Experience

Watsonville Wetlands Watch

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Development and Community Outreach Director

  • Jun 2021 - Present

  In this role, I build and steward donor and community partnerships, raise funds and resources, and tell the story of the organization to advance WWW's mission to preserve, restore, and foster the appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley. Through our environmental restoration and education programs, we are working toward a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley, with our community at the center of its conservation. In this role, I build and steward donor and community partnerships, raise funds and resources, and tell the story of the organization to advance WWW's mission to preserve, restore, and foster the appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley. Through our environmental restoration and education programs, we are working toward a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley, with our community at the center of its conservation.



Self employed

• Stay at Home Mom

  • Nov 2017 - Jun 2021



Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Inc.

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations

• Executive Director

  • Aug 2016 - Oct 2017

  As Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, I worked with our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and supporters to provide healthy food, nutrition education, and referrals to working poor families, farmworkers, and elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals in the Pajaro Valley. PVLF provides a welcoming community space for shared meals, positive social interaction, mutual support, and service where all members are valued and nourished. As Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, I worked with our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and supporters to provide healthy food, nutrition education, and referrals to working poor families, farmworkers, and elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals in the Pajaro Valley. PVLF provides a welcoming community space for shared meals, positive social interaction, mutual support, and service where all members are valued and nourished.



Writing Sabbatical

• Watsonville, California

• Writer

  • Nov 2014 - Jul 2016

  Us Includes Them - Novel manuscript Brief synopsis: After the death of her mother, Jane finds herself back in her hometown of Salsipuedes (translation from Spanish: leave if you can) with a recent college degree, no job, and no idea what to do next. When Sister Sharon recruits her as a volunteer at the local soup kitchen, Jane has a challenging first encounter with Lula, the schizophrenic, self-appointed protector of the town’s marginalized and homeless denizens. Encouraged by her… Show more Us Includes Them - Novel manuscript Brief synopsis: After the death of her mother, Jane finds herself back in her hometown of Salsipuedes (translation from Spanish: leave if you can) with a recent college degree, no job, and no idea what to do next. When Sister Sharon recruits her as a volunteer at the local soup kitchen, Jane has a challenging first encounter with Lula, the schizophrenic, self-appointed protector of the town’s marginalized and homeless denizens. Encouraged by her chronically homeless Uncle Henry and long-time friend Pete, Jane commits to a year of volunteer service at St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen that transforms her relationship to her hometown and its inhabitants. When the 2008 financial crisis takes hold, more residents need assistance from the soup kitchen just as violence within the homeless community turns public opinion against St. Paul’s, reinforcing old divisions of “us and them.” Us Includes Them is an examination of belonging, community, and finding oneself through service to others. Show less Us Includes Them - Novel manuscript Brief synopsis: After the death of her mother, Jane finds herself back in her hometown of Salsipuedes (translation from Spanish: leave if you can) with a recent college degree, no job, and no idea what to do next. When Sister Sharon recruits her as a volunteer at the local soup kitchen, Jane has a challenging first encounter with Lula, the schizophrenic, self-appointed protector of the town’s marginalized and homeless denizens. Encouraged by her… Show more Us Includes Them - Novel manuscript Brief synopsis: After the death of her mother, Jane finds herself back in her hometown of Salsipuedes (translation from Spanish: leave if you can) with a recent college degree, no job, and no idea what to do next. When Sister Sharon recruits her as a volunteer at the local soup kitchen, Jane has a challenging first encounter with Lula, the schizophrenic, self-appointed protector of the town’s marginalized and homeless denizens. Encouraged by her chronically homeless Uncle Henry and long-time friend Pete, Jane commits to a year of volunteer service at St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen that transforms her relationship to her hometown and its inhabitants. When the 2008 financial crisis takes hold, more residents need assistance from the soup kitchen just as violence within the homeless community turns public opinion against St. Paul’s, reinforcing old divisions of “us and them.” Us Includes Them is an examination of belonging, community, and finding oneself through service to others. Show less



Farm Discovery at Live Earth

• United States
• Farming
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Development Coordinator (Grants)

  • Apr 2015 - Nov 2015

  As the part-time Development Coordinator for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP), I wrote grants and raised funds and resources to support LEFDP's mission to provide hands-on educational programs for youth on Live Earth Farm. As the part-time Development Coordinator for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP), I wrote grants and raised funds and resources to support LEFDP's mission to provide hands-on educational programs for youth on Live Earth Farm.



Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operations and Programs Officer

  • Jul 2010 - Oct 2014

  I led the Operations and Programs teams at Second Harvest, which are responsible for food acquisition, warehousing, and distribution; bilingual nutrition education and CalFresh (food stamps) outreach and application assistance; provision of information and referrals through the Community Food Hotline; member agency relations and support; volunteer services, facility maintenance; and grants management and evaluation. Aside from supporting my incredible staff in their daily activities, I worked… Show more I led the Operations and Programs teams at Second Harvest, which are responsible for food acquisition, warehousing, and distribution; bilingual nutrition education and CalFresh (food stamps) outreach and application assistance; provision of information and referrals through the Community Food Hotline; member agency relations and support; volunteer services, facility maintenance; and grants management and evaluation. Aside from supporting my incredible staff in their daily activities, I worked on program development, strategic planning, staff development, operational process improvement initiatives, public policy advocacy, and collaborative projects with other organizations. I also enjoyed working hands-on at our Watsonville-area USDA food distribution on the second Monday of every month.

