I manage the Upper Willamette SWCD's grantmaking program to invest resources in local conservation programs and organizations, ranging from rural farmers markets, environmental education programs for youth, watershed restoration projects, urban greenspace enhancement, ecological and cultural burning, and more. I also collaborate with colleagues and partner organizations to identify and develop new projects and programs that are responsive to community needs. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) are special districts which provide for the conservation of the renewable resources of the state. We work with local landowners and residents, natural resource organizations, natural resource users, and local, state, and the federal government to conserve natural resources, control and prevent soil erosion, conserve and develop water resources and water quality, preserve wildlife, conserve natural beauty, and promote collaborative conservation efforts to protect and enhance healthy watershed functions.

From 2017-2023, I led United Way's Community Impact team, which manages a $1-$2 million annual grantmaking portfolio and coordinates programs to sustain and enhance the efficacy and impact of our many nonprofit collaborators. United Way invests in programs, services and collaborative partnerships that align with their strategic focus on improving outcomes for children and family in Lane County, guided by an adaptive understanding of where disparities exist in local communities. As well as providing grant funding, we sought opportunities to provide support and technical assistance to our network of community partners. This included hosting an annual breakfast with local elected representatives, offering program evaluation training facilitated by Dialogues in Action and racial equity trainings facilitated by Banyan Consulting.Beginning in 2020 I also led United Way's involvement in response and recovery efforts from the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, awarding $1.5 million in grants from a Wildfire Response Fund. I also participated in the formation of the McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group, and developed opportunities for organizational preparedness for community-based organizations in rural Lane County. During my tenure at United Way, my team piloted and implemented the Ride United program, which facilitates the home delivery of emergency food boxes to residents experiencing hunger or food insecurity. This program delivered thousands of meals directly to the doors of residents in need, alleviating food access barriers (transportation, pantry hours, stigma) and leveraging partnerships with organizations including FOOD for Lane County, the ARC of Lane County, Lane Community Health Council, and more. United Way brings a collective impact lens to work we engage in with partners, and we are continually focused on strategies to develop and sustain multi-sector collaboratives that can achieve greater results by working in concert towards shared goals.

Cascade Pacific RC&D works with people to enhance their communities through social, economic, educational, and environmental improvements. I led numerous community food systems projects and programs during my six years with CPRCD, including the development of an educational farm program at the Berggren Watershed Conservation Area, hosting the annual Local Food Connection conference, and establishing a regional chapter of the Rogue Farm Corps beginning farmer and rancher training program.CPRCD's work is based in rural communities in western Oregon. I worked collaboratively to advance shared goals with multiple and diverse partner organizations including land trusts, watershed councils, federal USDA agencies, food system advocacy groups, K-12 and higher education.

During graduate school, I was an employee of the interdisciplinary Food Studies Program, which developed out of a growing recognition that an integrated perspective on food matters is vital to developing fuller understandings of complex food-related issues. I coordinated Food Studies symposia, programming and events with both local and national faculty and partners. One of the signature efforts of the program during my time was advancing dialogue and planning to address food insecurity for students. We convened numerous stakeholder groups to identify opportunities to bolster food security on and around campus; this effort ultimately led to the creation of a cluster of new interventions to support student health.

The School Garden Project of Lane County helps schools develop onsite vegetable gardens where we teach children standards-based science and the basics of growing food, using the garden as an outdoor laboratory. I served for four years as their executive director, leading the organization through a stage of significant growth and expansion. Our organization's impact relied on successful and responsive partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, volunteers, and funders. We developed programming that fit the needs of local teachers and students, and engaged with many stakeholders to advance our vision of improving the well being of kids through garden education.

As an AmeriCorps member serving at Mosier Community School, I coordinated a variety of environmental and agricultural education programs. I developed and led programming at an on-site school garden, managed the process of securing Oregon Green School certification for the school, and wrote a grant to support the class of 5th grade students to attend an outdoor school program at Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.

I was a naturalist at the Shasta County Office of Education's Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES) for the 2004-2005 school year. WES hosted 5th and 6th grade classes from regional schools to attend a weeklong residential outdoor school program. I taught lessons on natural and cultural history, local biology and ecology, as well as safe wilderness travel.