Meet the Staff

The staff at WaterWorks are all employees of Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council (AMRV RC&D) where they wear many hats in their roles, taking on diverse responsibilities to ensure the success of AMRV, WaterWorks, Next Generation Agriculture, and other missions and programs of AMRV. Discover the other exciting programs our team is driving by visiting www.amrvrcd.com and see how we are making a difference in our community.

Kelly McInnis

Director of WaterWorks

Kelly blends passion with innovation to inspire and engage students in conservation and sustainability. With a BS in Zoology: Conservation and Biodiversity from Auburn University and a heart rooted deeply in nature, Kelly has dedicated her career to transforming environmental challenges into educational opportunities. Under Kelly’s leadership, WaterWorks has blossomed into a vibrant hub of learning, where nature and knowledge intertwine seamlessly.

Before joining our team, Kelly honed her skills as the Animal Care Specialist at the Cook Museum of Natural Science where she developed the “Q&A with Animal Care” and “Insect Pinning Workshop” along with teaching many other programs. Prior to that, Kelly has worked as an environmental consultant developing stormwater and watershed management plans as well as interning with USDA NRCS.

When not championing conservation, Kelly can be found on Wheeler Lake wake surfing with her husband and two dogs or cheering on the Auburn Tigers from the comfort of her couch.

Ella Absher

Environmental Outreach Specialist

Ella Absher approaches environmental education through a coastal lens, grounded in her belief that ocean literacy is essential to understanding our broader environment.
She earned her Master’s degree in Marine Conservation and Resource Management and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Alabama, graduating magna cum laude. Her academic experience, paired with hands-on fieldwork and research, has shaped her ability to translate complex environmental concepts into meaningful, real-world learning experiences.

Before joining WaterWorks, Ella served as an intern with Mobile Baykeeper, where she supported water quality research and contributed to outreach efforts that engaged communities in conservation. She also brings extensive experience working with a wide range of age groups, creating engaging and supportive environments for learners of all backgrounds.
At WaterWorks, Ella leads field trips and outreach programming that connect students to wetland ecosystems and water quality through hands-on exploration. She is passionate about helping students build confidence in science, think critically about environmental challenges, and recognize their role in protecting natural resources.

Celia Moore

AMRV RC&D
Office Manager

The heartbeat of our operations, Celia brings organizational expertise to her role as Office Manager. She oversees invoicing for our field trips, ensuring that your group will experience a seamless process from booking to payment.

Renona Seibert

Executive Director of Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council (AMRV RC&D)

Under Renona’s guidance, AMRV RC&D has allowed WaterWorks to expand its reach by ensuring every dollar invested goes toward initiatives that have a lasting impact on the students we serve.

When not advocating for the environment and sustainable agriculture, Renona enjoys camping with her family and grandkids.

Panda

Chief Wetland Officer

As Chief Wetland Officer, Panda ensures that WaterWorks runs smoothly by overseeing daily “operations” in the EcoLab and wetlands. With a nose for detail and an unmatched enthusiasm for exploration, she specializes in turtle supervision, worm bin inspections, and quality control of belly rub distribution. Panda brings warmth and joy to staff, students, and visitors alike, making her an indispensable part of the WaterWorks team.

When she’s not hard at work monitoring the wetlands, Panda can be found lounging belly-up in the office, splashing at Wheeler Lake, or begging politely for snacks from anyone who passes by.