Experience

American Forests

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

• Lead, 1t.org US Chapter

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  Trees and forests are a critical nature-based solution to climate change. That’s why 1t.org aims to connect, empower and mobilize a global reforestation community to conserve, restore and grow one trillion trees globally by 2030. The U.S. chapter facilitates the leadership of American companies, nonprofits, governments and individuals to help us reach this goal with unprecedented scale and speed. Trees and forests are a critical nature-based solution to climate change. That’s why 1t.org aims to connect, empower and mobilize a global reforestation community to conserve, restore and grow one trillion trees globally by 2030. The U.S. chapter facilitates the leadership of American companies, nonprofits, governments and individuals to help us reach this goal with unprecedented scale and speed.



Save the Boundary Waters

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Consultant

  • 2020 - 2020

  Provided consultative services to organizational leadership and team. Supported efforts to ensure permanent protection for the Boundary Waters Wilderness, America’s most visited wilderness area. Monitored, reviewed, and analyzed state and federal legislation and regulations related to programs and engaged with organizational leadership, lobbyist, elected officials to refine grassroots outreach strategy. Select Achievement: • Planned and developed strategy for drive-in rally to support the permanent protection of the Boundary Waters; encouraged supporters to stay in their cars during Covid pandemic—well over 200 supporters joined the rally. Show less



Wilderness Inquiry

• United States
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Policy, Partnerships and Programs

  • 2019 - 2019

  Interacted and engaged with private sector, philanthropic, and local, state, and federal government partners to provide exposure and gain support for Wilderness Inquiry programs and public policy goals. Owned strategic planning and outreach strategy for national and statewide expansion of award-winning $2 million Canoemobile Youth Program, a “floating classroom” that brings students out on local waterways to learn about science, history, geography, and culture. Select Achievements: • Collaborated and worked closely with Rep. McCollum’s district and Washington DC offices to help secure $3.5 million in federal appropriations language to support Wilderness Inquiry efforts. • Coauthored successful State of Minnesota grant proposals and ensured compliance and tracking of grant deliverables; positioned organization for successful grant opportunities with 2 national and one regional funder. • Grew Canoemobile Youth Program by establishing and stewarding relationships with key institutional funders, elected officials, NGO partners, and local, state, and federal government partners. • Presided over and managed efforts to expand partnerships and funding in Twin Cities, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, Grand Rapids, Washington DC, and more. Show less



National Recreation and Park Association

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

• Vice President of Urban and Government Affairs

  • 2014 - 2019

  Spearheaded organization’s efforts to support and protect $4.4 billion in federal funding that park and recreation agencies access each year, from the Transportation Alternatives Program, Recreational Trails Program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Afterschool and Summer Meals Programs, Community Development Block Grants, New Market Tax Credits, HUD resiliency and disaster funding, Water Infrastructure funding, and more. Select Achievements: • Increased Park Champion Program from zero to 500+ participants in 3 years and increased member capacity for advocacy by developing new wave association advocacy strategy and conceived Park Champion campaign. • Conceived Innovation Labs, interactive events in different cities around the U.S. Innovation Labs became a NRPA signature event, and featured content designed to provide attendees best practices and strategies to take back to their cities. • Drove outreach with the Department of Interior, Department of Housing & Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and more. • Led strategic planning and campaign development for “10-minute walk to a park” campaign, and served on campaign’s steering committee; additionally, served on Board for Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition. • Presenter at American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, City Parks Alliance, state association keynote addresses, mayor’s groups, and more. Author of award nominated Urban Parks Insider, a biweekly newsletter with over 5,000 readers. Show less



American Society of Landscape Architects

• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Manager, Government Affairs

  • 2010 - 2014

  Partnered with government relations team, executive leadership, government affairs committee, congressional offices, and federal agencies to create legislative strategy for 16,000-member urban design trade association. Determined organization position on legislative proposals and executed appropriate policy responses. Advocated for organization position with legislature and administration, including drafting letters and position papers. Assisted in drafting legislation, finding sponsors, and proposing amendments. Helped develop and implement strategies to work with other influential constituencies to advance policy positions. Select Achievements: • Championed ASLA work on Urban Parks Coalition, Land & Water Conservation Fund Coalition, Green Infrastructure Working Group, Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition, and Outdoor Alliance for Kids. • Provided policy advice to congressional offices and committee staff, including the Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act, the Community Parks Revitalization Act, and the Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act. • Spearheaded ASLA outreach to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and White House Council on Environmental Quality. • Increased public awareness and impact of campaigns by generating grassroots support for ASLA legislation; oversaw ASLA efforts to plan, fund, and develop innovative green street project at ASLA headquarters. • Co-created first ever database housing 450+ green case studies from around the U.S.; co-authored findings report which led to congressional briefing and was distributed to 535 members of Congress and leaders at U.S. EPA Department of Interior. Show less



ECMC

• United States
• Financial Services
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Director of Government Affairs

  • 2005 - 2009

  Built company’s government affairs efforts as first hire of newly formed government affairs unit. Set legislative strategy for all government relations and collateral to consistently articulate the organization’s mission and purpose. Collaborated with Vice President of Federal Affairs and worked closely with staff and members within the organization on a variety of strategic initiatives. Developed and implemented programs to educate elected officials and the public on important related topics. Select Achievements: • Designed system to track and analyze higher education finance and post-secondary education legislation and regulatory priorities and provided timely updates to business leaders • Monitored Department of Education student loan negotiated rulemaking and other regulatory activities, prepared summaries for board and agency executives, and provided recommended company response. • Developed and implemented successful Innovative College Access Programs as part of community engagement and outreach strategy, and executed communications strategy, including grassroots activation. Show less



BankIn Minnesota

• United States
• Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legislative Assistant

  • 2005 - 2005



Rapp Strategies, Inc.

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Grassroot Organizer

  • 2003 - 2003