Orage Quarles

Interim President & CEO

Orage Quarles III is the former publisher of The News & Observer in Raleigh and a national leader in the publishing industry. He retired in June 2016 after 16 years as the first African American president and publisher of The News & Observer. During his tenure, The N&O doubled its community papers from five to ten, launched a magazine and added an array of digital products. He began his career as a high school senior when he took an entry-level advertising job at The San Bernardino Sun. Fifteen years later, he became its advertising director. In 1987, he was named president and publisher of The Coloradoan in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a year later, was honored as Gannett’s Publisher of the Year. He was publisher at The Record in Stockton, California; The Herald in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and The Modesto Bee. He was chair of the Newspaper Association of America, the Dix Park Conservancy, and an Associated Press board member for a decade.

Nick Smith

Chief of Staff

Nick has served on the planning side of the project, participating in the Master Plan and early Phase 1 projects, before joining the Conservancy as Chief of Staff. At the Conservancy, Nick facilitates the public-private partnership between the City of Raleigh and the Dix Park Conservancy and leads strategic planning efforts around project advocacy and park development, manages special projects, and coordinates staff and board operations.

Rob Maddrey

VP of Development

Rob brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. He comes to the Conservancy from the NC Center for Nonprofits where he was the Chief Sustainability Officer. As the VP of Development, Rob oversees the comprehensive campaign for philanthropy including community giving, grant writing and stewardship. He also collaborates with the Board & CEO on all development activities to facilitate and strengthen the organization’s fundraising efforts. Rob is a lifelong choral musician and currently sings tenor with the choir of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the Oakwood Waits, and the North Carolina Master Chorale.

Michelle Panek

Executive Assistant & Board Relations Manager

Michelle is a native Washingtonian and has a BA in Communications from James Madison University. She loves photography, art, cooking, and enjoying a beautiful day hiking in the forest or on a beach. She spent her career managing board and education programs at nonprofits in DC before moving to Raleigh six years ago. In her off-time she can be found spending time with her husband, two daughters, and their Puggle named Cooper.

Anna Torres

Senior Communications & Marketing Manager

Hannah Liebel

Sr. Manager of Operations

Hannah Liebel has dedicated her career to cultivating experiences that nurture the creative spirit. A graduate from Appalachian State University, Hannah has worked across the state managing galleries and studio spaces. Hannah comes to the Dix Park Conservancy from Artsplosure, where she served as Operations Director, producing public events and art installations that connect locally and nationally recognized artists with the greater North Carolina arts community. Hannah coordinates the Conservancy’s events, art installations, merchandise program, and manages our newly renovated properties.

Lisa Genschel

Development Manager

Lisa brings corporate and non-profit career experience to her role as Development Manager, providing organizational, project management, and relationship skills to our fundraising team. She is an avid reader with a special love of picture books. Lisa enjoys activities in and around water, having recently discovered kayaking. She earned a B.S. from Purdue University in Financial Planning & Counseling and has made Raleigh home since 1987.

Christy J. Smith

Content Marketing Specialist

Christy grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina and is a first-gen college graduate and the granddaughter of tobacco & cotton tenant farmers. She has an M.A. in English Lit and worked as a graphic designer and communications manager in university & non-profit settings before joining the Dix Park Conservancy team. She enjoys spending time in nature with her son, making music and reading books about ecosystem science.

Courtney Bagans

Administrative Assistant

Courtney is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys spending time biking, reading, and picnicking with friends in local parks. She joins the Conservancy team with experience in nonprofit administration and operations, having supported both place-based collective impact initiatives and national nonprofit organizations in her previous roles. Courtney will begin graduate school in Fall 2024 at UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue a master's degree in public health with a focus on the environment and climate. She aims to use her professional and academic experience to promote vibrant cities by connecting communities to the outdoors and nature.