Claire Buchanan Email and Phone Number

My primary responsibility is to serve as an Assistant Project Manager. I oversee compliance matters, budget and scope development, quality assurance and timeliness of deliverables, and customer satisfaction. I also assist in proposal development and manage and mentor junior staff.In addition to managing projects, I am assisting our team in developing our fisheries and research capabilities. I assist in marketing, business development, proposal preparation, and networking for all lines of business, but am focused on our fisheries services.

This new role was an organic transition toward more human resources related tasks and the support and development of The Lotus Method team. I have many of the same responsibilities as I did while "Chief of Staff". The most exciting shift in this transition is my concentrated focus on culture. I have enjoyed exploring ways to best align our culture with the TLM brand and mission and how to best weave it into all of our processes and interactions, from recruitment to managing client relations. I also get to spend more time interfacing with the staff and the clients. I am a connector and am fulfilled knowing that I am an available and knowledgable resource for both.

The Chief of Staff for The Lotus Method is a wildly new venture for me and quite the diversion from Fisheries and Environmental Sciences. On this new journey into the empowering and rapidly-growing world of The Lotus Method, I bring with me 5+ years of managing experience & leadership and well-developed organization and communication skills. I have settled into this role as truly a "Jill of all Trades", but my main responsibilities lie in management & operations, community engagement, and client growth. I lead and manage a team of 12 pre/postnatal exercise specialists at 4 locations. I manage a 300+ client base and coordinate both trainer and client schedules. I am constantly troubleshooting, brainstorming, and collaborating and have the pleasure of working with strong, smart, and empowering women--clients and coworkers alike. The opportunity for growth in this position is boundless and I find that I acquire new skills almost daily. The most interesting to me being: marketing, design, investing & business operations. In addition to my Chief of Staff position, I am a Certified Personal Trainer with specific pre/postnatal exercise education and work with our women both one-on-one and in a small group class setting.

Statewide Field Coordinator for the Heritage and Wild Trout ProgramAs a leader, I strive to build and maintain a positive and productive work relationship with my team members, while promoting camaraderie and integrity. Development and fulfillment are top priorities along with the effective and efficient execution of project goals. I pride myself in my sound judgment, thorough planning, and infectious enthusiasm. Main duties include:• Official lead of “crew leader” and crew, in charge of all necessary training• Facilitate and approve all administrative tasks (timesheets, travel reimbursements, & HR needs),• Responsible for addressing personnel issues, challenges in the field, or general questions prior to escalating to supervisor level.• Overseeing and executing the crew hiring and interview process• Conducting logistical planning of all field excursions and survey efforts (ie: determining objectives, developing prioritized goals, scheduling field operations, and coordinating with regional staff and stakeholders)• Managing budgets and creating monthly progress reports• Maintaining an open line of communication with my supervisors and crew in and out of the field• Participating in coordination meetings and building strong, positive working relationships with our federal partners and stakeholders.• Collaborating with IT to create a new database platform for our historic and current survey data

Lead of the CDFW's Heritage and Wild Trout Program's seasonal field crewWild Trout Field Work:• Conducted fish population surveys (backpack electrofishing and direct observation snorkel counts) and evaluated habitats on cold-water streams in support of the CDFW's HWTP• Collected fisheries data such as: fin clips for genetic analysis, scales, weights, and lengths while following standardized sampling protocols• Collected habitat data from cold-water streams such as: gradient, stream flow, substrate composition, cover types, widths, depths, and lengths• Conducted barrier assessments, angling surveys, and reconnaissance on streams• Utilized GPS units for geo-referencing points during surveys and for navigating through the back country• Worked with radio and acoustic tags and telemetry equipment to assess efficiency of tracking salmonids in various aquatic habitat types• Navigated kayaks in swift water for survey purposes• Participated in an ongoing, multi-agency Paiute cutthroat trout restoration project; conducted flow and dye studies using rhodamine and applied rotenone in Silver King Creek • Maintained and repaired all sampling equipment, towed camper trailers, and drove off-road• Traveled and backpacked in remote locations with heavy loads for extended periods of timeWild Trout Administrative Work:• Ensured the scientific integrity of data collected during field sampling through the use of QA/QC protocols• Generated Excel tables and graphs to summarize data collected during the field season• Assisted with writing summary reports of the waters where the crew worked• Used Microfish to project fish populations from multiple-pass electrofish surveys• Assisted with purchasing and budgeting for the program• Mounted salmonid scale samples onto slides that were collected throughout field season• Educated and informed the public on the function of the California Heritage and Wild Trout Program and the importance of native salmonid species

support the Steelhead Report and Restoration Card Program & Lake and Reservoir Management & Research Program