I connect public, private, and political leaders to achieve challenging societal goals. As the Executive Director of CO-LABS and the Society for Science at User Research Facilities (SSURF), I advocate for taxpayer-funded scientific research and foster impactful connections across various sectors.♦ CO-LABS: Innovation Ecosystem ♦I lead a consortium of over 40 federally funded research labs, joint research universty institutes, technology companies and economic development orgs in Colorado. Our ecosystem enhances Colorado's economy through groundbreaking discoveries, job creation, and technology transfer successes.Key Achievements:✦ Expanded CO-LABS network by 50%.✦ Increased budget by 105%.✦ Organized 50+ lab tours for scientists, officials, and business leaders.✦ Managed Annual Governor’s Award for High-Impact Research.♦ SSURF: Promoting User Research Facilities ♦As the first Executive Director of SSURF, I support our mission to promote and serve the nation's network of user research facilities. My role involves strategic planning and communications, fostering connections with congressional leaders, and organizing the SSURF annual meeting.Key Achievements:✦ Boosted member engagement by 75%.✦ Organized 40+ Congressional/agency meetings in D.C..✦ Managed virtual and in-person annual meetings.♦ Early Career ♦After obtaining a BA in Environmental Conservation from CU-Boulder, I led public programs on taxpayer-funded open spaces with Boulder County Parks & Open Space and spearheaded environmental policy with the Colorado State Division of Wildlife. My fascination with the political forces shaping policies led me to the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, where I worked on sustainability and energy efficiency outreach programs.♦ Inspirations and Personal Attributes ♦I am passionate about advancing scientific breakthroughs and creating situations where people say, "Wow, I never thought of that before." My colleagues describe me as articulate, enthusiastic, curious, and professional. I excel at making connections across different professional and civic realms, advocating for the value of scientific research and innovation.♦ Looking Ahead ♦I continue to champion the importance of investing in scientific research and making the world a smarter, more sustainable, and collaborative place. I’m here to connect with community members who share similar interests. Let’s work together to solve today’s challenges and unleash our best tomorrow!