I am an experienced executive leader with a diverse professional background in academia, nonprofits, and trade associations spanning the agriculture and natural resource sectors. I leverage my knowledge and ability to translate complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences for informed and successful decision-making.I serve as the Vice President and Technical Director for the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA), a nonprofit agricultural trade association supporting the needs of barley malt producers and end-users. In my role, I support multiple initiatives within the Association’s core areas of work executing on strategic communications, coalition building to tackle complex industry challenges, and developing relationships and processes for effective nonprofit management.Additionally, I lead the National Barley Improvement Committee, a coalition of barley interests which secures both funding and favorable agricultural policies at the federal level. My work has successfully leveraged millions in investment for public barley research across multiple legislatively supported initiatives. Previous to AMBA, I spent over a dozen years working in academia, focused in Land Grant University research and extension roles across four states with increasing levels of responsibilities and leadership. Most recently, I served as the Director of the Upper Peninsula Research & Extension Center, an agricultural research station for Michigan State University. I managed a diverse portfolio of farm enterprises which included several staff and a wide range of grant funded research ventures. I found success in my extension roles due to my ability to translate complicated scientific issues to broad audiences.I am passionate about leveraging the experiences and skills gained in my professional life to support positive impact in my local community. I serves on multiple philanthropic and youth focused boards and was elected to the public school district’s board of education in 2021. I reside in Duluth, Minnesota with my husband and two children.I actively seek leadership opportunities to serve organizations that benefit from my systems oriented mindset, which has developed several successful programs and processes throughout the agricultural and natural resource sectors. I welcome opportunities for board service, mentorship of emerging leaders, development of strategic partnerships, and speaking engagements to deliver thought leadership.