Working closely with the State Director, the State President assists with project goals for the year, delivers AARP programs and is the volunteer spokesperson, chairing the AARP Vermont Advisory Council, building networks and community partnerships, and recruiting volunteers. Bowden was the winner of the 2018 VT Andrus Award for community service - the organization's most prestigious honor - for her work in the community. She is a member of the AARP Livable Communities Team and is an AARP Community Grants Review Team Member. She has taken the lead on a number of other state office initiatives.

Working with the Livable Communities Team, coordinate monthly AARP Coffee Talk hours with speakers and activities, serve as an adviser on the Livability Team Committee, and serve as a member of the Advisory Council. Co-teacher for an Olli course on Livable Communities.

Experienced educator able to manage time and budget sensitive projects. Specialize in training and mentoring scientists in creative ways to interpret their research to a lay public. Think TED Talk on a more local level!

Advise and give feedback for daytime programming.

Managed guest experience, on a daily basis, from creating and delivering educational programs to training volunteers. Led and organized festivals and trained interns. Organized science programs and assisted with the marketing of all programs to the general public.

• Worked with University professors to interpret science to citizens for public education, through NSF Grants, for broader impact. • Program Coordinator for ECHO’s part in the Burlington Signature Quadricentennial Celebration: offered a 7-week speaker series averaging 40 adults/session, coordinated 7 programs/daily with Native American Indigenous Celebration 4-day encampment, plus coordinated Artist-in-Resident and served as Parade coordinator; guest on VT Public Radio program.• Program Coordinator for Voices for the Lake which presents stewardship through social media; connecting people who care about the health of their watershed with shared stories and regional resources, answering questions for scientists through our ECHO facebook page, twittering about upcoming events, and presenting innovative social media programs for the floor.• Developed two signature adult dialogue programs: Café Scientifique, 6 programs/year averaging 70 people/session; ECHO After Dark, 6 programs/year averaging 88 people/session; . established partnership with VT Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and Vermont Public Television to cross promote their science based program Emerging Science.• Participated as an NGO Partner in training teachers for Champlain Basin Education Initiative and 18-month training program Watershed for Every Classroom. • Managed 21 changing exhibit openings from September 2003 • Developed and taught education programs; developed public programs around changing exhibits.• Gave keynote presentation for Vermont Forensics Lab Conference on Champ: The Unsolved Mystery of the Lake. • Deliver monthly radio programs and TV spots as needed for exhibit and public program offerings.

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, developed the education programs from the ground up for the Aquarium, marketed, implemented and taught curriculum based hands-on learning experiences for school-aged children in a Ministry funded LEOTC “Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom” program. Organized specialized tours and public programs.