Bailey Recktenwald

Bailey Recktenwald serves as the Policy Director for DNCR. Bailey previously served as a Climate Change Policy Advisor to former Governor Roy Cooper, where she led the Governor's climate resilience and natural lands initiatives. She has held various roles in North Carolina state government, including serving as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Department of Environmental Quality and Policy Development Analyst for the Department of Administration. Bailey also served as a governor-appointed member of the State of North Carolina Internship Council and is a proud alumni of the state's internship program.

Born and raised in Durham with two state employee parents and four public school teacher grandparents, Bailey grew up with a deep love for North Carolina and public service. Bailey's grandmother was a North Carolina craftswoman who sold her wares at art festivals across the state and taught her to appreciate North Carolina's folk roots. Bailey spent her childhood hiking and camping around Falls Lake, the Eno River, Umstead, Crowders Mountain, Pilot Mountain, and other state parks across North Carolina. Those camping trips inspired her to pursue a career in environment and sustainability.

Bailey received her undergraduate degrees in geography and public policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her Masters in Public Administration from Clemson University. Bailey lives in Raleigh with her partner and dog and still enjoys hiking and exploring all North Carolina has to offer.