Our Team
At Palmetto Futures, our team is united by a shared passion for advancing environmental equity and sustainability. Meet the dedicated professionals behind our mission to build resilient, thriving communities for generations to come.
Kibri Hutchinson Everett
Executive Director
Kibri’s interest in the earth and environmental science began in the 6th grade. Her passion for the nature led her to North Carolina State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She later completed a Master’s degree in Earth Science at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During her studies at NCCU, she worked on her first environmental justice project, which involved an examination of toxicological risks posed by soil and groundwater contamination in communities of color in Durham, North Carolina. For 20 years, Kibri has worked as an environmental scientist with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, economists, and community groups on projects ranging from water quality to waste management. She has applied her technical, writing, and engagement expertise to the benefit of many organizations. To date, she has secured over $2 million in funding for community -based organizations. Kibri is based in North Carolina.
Catherine Chapman
Environmental Project Coordinator
Catherine has always been passionate about nature and helping others. During high school, she began to learn more about sustainability and humanity’s impact on the planet and became very interested in ways to mitigate and minimize these impacts while also expanding creativity, compassion, and connection. These interests and passions led her to Appalachian State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development. During her studies, she became passionate about local, small-scale change and developed an elaborate portfolio with items such as a policy brief titled “The Implementation of Green Streets to Improve Walkability and Connectivity in Statesville, North Carolina,” and the result of her capstone, “A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Sustainable Transitions in American Suburban Cities.” Catherine is excited about her career in sustainable development and work with communities to create meaningful and lasting change. Catherine is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Darius Collins Jr.
Environmental Project Coordinator
Darius received his Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology at North Carolina State University and wanted to apply his knowledge to improve widespread environmental justice issues. This guided him to complete a Master’s Degree in Environmental Anthropology where he could combine his interests in people and the environment. His degree led him to study how environmental justice was experienced among different individuals, communities, and organizations in the Walnut Creek Wetlands in Raleigh, North Carolina. Darius is utilizing his unique background to secure a better environmental future. Darius is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dr. Derrick Sauls
Subject Matter Expert
Dr. Derrick Sauls is a researcher, professor, and farmer in Raleigh, NC. While obtaining his Ph. D. from North Carolina State University in the area of Nutrition (2003), he developed an interest in studying Diabetes and his research entailed investigating the effect of homocysteine on fibrin clot formation and lysis. For twenty years of research studies at Duke University, he worked with several Biomedical start-up companies. His investigations have led to the development of a method for the prevention/treatment of HIV, ultimately obtaining a patent (N0. 6,787,527). Recently, he has been involved in Health Initiatives that involve prevention and eradicating health disparities and health inequities. When reviewing the disparities, he has focused on food insecurity and the effects of COVID on Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other people of Color (BIOPIC). His efforts have led to Agritherapy- the process of farming as a means for therapeutic meditation and deterring food insecurity. During her studies, she became passionate about local, small-scale change and developed an elaborate portfolio with items such as a policy brief titled “The Implementation of Green Streets to Improve Walkability and Connectivity in Statesville, North Carolina,” and the result of her capstone, “A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Sustainable Transitions in American Suburban Cities.” Catherine is excited about her career in sustainable development and work with communities to create meaningful and lasting change. Catherine is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
