Executive director of the Clean Valley Council
Plaster, who studied biology at the College, has worked in the nonprofit world for more than 40 years.
Before joining the Clean Valley Council, she worked at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Imagination Station Science Museum in Wilson, North Carolina, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
Her museum work included research, collections, publications, and science education. Her time at Randolph helped prepare her for all aspects of the work, from time in the lab with longtime biology professor Doug Shedd to as a Gold Key Guide leading tours of campus.
She joined the Clean Valley Council in 2020 as director of education, before moving into the executive director role.
She serves on several environmental stewardship committees, including the Kiwanis Nature Park Committee with the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Resilient Roanoke Roundtable, Carilion’s Morningside Urban Farm Advisory Committee, Roanoke STEAM Day Planning Committee, Earth Day Roanoke Planning Committee, Roanoke City’s Bee City Planning Committee, and the HOPE for Heat Resilience project with Virginia Tech.
“For me, in all realms—research, collections, publications, education, and leading an organization—when you remain positive and people see that positivity, it’s contagious,” Plaster said. “I typically learn something new every day. I remain curious about everything, and I’m always asking why.”
Tags: biology, biology outcomes