Our Staff

Hannah Randall, Interim Executive Director

Hannah brings significant leadership experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, with a record of impact and resilience in the face of uncertainty. From 2016 to 2022, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for MANNA Food Bank, a non-profit based in Asheville, NC, which provides over 20 million meals annually to people in need in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary. During that time, she also served on the Leadership Asheville Advisory Board, as the Board Chair for Feeding the Carolinas, and as the Chair of the Eastern Region for the Feeding America national network of food banks, as well as on other school and non-profit boards.

Prior to that, Hannah spent her career in the private sector, working in technical, project management, and leadership positions for Carolina Power & Light, Progress Energy, and Duke Energy focusing on operations, regulatory compliance, training, and business process improvement.  During her tenure, she served both as a Plant Manager for a fleet of combustion turbine power plants and General Manager for Duke Energy Environmental, Health, & Safety leading Risk, Governance, and Change Management functions following a significant environmental event.

Hannah earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NC State University and a Master of Business Administration from Elon University.  She is also a certified Project Management Professional. She and her family live in Candler, NC where they like to spend time hiking and playing in the mountains and beyond.

Karin Heiman, Deputy Director

Karin has been with SERLC since the year of its inception and heads its environmental operations. She began her work with conservation easements in 1986 for The Nature Conservancy. Karin was born with a curiosity and fascination with nature which she has translated into her career. After working as an auto mechanic, professional dancer, and heavy duty construction worker, she returned to school at Warren Wilson College for a Bachelor of Art & Sciences Degree (1984) with a major in Environmental Studies (Botany Concentration) and minor in Biology. Since then she has performed environmental work for nearly every type of federal and state agency, including state Departments of Transportation, USDA, National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Institute of Health, EPA, US Army COE, US Air Force, state Natural Heritage Programs, and numerous universities, land trusts and engineering firms. She is certified with the State of North Carolina as a Forest Stewardship Contractor. A resident of WNC since 1981, she is completing the family circle, since her great-great grandmother left NC by wagon train.