Experience

Washington State Parks Foundation

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Government & Community Affairs Strategist

  • Oct 2014 - Present

  Lead and advise on state government relations, fundraising, email marketing and outreach with public officials, corporations, foundations and parks-goers for this local nonprofit whose mission is to support and advocate for the Washington State Parks system. Lead and advise on state government relations, fundraising, email marketing and outreach with public officials, corporations, foundations and parks-goers for this local nonprofit whose mission is to support and advocate for the Washington State Parks system.



The Center for Natural Lands Management - Washington Program

• Consultant: Government Affairs and Collaborative Conservation

  • Nov 2014 - Dec 2015

  Advise and execute government relations activities and coordinate the "Sentinel Landscape Initiative"​ collaborative on strategies to accelerate the conservation of the northwest's most imperiled habitat - the prairies of the Puget Sound lowlands. Sentinel Landscapes partners include the Dept. of Defense - US Army, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, State of Washington agencies (Depts. of Veteran's Affairs, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife) Thurston County and local nonprofits.Sentinel Landscapes info can be found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/07/17/supporting-military-readiness-and-training-through-environmental-conservation



Puget Sound Partnership

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• External Affairs Director

  • Jan 2012 - Jul 2014

  The Puget Sound Partnership is a state agency that uses a collective impact approach to protect and restore the Puget Sound ecosystem. Served on executive team and advisor to executive director on government and stakeholder relations, strategic communications and opportunities for regional and national collaborations to advance environmental policies and funding goals. Worked closely with the Obama Administration, Members of Congress and the Governor's office to advance public policy measures and increase appropriations to restore and protect Puget Sound. Managed External Affairs dept. of governmental relations, campaign, communications, social media and design professionals. Managed and worked via cross-functional teams within agency and with external partners and business associations to develop and align policy positions, coordinate advocacy strategies and execute strategic communications to secure support for environmental and scientific research initiatives.Led coalition engagement activities with tribal, county and city governments, businesses, nonprofits, watershed restoration groups and Governor-appointed board members. Managed contracts and work plans for lobbyists and local government associations. Results from advocacy strategies, relationship-building and leadership skills include:creation of a Congressional Caucus for Puget Sound$900M secured in state appropriations towards agency priorities$95M secured in federal appropriations that incorporated 45% increase in President's budget timely communications pieces (traditional, earned & electronic media) and official publications were created and disseminated to the public, government officials and coalition partners to use in information campaigns about the need for action and steps required to restore Puget Sound.



The Nature Conservancy

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Federal Government Relations Director

  • Jun 2005 - Jan 2012

  Served on Senior Management Team for Washington State program of this global conservation organization. Served as senior policy advisor on federal government relations strategies. Responsible for drafting federal government relations agenda and leading the execution of tactical plans to achieve annual federal policy and apppropriations goals.Managed department and staff focused on public fundraising and the administration of government grants and contracts. Experienced in testifying before Congress and responsible for representing organization’s interests in meetings with the Administration, Congress, state and local governments.Strategies pursued resulted in over $350M in federal appropriations and passage of federal legislation in support of The Nature Conservancy's goals and mission.

• Government Relations and Grants Manager

  • Feb 2002 - Jun 2005

  Cultivated new relationships with federal, state and local agency leaders to further annual government relations policy agenda and public fundraising goals.Created and led the execution of federal and state appropriations and government grants fundraising strategy that resulted in $47M for operating and capital budgets to protect and restore habitats and implement ecological research activities.Managed staff focused on public fundraising and the administration of government grants and contracts.

• Agency Relations and Grants Specialist

  • May 1999 - Feb 2002

  Cultivated relationships with public agencies in three states with goal to secure government grants and contracts.Created new government grant and contracts administration and accountability programs. Negotiated over 100 awards and contracts with local, state and federal agencies including innovative agreements to fund complex real estate acquisition and restoration projects.