked with Tetra Tech Inc, a leading provider of water consulting and engineering services. Most recently he lived in Tanzania and co-led an integrated water resources management program in two of the country’s largest river basins to improve health, water resources management, natural resources conservation, and better use of hydrological data. Leif has a BA in Political Science from California State University Long Beach and MBA from the George Washington University. He grew up on a small farm in the Buffalo River watershed.
Morgan Keeling

Associate Director
morgan [at] irwp.org
Morgan is the Associate Director at IRWP where she leads initiatives to improve water quality. Deeply committed to strengthening communities and the preservation of Ozark heritage, she believes that service to place and people is the highest form of leadership. A native of the River Valley, Morgan holds a BA in Journalism from Arkansas Tech University and an MBA from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Since joining IRWP in 2020, Morgan has managed grants and a loan program from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Division, USDA-NRCS, the Walton Family Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, and others. She organized the 2021 Northwest Arkansas Low Impact Development Conference and contributed to the 2025 Smart Growth for Water Resources Conference. Morgan currently serves as Management Chair of the Place Summit for the Urban Land Institute Northwest Arkansas, is a Certified Arkansas Master Naturalist, former Chair of the Multibasin Regional Water Council, and volunteers on the board for Terra Studios.
Annie Sales

Director of Restoration Services
annie [at] irwp.org
Annie Sales is the Director of Restoration Services at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP). She leads the organization’s restoration initiatives with expertise in vegetation management, ecological restoration, and sustainable landscape design. In her role, Annie develops and implements native plant–based green infrastructure solutions, conducts botanical surveys and ecological assessments, and oversees ecological restoration projects that enhance biodiversity and water quality. Previously, Annie worked as an Ecological Gardener at Native Restoration and Management, managed a native plant nursery, and provided ecological landscape management across a variety of projects. Annie holds a B.S. in Geography: Conservation of Natural Resources from Missouri State University, with specialized training in watershed management, stream ecology, and environmental assessment.
Suzanne Murphy

Youth Education Specialist
suzanne [at] irwp.org
Suzanne received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minor in Physics and Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2015. Suzanne is a licensed 7-12 educator with the state of Arkansas and has previously taught at Pea Ridge and Farmington High School. She has taught chemistry, pre-AP chemistry, astronomy, honors anatomy & physiology, biology, physical science, and AP environmental science.
After teaching high school science for 7 years, it was her AP Environmental Science class that brought her to working in conservation. Working with local conservation groups like IRWP, AEEA, NWA Land Trust to make the AP Environmental Science class come alive was inspiration to be part of the conservation work herself.
She loves paddle boarding, hiking, swimming, figure skating, and doing anything with her dog Bee. She is currently going through the Naturalist in Training program with NWA Master Naturalists.
Sarah Alvey

Program Coordinator
sarah [at] irwp.org
Sarah graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Animal Science in Spring of 2022; after completion she decided to make Northwest Arkansas her home and pursue a career in conservation.
Before working for IRWP, she helped manage a local farm within the watershed that raises grass-fed, grass-finished cattle and sheep. She is also a member of the Grassroots Grazing Group (GGG) and attends pasture walks around Northwest Arkansas whenever she can.
She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and has a deep love for the Ozark region. Favorite activities of hers include attending local farmers markets, spending time on the water, and anything that includes her dog, a mini American Shepherd named Obi Wan.
Kate Shirley

Green Infrastructure Program Manager
kate [at] irwp.org
Kate coordinates the installation of stormwater management features that protect our watershed while supporting initiatives in research, education, and outreach. She was born and raised on the Texas Gulf Coast, and earned her BA in Geography and Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
Her professional background includes work in landscape design, environmental planning, horticulture, organic agriculture, academic research, cartography, and GIS. She is currently a member of the City of Fayetteville's Urban Forestry Advisory Board, where she serves as a liaison between the community and city government on arboricultural matters.
Sydney Bowman

Restoration Specialist
sydney [at] irwp.org
Sydney has a diverse background within the conservation, ecological restoration, and outdoor recreation fields. Her most recent positions included working as a Biological Engineering Designer with an Arkansas-based ecologically focused design firm, Ecological Design Group, focusing on river access and stream restoration projects. Before this she was leading a large-scale stream restoration team for the National Park Service restoring the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Merced River in Yosemite National Park. She holds a B.S. in Biological Engineering from the University of Arkansas and will soon hold a Wetland Delineation Certification from the Swamp School.
Sydney grew up in Northwest Arkansas in the conservation and outdoor recreation realm, instilling a deep appreciation in her to care for and protect the landscape she spends all her time in. She is always out exploring the Ozarks, by either paddling the rivers in the area, finding waterfalls, or hiking and backpacking.
Kjerstin Hoyt

Administrative Specialist
kjerstin [at] irwp.org
Kjerstin Hoyt is the Administrative Specialist at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, where she enjoys managing the daily operations and keeping things afloat. She has lived in Bentonville for 22 years, twenty of those years has been on Little Osage Creek, a tributary to the Illinois River, which is the reason she became interested in IRWP.
Her years of experience stem from leadership roles in the youth and women’s programs at her church and from raising five daughters alongside her husband. She brings to IRWP skills in inter-personal relations, operations management, organization, and conflict resolution! She loves the outdoors and being a grandma. Recently she started back to college, earning a Basic Accounting certificate through Ensign College, and is currently pursuing her B.S. in Business Management through Brigham Young University Idaho. She is excited to be part of an impactful organization that works hard to improve the integrity of the Illinois River Watershed and preserve it for generations to enjoy!
Max Emerson

Restoration Fellow
Max is a Restoration Fellow, and under the guidance of Annie Sales he helps implement the various restoration services that IRWP provides. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Horticulture in 2025, and promptly began the Restoration Fellowship with IRWP. Max has experience in landscaping, arboriculture, hydroponics, greenhouses, and kitchens. Growing up on Mount Kessler, conservation has always been an important part of his life. In his free time, Max enjoys rock climbing, weight lifting, cooking and hiking.
Leland Colf

Restoration Fellow
Leland graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fall 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Soil and Water Science. Shortly after, he joined the team at IRWP, bringing with him experience in both conventional agriculture and soil conservation. Raised on a farm in rural southwest Missouri, natural resource conservation has always been a core value and lifelong passion for him. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping.