In 2019 I was appointed by Governor Newsom to the California Fish and Game Commission. We ensure that California will have abundant, healthy, and diverse fish and wildlife into the future, in an ever-changing environment. Specifically, as a five-person commission, we: create California’s fishing and hunting regulations; list and protect endangered and threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act; and fulfill our responsibility to provide all Californians with meaningful and equitable access to outdoor recreational opportunities. Established in 1870, the California Fish and Game Commission was the first wildlife conservation agency in the United States, predating the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries.http://www.fgc.ca.gov

Imagine, shape and direct all aspects of interdisciplinary, 12-month intensive master’s program in marine biodiversity and conservation; support and incubate 20+ innovative, solutions-based master's Capstone projects per year; invent, implement and oversee dynamic and specialized curriculum to best equip graduate cohort with scientific, economic, communication, policy and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed as next generation of ocean leaders; and prioritize justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in action in the MAS MBC Program, to support diverse representation at the highest levels of ocean conservation leadership in the U.S.

Teach hands-on Ocean Law and Policy course, interdisciplinary 16-unit Introduction to Marine Biodiversity, Conservation & Global Change course, and other graduate-level coursework. Received Scripps Institution of Oceanography Teaching Excellence Award, as "Graduate Teacher of the Year" for 2017-2018.

I teach law students, undergraduates, master’s and PhD students from other universities and programs about offshore oil and gas, conflict resolution and marine protected areas.

The San Diego Environmental Film Festival offers a platform for filmmakers from around the world to amplify unheard stories. We highlight emerging talent, enhance access to unique content, provide new opportunities for learning, and build community within and outside San Diego. The films showcased by SDEFF spark curiosity and inspire on-the-ground actions by new audiences.

Offer deep expertise and leadership on ocean and coastal policy issues including habitat protection, fisheries management, water quality and ocean acidification; conduct objective, science-based assessments and create communication assets that support forward-thinking and action-oriented strategic planning and decision-making; cultivate non-traditional alliances that connect scientists, users and policy-makers, particularly in the presence of competing interests on contentious issues; direct campaigns aimed at achieving clear ocean conservation outcomes; and blend all facets of this work with a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equitable impacts of public policy.

Led Oregon Environmental Council's Water program and all associated components, including: program management, fundraising, coalition-building, policy analysis, advocacy and outreach. I developed and directed the program on issues related to: water quality and agriculture, smart and efficient use of water, and safe drinking water and groundwater. Finally, I co-developed and implemented internal and external organizational policies and best practices on equity, diversity and inclusion.

Occupied senior management position within national ocean organization; led organizational effort to successfully maintain and defend California's marine protected areas (MPAs), in particular by convening NGOs and facilitating coordinated MPA integration efforts with Ocean Protection Council, California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission; designed and implemented goals, strategies and objectives for successful Ocean Conservancy Pacific program; remotely supervised and evaluated staff and contractors throughout California; managed and reported on grant deliverables for multiple programs under deadline; created and tracked budgets; and served as primary media spokesperson for Ocean Conservancy on West Coast.

Worked alongside agencies, stakeholders and decision-makers to successfully adopt a statewide network of MPAs, covering 16% of California waters; appointed to West Coast Governors Alliance Action Coordination Team; helped lead efforts to create and fund the West Coast Ocean Data Portal; translated complex technological concepts into understandable educational materials and an accessible user interface for ocean data; reinvigorated Ocean Conservancy’s Pacific Fish program; and drafted grant proposals and reports for multiple programs.

Worked with fishermen, scientists, Tribes and agencies to design a science-based, statewide network of MPAs in California through the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA); advised partners and colleagues throughout state on MLPA goals, strategies and tactics to ensure strongest possible conservation outcome; and succeeded in designing a network that now covers 16% of California state waters and 850 square miles.

Negotiated scientifically complex settlement agreement among conservation interests, Alameda County, and wind turbine owners and operators for politically contentious lawsuit over avian mortality at Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area; advocated on behalf of Bay Area wildlife and habitat through myriad restoration and management projects; created goals, strategies and budgets for all organizational programs; managed staff and volunteers; and managed grant deliverables for multiple programs.

Launched coalition and led multi-year campaign to secure MPAs off Oregon’s coast; sat on steering committee to create western snowy plover Habitat Conservation Plan, reduce human impacts on a threatened species, and enhance recreation along Oregon’s 362 miles of coastline; advocated on behalf of ocean policy reform and endangered species protection in federal and state legislatures; and managed grants.

Completed in-depth research project on the biological and ecological effects of grazing in Oregon, as related to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Endangered Species Act; and researched Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act issues, as related to Tribal communities.

Appeared in courtroom daily, representing the state of Oregon at arraignments and release hearings; made release recommendations; established probable cause; drafted/negotiated plea bargains; and issued cases.

Organized volunteers; identified and researched legal and non-legal issues regarding removal of the four Lower Snake River dams; raised public awareness of and lobbied political support for the Salmon Planning Act.

Drafted pleadings, including memoranda in support of summary judgment and reply briefs, on issues related to Administrative Procedure Act, Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act. These legal documents were specifically related to the ongoing, landmark ballast water case.