American Rivers Welcomes Four Academic, Business and Entertainment Leaders to Board
Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
10/14/2025 Washington D.C. – American Rivers is today, pleased to announce the addition of four new board members as we continue to grow and expand our impact across the country. The new board members bring decades of experience across academia, business and sustainability, venture capital and entertainment.
“People’s passion for rivers and connection to water are something that motivates the dedicated staff at American Rivers each and every day and we are thrilled to add such successful river advocates to our board,” said Tom Kiernan, president and CEO of American Rivers. “As the issues facing our waterways continue to grow, so too must the momentum towards finding bipartisan conservation solutions that match their need. I am optimistic that we will.”
David Mott (Big Sky, MT) is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Sphinx Mountain Capital, a private investment management firm based in Big Sky, MT. He currently serves as chairman of the board for Adaptimmune (ADAP), Ardelyx (ARDX), and Mersana (MRSN), and a member of the board of Novavax (NVAX). From 2008 to 2020, Mott was a general partner at NEA, one of the world’s largest venture capital firms, where he led the healthcare investing practice. Previously, he served as president and chief executive officer of biotechnology company MedImmune from 2000 through 2008, during which he led the sale of the company to AstraZeneca in June 2007 for $15.6 billion. He joined MedImmune in 1992 and served in various senior roles during his tenure, including chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer. Over the course of his career as an investor, manager, and board member, Mott has been involved in more than $40 billion in fundraising, corporate acquisitions, and other capital formation
He is an avid fly fisherman, skier, hiker, racket sport player, scuba diver, and poor golfer. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.
Emily Osment (Los Angeles, CA) currently stars in the #1 broadcast comedy, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” a spin-off of “Young Sheldon”. Additionally, she starred alongside Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin in the Golden Globe–winning Netflix series ‘The Kominsky Method,’ had a memorable arc as Jodi in the CBS comedy “Mom,” and guest-starred on “Two and a Half Men.” Osment has also led several series, including the Netflix comedy “Pretty Smart” the FOX drama “Almost Family,” and Freeform’s fan-favorite “Young & Hungry” which ran for five seasons.
Another of her notable role’s was Lilly Truscott on the Disney Channel original series “Hannah Montana.” Before ending its remarkable 100 episode run, the show’s success was captured on the big screen with “Hannah Montana, The Movie.” She also starred in the Robert Rodriguez films “Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams” and “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over.”
A talented singer/songwriter, Osment releases new music under the moniker Bluebiird.
Her love for the outdoors fuels her deep passion for rivers, and she is particularly committed to advocating for their protection and restoration. Osment studied theatre at Occidental College.
Brian Steed (Logan, UT) currently serves as the Executive Director of Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air and as the Inaugural Great Salt Lake Commissioner appointed by Governor Spencer J. Cox. Previously, Steed was the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. His background includes serving as Deputy Director for Policy and Programs at the U.S Bureau of Land Management and as Chief of Staff to Utah Congressman Chris Stewart. He also served as Deputy County Attorney for Iron County and taught Political Science and Economics at USU.
Steed holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science from USU, a Ph.D. in Public Policy with a focus on Environmental Policy from Indiana University Bloomington, and a J.D. from the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, specializing in Natural Resources and Environmental Law.
Ian Yolles (Portland, OR) has extensive entrepreneurial and executive-level leadership experience managing brand building and marketing activities for some of the world’s most influential consumer product companies. From The Body Shop, to Patagonia, to Nike, to Nau, he has been instrumental in building and stewarding brands that have defined and differentiated themselves based on their strong commitment to innovation and sustainability. He has also served as an advisor and board member for several early-stage companies and non-profit organizations. Early in his career, he merged his passion for the outdoors with his interest in human development as the Executive Director of Outward Bound in Canada.
Yolles earned a BA from Antioch College and received a post graduate Research Fellowship from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation that enables “university graduates of unusual promise” to engage in independent study abroad. He is also a graduate of the Program for Executive Development at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia.
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American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org