Ph.D. Candidate, Social Ecology, Yale University, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Environmental Education Consultant

Skills
Assessment/evaluation; human resources, nonprofit management; organizational development; fundraising; conservation education; publications; international work

Goals for NAAEE
Based on my experience as an NAAEE board member, as well as my decade of service to the organization, I plan to focus on two key areas as an at-large board member:

• Financial Capacity: We must continually improve NAAEE’s financial security through diversifying our funding sources, pursuing innovative funding opportunities, and seeking support for initiatives aligned with our strategic plan. A financially stable NAAEE will be most effectively poised to engage new members, serve current members, and speak powerfully on behalf of environmental education. I have made significant contributions to our fundraising activities in the past and will continue to focus on improving NAAEE’s financial solvency and strengthen its organizational structures through grant writing, nurturing donor relationships, and other development activities.
• Membership and Diversity: A great opportunity exists to enhance NAAEE’s membership through engaging new constituencies while retaining current members. NAAEE membership should be an indispensable tool for all EE professionals, highlighting trends in the field; providing access to cutting-edge publications; and connecting researchers with practitioners. We must also be welcoming and meet the needs of individuals from a range of backgrounds; to do this, we must encourage and provide opportunities for diverse individuals to become involved in committees, commissions, and leadership positions. I am committed to actively pursuing efforts to help NAAEE become more multicultural and representative as I believe increased diversity will not only to improve the association, but also strengthen and broaden the appeal of the field as a whole.

Qualifications and NAAEE Experience

• Environmental Education (EE) Consultant (2001 to present); EE Specialist and Exhibition Coordinator, WWF (1998-2001); EE Specialist, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (1996-1998); Environmental Educator, Discovery Creek Children’s Museum (1995-1996); Outdoor Educator, InnerQuest (1995); Interpretive Ranger, Student Conservation Association, Grand Canyon National Park (1994)
• EPA’s National EE Advisory Council (appointment: 2007-2010)
• Society for Conservation Biology’s Conservation Education Working Group, 2006 to present
• Peer reviewer: Applied EE and Communications, Science Education, and the Journal of Zoo Biology, 2002 to present
• Teaching fellow, Issues and Approaches in EE, Yale University, 2001-2005
• Lead reviewer, EPA’s EE Grants Program, 2000 to present
• Morris K. Udall Fellow (Conflict Resolution and Environmental Policy), 2006-2007
• Switzer Fellow, 2002-2003
• Board Member, Connecticut Outdoor and EE Association,  2001-2003
• Program Chair, New England EE Alliance Annual Conference, 2003

NAAEE Experience                              

• Secretary, Board of Directors, Member of the Executive Committee, 2006 to present
• Chair, Personnel Committee, 2003 to present (Developed comprehensive personnel manual; instigated and implemented Executive Director review process; provide ongoing guidance on personnel-related issues)
• Member, Publications Committee, 2003-2006
• Presenter, Annual Conferences (1998-2000 and 2004-2007)
• Proposal Reviewer, Annual Conference and Research Symposium, 1999 to present
• Contributor, NAAEE’s Environmental Communicator, 1998 to present
• Co-creator and manager, International Commission E-Newsletter, 1999-2001
  

Education

• Ph.D. (expected 2008), Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University
• M.S. (1998), Environmental Education and Interpretation, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
• B.B.A. (1993), International Business, French, James Madison University