Experience

Emerald Cove Outdoor Science(ECOS) Institute
• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Executive Director

  • Aug 2019 - Present


Emerald Cove Outdoor Science Institute (ECOS)

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Educational Partnerships

  • Oct 2014 - Sep 2021

  Expand partnerships between the institute and both public and private schools; report to Executive Director. Participate in discussions and decisions on administrative matters including budget management, disciplinary actions, and contracts. SCHOOL RECRUITMENT: Grew enrollment 19% since joining the organization, achieving nearly double the goal for enrollment growth; attracted more Orange County school districts, and expanded to Los Angeles schools. ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION: Built relationship with network of alternative education charter schools. Coordinated with administration to bring students from throughout California to attend ECOS. PARTNERSHIPS: Implemented partnership between schools participating in ECOS programming and pre-service teachers. TEACHER TRAINING: Trained teacher chaperones on how to recruit students and prepare them for the curriculum. CURRICULUM INTEGRATION: Demonstrated how experiential program connects and supports state and national science standards (NGSS). Show less



Orange County Department of Education

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Administrator/Board Member/Executive Committee/Advisor

  • Sep 1985 - Aug 2014

  Led four environmental science education programs serving up to 150,000 students, teachers, and community members annually. Directed all team members, reporting to Executive Director.The award-winning programs provide hands-on instruction in wilderness settings, with two residential sites in which students stay overnight.Leadership and program management experience and accomplishments included: PROGRAM CREATION: Spearheaded creation, funding, and launch of community programs that provided experiential learning for students and their families. Secured $6M in funding for the first four years.RELATIONSHIP BUILDING & OUTREACH: Increased registration for Outdoor Science School from 6,000 to 11,000 through outreach to school district offices.BUDGET MANAGEMENT: Administered $4.4M to $10M budget, keeping expenses within budget despite unexpected challenges including weather, fire, transportation, and public health issues.NETWORKING & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: Identified private organization, Emerald Cove Outdoor Science Institute, and established mutually beneficial partnership.PARTNER/SPONSOR RELATIONS: Collaborated with corporate partners including Boeing, Disney, Chevron, and Southern California Edison on volunteer programs, coordinating with executives.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGN: Introduced instructional and group management training into informal science programs, showing instructors teaching methods to better engage students and their teachers, and integrate programs with the schools’ science curricula.FUNDRAISING & DONOR RELATIONS: Led raising of an additional $935,000 annually, and fostered strong relationships with $5M annual donor, $50,000-$80,000 donor, and company boards. PROGRAM EXPANSION: Established and maintained relationships with public agencies, helping secure contracts to provide environmental education as a vendor for Orange County Parks, Orange County Waste and Recycling, Anaheim Public Utilities, and the City of Newport Beach. Show less

• Inside the Outdoors Coordinator/Program Manager

  • Sep 1990 - Jun 2000

  Promoted from Lead Naturalist to Program Manager and then Coordinator following strong performance in developing curricula, liaising with multiple organizations, and supervising team members. Oversaw school and field program operations, leading 40 employees (with 3 direct reports). Developed and monitored budget and facilitated implementation of grants.


Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp
• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Girl's Program Director

  • Jun 1980 - Aug 1988