Staff

Evan Banzhaf

River Explorer Educator

Evan climbed aboard ORF excited to help inspire students with the value of our natural world.  Evan began cultivating her knowledge and abilities at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007, as her passion for nature intersected with her yearning to teach kids about the wonders of nature.  She holds a BA in Environmental Geography from the University of Cincinnati.  When in a new place she loves to explore the uniqueness of its natural environment, from flora and fauna, to landscape and soil. Evan loves passing the time outdoors, especially hiking and birding.

Richard M. Cogen

Executive Director

Rich is responsible for the overall direction of ORF, including supervising an amazing group of talented educators.  In addition to working with ORF trustees to strengthen the organization's financial health, program offerings, and fundraising opportunties, he finds time to join the education staff in the field presenting River Explorer to students around the tri-state.  In his spare time Rich also heads up ORF's restoration and advocacy efforts.

A co-founder of Ohio River Foundation, Mr. Cogen was formerly an assistant city solicitor with the City of Cincinnati, specializing in environmental law. Prior to arriving in Cincinnati, Rich worked in NYC in the corporate world handling professional liability cases.  He also served as pro-bono counsel for NYC Audubon Society and Transportation Alternatives. Academically, Rich received his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School, his Masters in Environmental Law (LLM) from Pace University, and B.S. in biology from the State University of New York at Albany.

Allison Cone

River Explorer Educator

Allison comes to the Ohio River Foundation with a special interest in Environmental Education.  Allison's previous experiences while traveling to Argentina and Namibia as well as her work in Environmental Education at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center in Peninsula, Ohio has impacted how she views the world today.  Now back in her native city of Cincinnati, Allison would like to educate others to build a sustainable future.

Allison received her BA in International Studies at the University of Dayton and holds an Environmental Education certification from the Environmental Education Council of Ohio.  In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying new foods.

Gabe Haidle

River Explorer Educator

Gabe joined Ohio River Foundation in 2009 and has an associates degree in Environmental Engineering from Cincinnati State. Gabe is very passionate about conservation, restoration, and education pertaining to our most precious natural resource…water.

Ashley Hurt

River Explorer Educator

Ashley joined ORF with an interest in our land's parks and resources. She has developed a special interest in introducing children to the outdoors and the environment. Ashley received a B.S. in Biological Sciences studying organismal biology at Northern Kentucky University. She has done DNA research at NKU and traveled to Belize to study the geology and ecology of the coral reef. In the future, Ashley plans to work as a national park naturalist.

Lacey Laudick

River Explorer Educator

Lacey is currently seeking her Masters in Zoology with the Advanced Inquiry Program with the Cincinnati Zoo and Miami University.  As an undergraduate of Northern Kentucky University, she did research in Maryland on Grasshopper Sparrows and their nestlings' vocalizations.  She has a strong passion in outreach programs that allow kids to experience science and their natural surroundings first hand, to create motivation and environmental behavior changes amongst kids and young adults.  She hopes to participate in future restoration opportunities so she can directly make a difference to her own environment and reach out to future generations to make the same environmentally friendly choices.

Beth Martinson

Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper

Bernie Moller

Senior Educator

Bernie started with ORF in 2008 and is one of our more seasoned educators.  In addition to working as part of the River Explorer Team, he also was the Crew Leader for ORF's first Youth Conservation Team program in 2011.  He is an avid canoist, often leading EcoPods as a part of ORF's Great Ohio River Paddle, as well as paddling streams, rivers, and creeks in the Ohio River Watershed -- and around the country!  He has a Masters in Limnology and a Bachelors of Science from the University of Cincinnati.. 

Julie Haidle Rizzo

Senior Educator

Since joining ORF in 2007 as a River Explorer educator, Julie has become the Lead Educator for the River Explorer education team.  Her devotion to teaching children about the environment is infectious and an inspiration to the whole team.  Julie lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two boys.

Laura Taphorn

River Explorer Educator

Program Volunteers

Matt Hayes

Hanna Firestone

Kate Lampe

University of Cincinnati, DAAP

Graphic Design Consultants

Mike Miller

Professor of Aquatic Biology, University of Cincinnati

River Explorer Docent

Miriam Kannan

Professor of Aquatic Microbiology, Northern Kentucky University

River Explorer Docent

Melinda Chamberlain

Master Gardener

Rain Garden Consultant