Sue McGuire

Facilitator for “The Life Cycles of Nonprofits” session

I consult with organizations involved in nonformal education, including grant writing, program design and evaluation, organizational development, and strategic planning. I serve as adjunct faculty at Prescott College, AZ, advising graduate students in environmental education and interpretation. I am currently on the board of the Wyoming Association for Environmental Education. Previously I was the Director of Education at the Teton Science School, managing residential EE programs and the Professional Residency in Environmental Education. I worked for 10 years at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History where I developed education programs, designed exhibitions, and managed public programs, including an off-site environmental education center.

Laura Downey

Facilitator for “All you ever needed to know about having a successful EE organization you learned in kindergarten: Cultivating relationships with donors, members and funders” session

Laura’s first love is teaching children.  With a degree in Elementary Education, Laura has taught in Spain, the Chicago Public Schools and in Manhattan, KS.  Recently she completed her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction for Math, Science and Technology at Kansas State University.  Laura came to KACEE in 1998 and when asked during the interview process, what would keep her working with KACEE, she replied—I’ll continue working so long as I believe I am making a difference for environmental education in the state.  Apparently, she still feels like she’s making a difference!  Laura is currently the Executive Director for KACEE and has been actively involved in the Affiliate’s Network of the North American Association for Environmental Education as a former chair and current steering committee member for the Affiliate’s.  Laura’s current efforts include capacity building for environmental education both at the state and national level.  Laura is also still involved in the formal science education community, as a former board member for the Council for Elementary Science international and a frequent presenter for the National Science Teacher’s Association’s conference.

Gareth Thomson

Facilitator for “Policies and Plans” session

Gareth Thomson is Executive Director of ACEE and has 17 years experience in environmental education. Gareth currently serves as a Board member of the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM).  He has been a board member of several grantmaking foundations, served on Canmore's municipal Town Council, and taught at an International Baccalaureate high school.  Gareth has an engineering degree, an M.Sc. in Environmental Geology, and is a certified teacher. A proud father of two exceptional children, Gareth can still occasionally be sighted on the hiking trails in Alberta.

Kristen Nelson

Facilitator for “Volunteer Recruitment, Management and Tracking” session

Kristen Nelson is the Training Manager of VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads.  VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, the nonprofit resource center for southeastern Virginia since 1957, works with over 500 nonprofits to identify and address critical needs.  Nelson is responsible for the organization's professional development program including board and customized training, the Nonprofit Resource Training Series, Hampton Roads Institute for Nonprofit Leadership Conference, and the Nonprofit Leadership Development Center.

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads has been strengthening nonprofits and increasing civic engagement in Hampton Roads for 50 years.  Our mission is to increase the capacity of Hampton Roads’ nonprofit sector to address serious community issues by developing high quality training, supporting workplace volunteer programs, mobilizing citizens to volunteer and advocating for civic engagement and collaboration. We are a member of Hands On Network, Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network, and United Way of South Hampton Roads.

Nelson received her bachelor’s of science degree in sociology with a minor in human resource development from James Madison University.  She was named one of the Daily Press’ “Top Ten Professionals Under 30” in 2006.

Susan Toth

Workshop Lead Facilitator

Susan has been teaching EE programs for audiences ranging from elementary school age children to senior citizens for over twenty years.  In her capacity as Director of Education at the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center/College of Education/Florida Atlantic University, she has been a regional coordinator for educational and professional development programs; the principal investigator for numerous grants; and adjunct faculty developing and/or teaching college-level environmental education courses. Susan also works with local school districts to develop programs to address education reform issues, especially in the professional development of teachers in using environmental concepts as the integrating context for learning and in strategies for standards-based instruction.  She is super excited about the new partnership initiative between Pine Jog and Palm Beach County School District in building the first green public elementary school in the state of Florida – a school where all the curriculum will have an environmental focus.   Susan has served as a Board member for NAAEE and serves as a consultant for the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP), developing and teaching EE courses for a national audience.   She is very interested in the EE certification process being initiated in a number of states and has agreed to serve on the NAAEE Accreditation Review Panel.

Dan Allison

Workshop Co-Coordinator

Dan is the Executive Director of Nevada Natural Resource Education Council, the Nevada member of the Affiliate Network of NAAEE, leading efforts to increase capacity for EE in the state and provide professional development for educators. NNREC provides organization and governance support to EE nonprofits and agencies. Dan also substitute teaches to keep in touch with the realities of the classroom. Dan has working in residential outdoor education at a number of programs in California and provides leadership at the national level in ROS programs. Dan fills his time with contra dancing, hiking and backpacking, reading, and movies.

Stephanie Lefevre

Workshop Co-Coordinator

Stephanie Lefevre is the Executive Director and Founder of the Nevada Outdoor School located in Winnemucca Nevada.  She also serves as president of the board for the Nevada Natural Resource Education Council. She graduated from the University of Montana in 1997 with a degree in Liberal Studies and Environmental Studies. Stephanie Lived in Missoula, Montana for another two years, serving as an AmeriCorps member with the Montana Conservation Corps and learning a variety of skills that have become an important part of her career today. Stephanie began her masters degree in Portland, Oregon with a joint program between Pacific University and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in 2002. She completed the program through a distance learning option at Prescott College and holds her Master of Arts in Teaching and Science with a teaching endorsement.