From what I can read it looks like you really only need built in functionality plus a user directory module, though I'd also extend this with some solid third party items.

• Drop the Contributor role.
• Auto-assign forum rights on registration.
• Each user can maintain their DNN profile by default - note that this is not their forum profile
• Extend the profile page with any number of custom fields
• There are third party profile extenders for photos and file attachments if needed
• Use a directory listing module such as the one by Effority, and there are many others wth various search options.
• Use Active Forums for possibly better integration with the core profile and also with addons such as Ventrian's Private Messages - And it's just plain better anyway.
• Also check out Rodney's User Profile module on Smart-Thinker.com
• Also consider Datasprings Dynamic Registration if you want your registration page to have questions and answers and assign roles based on the results.

From your listed requirements, I don't identify a need to have any more than an extensive profile page for each user and the above list covers that. It's also a lot easier to implement. You're right about the DNNProfile module - too risky.

Rob