About

I approach my work with listening, collaboration, and writing skills grounded in curiosity and a passion for fostering social, cultural, and ecological resilience. I take care to understand your goals and audience so that I can preserve your message and ensure sucessful outcomes for your project.

Capabilities statement

Professional Experience. For more details, see my LinkedIn profile.

• Program manager, University of Northern Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Center, 2015–present
• Postdoctoral research associate, USDA-ARS, 2013–2015
• Adjunct ecology instructor, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2013
• Graduate research assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010–2012
• Environmental resources specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2002–2010
• Graduate teaching assistant, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1999–2002
• Environmental analyst, Labat-Anderson Incorporated, 1999
• Intern, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1998

Awards, Honors, and Grants Awarded

• Distinguished Service award for service as Area 23 Director, Toastmasters International
• Received and managed 17 grants totaling over $3,500,000 for my work as a program manager at the Tallgrass Prairie Center
• Received and managed 11 grants and fellowships totaling $102,411 for my graduate and postdoctoral research
• Missouri River Recovery Program award, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, awarded for high-quality interagency coordination and timely completion of predation management plan
• Contributed two articles to a newspaper series on Platte River water issues; the series received the Nebraska Wildlife Federation’s Conservation award and the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation’s national Excellence in Journalism award

Education

As a first-generation college student, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, a master’s degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a PhD in Natural Resource Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Outside of Work

When I’m not working, you can find me reading, cycling, walking my Schnauzer/terrier mix, figuring out how to fit more native plants in my yard, and learning the Cherokee language. I currently call Waterloo, Iowa home and have previously lived in Hawaii, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.