• Operations Director

  • Apr 2010 - Jun 2010

  As Operations Director, I managed the Operations team including warehouse and distribution, facilities maintenance, food safety, food sourcing and inventory.

• Warehouse Manager

  • Sep 2009 - Mar 2010

  As Warehouse Manager, I supervised the Warehouse / Driver team in packing and delivering orders to our network of 200 member agencies and programs; managed our inventory and logistics; documented operations policies and procedures; worked on process improvements; and coordinated with our contractor and subcontractors on our capital expansion project.



Applied Survey Research

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Analyst - Homeless research

  • Sep 2008 - Sep 2009

  Coordinated participatory research with homeless populations in California and Nevada (including countywide census counts and peer-to-peer surveys). Analyzed data and wrote county-level reports on homelessness. Coordinated participatory research with homeless populations in California and Nevada (including countywide census counts and peer-to-peer surveys). Analyzed data and wrote county-level reports on homelessness.



Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Inc.

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations

• Executive Director

  • Jul 2006 - Oct 2008

  My role at PV Loaves and Fishes was multi-facted, including program development and administration, management of staff and volunteers, direct service provision to program participants, fundraising and grant writing, media / communications, community outreach, Board development, special events, and anti-hunger policy advocacy. Key accomplishments during my tenure as ED included: successful capital campaign to pay off mortgage on facility, construction of dining shelter, growth of agency… Show more My role at PV Loaves and Fishes was multi-facted, including program development and administration, management of staff and volunteers, direct service provision to program participants, fundraising and grant writing, media / communications, community outreach, Board development, special events, and anti-hunger policy advocacy. Key accomplishments during my tenure as ED included: successful capital campaign to pay off mortgage on facility, construction of dining shelter, growth of agency services to meet increased need (doubled annual budget and created agency reserve fund), implementation of bilingual nutrition education program, creation of agency website and particpant database, development of service learning partnership with Moreland Notre Dame School, increased revenues for annual Empty Bowls fundraiser through implementation of silent auction component, establishment of spring restaurant benefit fundraiser, initiation of Board strategic planning effort, and creation annual volunteer appreciation event. During my tenure as ED, we were recognized as the 2006 PV Organization of the Year. Show less My role at PV Loaves and Fishes was multi-facted, including program development and administration, management of staff and volunteers, direct service provision to program participants, fundraising and grant writing, media / communications, community outreach, Board development, special events, and anti-hunger policy advocacy. Key accomplishments during my tenure as ED included: successful capital campaign to pay off mortgage on facility, construction of dining shelter, growth of agency… Show more My role at PV Loaves and Fishes was multi-facted, including program development and administration, management of staff and volunteers, direct service provision to program participants, fundraising and grant writing, media / communications, community outreach, Board development, special events, and anti-hunger policy advocacy. Key accomplishments during my tenure as ED included: successful capital campaign to pay off mortgage on facility, construction of dining shelter, growth of agency services to meet increased need (doubled annual budget and created agency reserve fund), implementation of bilingual nutrition education program, creation of agency website and particpant database, development of service learning partnership with Moreland Notre Dame School, increased revenues for annual Empty Bowls fundraiser through implementation of silent auction component, establishment of spring restaurant benefit fundraiser, initiation of Board strategic planning effort, and creation annual volunteer appreciation event. During my tenure as ED, we were recognized as the 2006 PV Organization of the Year. Show less



Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• AmeriCorps volunteer

  • Dec 2005 - Jun 2006

  I served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville, California, in the Education and Outreach Department, providing educational presentations to the general public and school groups as well as working on policy advocacy. In addition, I assisted with food distribution to agencies. My projects included writing the 2006 Hunger Study report for Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, analyzing local draft general plans and providing recommendations on how to incorporate… Show more I served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville, California, in the Education and Outreach Department, providing educational presentations to the general public and school groups as well as working on policy advocacy. In addition, I assisted with food distribution to agencies. My projects included writing the 2006 Hunger Study report for Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, analyzing local draft general plans and providing recommendations on how to incorporate policies to improve healthy food access, writing articles for the food bank newsletter, and creating relationships with local nurseries to provide seedlings to low-income families to grow their own vegetables. Show less I served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville, California, in the Education and Outreach Department, providing educational presentations to the general public and school groups as well as working on policy advocacy. In addition, I assisted with food distribution to agencies. My projects included writing the 2006 Hunger Study report for Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, analyzing local draft general plans and providing recommendations on how to incorporate… Show more I served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville, California, in the Education and Outreach Department, providing educational presentations to the general public and school groups as well as working on policy advocacy. In addition, I assisted with food distribution to agencies. My projects included writing the 2006 Hunger Study report for Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, analyzing local draft general plans and providing recommendations on how to incorporate policies to improve healthy food access, writing articles for the food bank newsletter, and creating relationships with local nurseries to provide seedlings to low-income families to grow their own vegetables. Show less



City of Watsonville

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Literacy Assistant - Watsonville Public Library Homework Center Afterschool Program

  • Nov 2004 - Jul 2005

  Managed afterschool tutorial program for elementary, middle, and high school students. Provided direct instruction in various academic subjects. Assisted students with research and writing projects. Managed community volunteers. Conducted outreach. Managed afterschool tutorial program for elementary, middle, and high school students. Provided direct instruction in various academic subjects. Assisted students with research and writing projects. Managed community volunteers. Conducted outreach.