Kelly McGinnis is the Executive Director of the Mississippi River Network, a coalition dedicating to a healthy and resilient Mississippi River. She works directly with network members in the ten-state Mississippi River region, building the coalition with the goal to protect and restore the River using federal and state policy and organizing as pathways to solutions.

Kelly comes from a diverse professional background, starting her career as a fisheries biologist and freshwater ecologist in Washington State before moving back to the midwest where her focus shifted for a time to sustainability in the built environment and coalition building. Kelly was thrilled when she could get back to water work over six years ago. She brings passion and enthusiasm for changing systems, a strong workplace culture, and care and concern for others.

When she is not busy protecting water, you can find Kelly playing outside in a number of ways whether it is trail running, mountain biking, kayaking, growing a garden, or playing with her two dogs. She also enjoys traveling with her husband and friends, music, cooking, and reading. Kelly holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Freshwater Ecology from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.