Tara Pesterfield Email & Phone Number

Corvallis, Oregon, United States

As the Director of Regional Gift Programs at the Oregon State University Foundation, I lead dedicated team of Regional Gift Officers focused on connecting individuals across Oregon, Washington, and California with meaningful opportunities to support Oregon State University’s students and programs through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy. In my work with donors, I have the privilege of learning about the experiences that connect them to OSU, as well as the values, passions, and interests that shape their lives. With over 200,000 alumni and even more friends across the OSU community, there are countless unique OSU stories—and just as many opportunities to make a meaningful difference. My commitment is to connect individuals with opportunities that are both fulfilling for them and invaluable to Oregon State University’s mission and vision.

Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Corvallis, Oregon

Salem, Or

Salem, Or

Coos Bay, Or

As the Rocky Shores Education Specialist, I worked alongside interpretive park rangers at Sunset Bay State Park, Shores Acres State Park, and Cape Arago State Park to provide visitors with engaging and educational interpretive programs. I provided excellent visitor focused interpretation, education, and outreach about the natural and cultural resources around Sunset Bay in the following ways:• Demonstrated flexibility by adapting presentations, guided hikes, and activities to meet to needs audiences with varied ages, abilities, and knowledge on the topics being discussed.• Worked with children of all ages, from toddlers to young adults, during Junior Ranger programs and activities that teach kids about the outdoors.• Safely guided visitor groups of up to 56 people through an engaging exploration of the rocky intertidal area at the South Cove of Cape Arago by revealing mysteries of tide pool plants and animals and helping people build their environmental curiosity. • Empowered visitors to make a difference in their local environments by teaching them about the true lives of bats and the important role they play in our ecosystem during an hourlong evening program. Many participants left the program with a new appreciation of bats and the resources and knowledge needed make a difference in the lives of bats by building a bat box in their own backyard.

Corvallis, Oregon Area

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTOregon State University College of Forestry/July 2017-June 2018As an undergraduate research assistant, I worked on the “Oregon Outdoor Recreation Metrics: Health, Physical Activity, and Value” project with guidance from Dr. Randall Rosenberger. The purpose of this project was to create health metrics for Oregon State Parks to demonstrate the benefits that flow to people, communities, and the state through healthy lifestyles, lower health care costs, and overall quality of life. I contributed to this project it the following ways: • Conducted research about the intersections of outdoor recreation, parks, and public health and well being.• Organized and analyzed data from Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Survey to quantify the health benefits from outdoor recreation on public lands.• Collaborated with Oregon Health Authority to adapt a cost of illness estimator tool for recreation applications.• Created and presented a final report on the research findings and data analysis.

Corvallis, Oregon

The Student Sustainability Initiative is a student funded, student driven organization at Oregon State University that works to create a culture of sustainability through programming that fosters environmental, social, and economic justice. At the SSI I was the facilitator for the Living Lab Initiative. In this position, my main task was to help guide and mentor five other students with their sustainability projects and events.• Supervised the Landscape Projects Coordinator, Waste Projects Coordinator, Fair Trade Intern, Fresh from the Faucet Intern, and Reuse Room Intern by conducting weekly 1:1 check in meetings and providing feedback and guidance for their projects. • Facilitated initiative team meetings and all staff meetings.• Worked with the SSI advisor and leadership team to create and implement a strategic plan. • Served on various cross-campus event planning committees for events like the Student Leadership and Involvement Welcome Week Party and the Annual Sustainability Festival.• Enthusiastically represented the organization at outreach events and educational events.

Corvallis, Oregon

As the Water Projects Coordinator, it was my job to promote sustainable water behavior on campus and act as a liaison between the Student Sustainability Initiative and other water related groups on campus. In addition to serving as the water projects coordinator, I took on the role of the OSU Fair Trade liaison and helped the university pursue Fair Trade Certification.• Planned, arranged, and executed an outreach event that focused on educating students on sustainable water use and conservation called Water Wonderland, resulting in 228 students taking water conservation pledges. • Gained experience in grant writing and as a result was awarded a sustainability grant to increase the number of water bottle refill stations as part of the Fresh from the Faucet campaign.• Promoted Fair Trade certification at OSU through educational and outreach events. For example, I coordinated and moderated a panel discussion entitled Powered by Prison Orange.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Marketing

Current part-time MBA student

Honors Bachelor Of Science, Natural Resources With An Option In Recreation And Tourism Management

Activities and Societies: Natural Resources Club Vice President