Leadership and Staff
Jeff Warren, PhD, Executive Director
Formally trained as a marine geologist, Jeff Warren has spent the past 15 years in State-level science policy positions, including the coastal hazards policy specialist for the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (2004 to 2010) and the science advisor for the North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore (2011 to 2017).
Warren earned his BSc from the University of Arizona (1994), his MSc from Auburn University (1997), and his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2006). Warren’s academic research included field sites in the southeastern US, northern Mexico, the East and South China Seas, and Antarctica.
Al Segars, PhD, PNC Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Al Segars was appointed by the UNC-Chapel Hill Provost to serve as the Chair of the Collaboratory’s Advisory Board, which is comprised of faculty members across the university.
With expertise in the areas of innovation and technology management, Segars brings the perspective of strategic change to the challenges of adopting and using new technology and business processes. He has applied this expertise to new products, business models and supply chains for many of the most innovative organizations throughout the world.
Greer Arthur, PhD, Research Director
Greer Arthur is a molecular biologist and immunologist who completed a PhD and two postdoctoral research positions before moving into project and program management and research administration. She has also held several science communication roles, such as writing for The Lancet, a British medical journal, and multiple departments and institutes at NC State University.
Originally from the UK, she received her PhD in immunology (2015) and BS in biomedical sciences (2011) from the University of Leicester and Sheffield Hallam University.
Michelle Bunce, Executive Assistant
Michelle Bunce is a seasoned assistant with two decades of experience, including the last ten years working in the University of North Carolina system. Michelle is skilled in scheduling, correspondence and office management. She strives to be approachable, adaptable and resourceful. Michelle plays a critical role in keeping the Collaboratory office running and supporting Collaboratory staff and projects.
Laurie Farrar, Finance and Budget
Laurie has twelve years of service at Carolina, including previously having worked at the Office of University Counsel and the UNC-Chapel Hill Property Office processing financial transactions. Currently she works at the Finance and Operations Service Center as a Financial and Budget Analyst. Laurie provides financial analytics for Office of the Chancellor, Office of Public Affairs, and various offices within Finance and Operations. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Shaw University.
Claire Revere, Communications Director
Claire Revere is a versatile and creative communications professional with a proclivity for multimedia storytelling. She leverages the immersive nature of visual communication to pique curiosity, build empathy, and drive change to help create a more vibrant and just future for people and the planet. Her past roles, spanning the education, research, and nonprofit sectors, have diversified her PR skillset and prepared her to lead the Collaboratory’s communications efforts.
Claire received her MA in media and communications from UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Media and her BA in environmental humanities from Whitman College.
Steve Wall, JD, Outreach Director
Steve Wall has over two decades of experience working on legal and environmental policy issues at the state and federal levels. Steve’s prior work experience includes serving as a policy advisor in the Secretary’s Office of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He began his policy career in Washington, D.C. as a congressional aide working on environmental and agricultural policy.
Steve received his J.D. with honors from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law and his B.A. with honors and distinction in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill.