Oweesta believes that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native people hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural well-being of their communities. Oweesta's mission is to provide opportunities for Native people to develop financial assets and create wealth by assisting in the establishment of strong, permanent institutions and programs that contribute to economic independence. As Programs Officer, I managed a new initiative to build financial coaching capacity within Native Community Development Organizations and with community partners. I also conducted grants management, oversaw contractors, managed marketing and outreach, and co-wrote a financial education curriculum for young adults.

52 Islands is on the forefront of assisting Small Island Developing States with preparing for severe climate change impacts. Although a number of these island nations are already experiencing negative impacts, like seawater inundation and drought, the path forward is unclear. Solutions for these island communities will require the collaborative efforts of island government and councils, multilateral organizations, and, most critically, island citizens. We work to build these collaborative solutions and to help island communities rise to meet the changing tides. As Founder and Director of the organization, I oversaw development of the mission/vision/goals, work plan, and operating budget. I led a passionate team of volunteers to identify perception of risk and response to current and future climate impacts within vulnerable Pacific Island nations. The team initiated a successful crowdfunding campaign to conduct field work in a remote island of Tuvalu. Following the field work, I raised awareness regarding the unique challenges island communities face through speaking engagements with potential corporate sponsors, professional networks, and college classes.

The Biodiversity Funders Group is committed to support and grow a community of biodiversity grantmakers that pursues complementary and collaborative strategies. I was promoted from Outreach Associate to Program Manger for the Climate and Energy Funders Group, a network of foundations that support transitioning to a clean energy economy and mitigating climate change at the local, state, national, and international level. I conducted fundraising and grant management, including soliciting new philanthropic gifts, maintaining positive relationships with existing funder members, and drafting and submitting grant applications and reports. I facilitated three member workgroups that focused on energy efficiency policy, growing the clean energy economy in the Southeast US, and creating a carbon-free electricity system. I curated a monthly newsletter disseminated to 300 network members. I organized more than thirty webinars, reaching approximately 1,000 participants and organized annual meetings for climate and energy philanthropists and advocate speakers. I also represented the organization at funder and nonprofit meetings.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships, and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to American Indians and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care and tribal public policy; provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and to the Native Nations Institute to conduct environmental policy research, research on American Indian and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues, and training; and provides assessment, mediation, training, and other related services through the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.I supported senior staff with project management, administration, and coordinating and facilitating environmental conflict resolution processes. I conducted marketing and outreach through representing the agency at conferences and events. I drafted statements of work and project budgets for interagency agreements and contractor agreements.

Our Task’s mission is to empower and inspire young adults to lead the next generation in building a more sustainable future. I managed international interns in researching and summarizing leading world reports for addition on the Earth Wiki and in the Youth Earth Plan, a document that educates young adults and offers strategies for addressing global sustainability. I participated in intergenerational dialogues designed to increase multigenerational collaboration. I developed and implemented outreach through small donor fundraising campaigns.