Stephanie Stowell Email & Phone Number

Wichita, Ks, Us

Albuquerque, Nm, United States

Greater Denver Area

This executive position advances the mission and goals of Denver Zoo by establishing an ambitious vision and direction for the Learning Experiences & Guest Engagement Department, the team responsible for all onsite and community-based education and guest engagement programs, volunteer services, and interpretation. Drives innovation and oversees program development, implementation, evaluation, assessment of impact, and continuous improvement. Directs and oversees operations and resources toward an effective self-supporting Department, including but not limited to budgets, grants and gifts, marketing, scheduling, reporting, personnel and departmental organization. Analyzes relevant data, industry trends, and research to inform direction and day-to-day decisions. Provides strategic leadership across the zoo by collaborating with key stakeholders to achieve the zoo’s mission. Serves as an active member of the zoo’s Executive Team responsible for zoo-wide leadership and the strategy to fulfill Denver Zoo’s mission.

Pueblo, Co

Served as the senior executive with the responsibility for overall institutional operations and performance including misson-related education, conservation and guest experience programs. Oversaw future development and planning including short and long range plans and overall facilities master plans. Assumed primary responsibility for zoo's human and financial resources; including management of 30+ staff and an operating budget of $1.7million. Served as the zoo's primary fundraising officer including implementation and management of a $1.3million capital campaign cultivating individual, corporate and foundation donors. Served as the zoo's primary spokesperson with key constituents including community leaders, elected officials, funders, regulators and professional peers.

Provide consultation and support to Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) institutions in implementing and evaluating co-delivered Master’s programs for formal and non-formal educators via the Advanced Inquiry Program. Serve as Lead Instructor, Academic Advisor and Course Coordinator for the Global Field and Advanced Inquiry Programs offering firsthand experience for educators in inquiry-driven education, conservation stewardship and global & cultural understanding. Develop programs and serve as Instructor for Earth Expeditions courses, immersing educators in in-situ conservation projects. Online courses taught: Conservation Science & Community, Issues in Biodiversity, Biology in the Age of Technology, Issues in Evolution. In-situ courses taught: Mongolia Earth Expedition, Borneo Earth Expedition, Belize Earth Expedition, Baja Earth Expedition. http://www.projectdragonfly.org/gfp/index.phphttp://www.projectdragonfly.org/aip/index.phphttp://www.earthexpeditions.org/

Directed program development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs for children and adults that advanced the mission of the organization. Developed long-term strategic priorities and associated partnerships at the community, regional and national levels. Implemented departmental reorganization based on strategic plan and program evaluation. Oversaw a staff of 35 and volunteer program of more than 700 members. Collaborated across departments to align conservation priorities with interpretive messaging and programming to increase public awareness of institution’s regional and international conservation programs. Served as active member of organization’s executive leadership team. Worked collaboratively with Development department to raise funds to meet institutional and education department goals (approx. $750K annually). Maintained fiscal budgetary control of department’s $2.5 million annual budget, including revenue generation of $500K annually.

Oversaw conservation education program development, implementation and evaluation for National Wildlife Federation’s eight regional field offices. Served as liaison between national office and regional office leadership staff. Supervised staff of twelve across the country and managed $1M budget. Responsible for development and implementation of key strategic partnerships at national and regional levels. Raised program funds through collaborative fundraising with national and regional offices.

Managed national K-12 environmental education programs for nation’s largest membership-based conservation organization. Integrated three program areas within the organization: educator professional development, curriculum development, and Schoolyard Habitats projects certification. Improved program outreach and maintained 35% annual increase in program enrollment. Increased outreach efforts for educator programs, reaching more than 2500 educators nationwide through more than 100 hands-on workshops. Researched and analyzed current education reform issues and trends; developed program materials and training programs reflecting current research. Worked with outside vendors and consultants to develop and distribute program resources and marketing materials. Directed and administered national mini-grant program. Cultivated and maintained strategic partnerships with national and regional organizations to expand program reach and increase effectiveness and quality of programs. Raised funds through grant-writing and development of corporate sponsorships to support national and regional program implementation. Supervised staff of six. Managed $500,000 annual budget.

Ma, Curriculum & Instruction / Environmental Education

Ba, Asian Studies