I am the Director of Public Health Innovation at San Juan Basin Public Health. After finishing my B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Fordham University, I decided to put my home state of New York behind me. For the next several years I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps VISTA Leader of various watershed organizations, primarily focusing on the complex issues related to mining in Western Maryland, Colorado and New Mexico. Through my experiences working in mining communities and then living in New Orleans, my research interests brought me to Utah State University where I completed a M.S. in Environmental Sociology, focusing on perceptions of hydraulic fracturing in South Texas. After working to place AmeriCorps VISTAs in rural communities facing impacts from resource extraction, I was promoted in to a Program Director role that focuses on leveraging partnerships for all Stewards initiatives and creating value added projects for Conservation Legacy. I oversaw a number of initiatives, including several partnerships with the National Park Service. In 2019 I was fortunate to start a dynamic and gratifying career in public health. My role covers a range of topics including substance use prevention, suicide prevention, food security, grant writing, data analysis, climate change, economic security, and more, working with diverse partners and gaining experience working with and in local government.
Outside of work, I enjoy trail running, playing soccer, traveling, camping, mountain biking, playing music, and cooking.
Outside of work, I enjoy trail running, playing soccer, traveling, camping, mountain biking, playing music, and cooking.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SAN JUAN BASIN PUBLIC HEALTH, Durango, CO
Director of Public Health Innovation (11/2019 – Present)
Influence strategic direction of the organization in a variety of community and agency settings and promote inter-entity collaboration to achieve goals and objectives outlined in the public health improvement plan.
Primary Duties:
CONSERVATION LEGACY, Durango, CO
Program Director (9/2017 – 10/2019)
Promoted within organization to manage programs that place interns nationwide in positions with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, totaling over $8 million in yearly invoicing.
Research and Development Coordinator (3/2017 – 8/2017)
Promoted within organization to manage site development and build program-wide partnerships, assisting with operation of over 300 sites in 45 states across the U.S. Lead and facilitated research to better understand the impacts of programs and members.
Program Coordinator (1/2016 – 2/2017)
Oversaw development and operation of 50 sites in 12 states across the U.S., resulting in a 40% increase in operational impact. Increased site portfolio by 40% resulting in 5% increase in budget in the first year.
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE, Durango, CO
Adjunct Professor (8/2018 – 4/2019)
Planned, prepared, and conducted Introduction to Sociology course for two semesters, with class size ranging from 30-38 students.
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, Logan, UT
Research Assistant (1/2014 – 12/2015)
Wrote and edited proposed publications on topics that include media portrayal of hydraulic fracturing, outreach to absentee landowners, and costs/benefits of hydraulic fracturing in Texas. Performed literature reviews, data collection, and analysis in support of 3 reports and articles, as well as presentations at 2 professional conferences.
AMERICORPS, WESTERN HARDROCK WATERSHED TEAM, Durango, CO and Albuquerque, NM
Team Leader (8/2010 – 12/2012)
Promoted to oversee 30 AmeriCorps VISTAs at watershed non-profits throughout CO and NM, maintaining a 95% retention rate. Submitted quarterly reports to overseeing state agency on remediation and education projects conducted by AmeriCorps VISTAs.
Watershed Coordinator (6/2009 – 6/2010)
Created outreach materials, recruited volunteers, organized and coordinated fundraising events, and gave presentations to schools and potential partnering organizations, generating over $20,000 of in-kind support for the George’s Creek Watershed Association.
SAN JUAN BASIN PUBLIC HEALTH, Durango, CO
Director of Public Health Innovation (11/2019 – Present)
Influence strategic direction of the organization in a variety of community and agency settings and promote inter-entity collaboration to achieve goals and objectives outlined in the public health improvement plan.
Primary Duties:
- Project manager on public health projects including behavioral health, social determinants of health, public health informatics, and the community health assessment.
- Determine assessment methodologies and direct program and demographic data collection, interpretation, and reporting.
- Secure grant funding to maintain, expand, or establish the means to effectively execute agency-related strategies and objectives.
- Research environmental and public health risks and strategic solutions in collaboration with local, state, and federal organizations.
- Develop and maintain relationships with San Juan Basin Public Health staff, community leaders, and state partners to improve the health and environment for everyone who lives in or visits the jurisdiction.
CONSERVATION LEGACY, Durango, CO
Program Director (9/2017 – 10/2019)
Promoted within organization to manage programs that place interns nationwide in positions with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, totaling over $8 million in yearly invoicing.
Research and Development Coordinator (3/2017 – 8/2017)
Promoted within organization to manage site development and build program-wide partnerships, assisting with operation of over 300 sites in 45 states across the U.S. Lead and facilitated research to better understand the impacts of programs and members.
Program Coordinator (1/2016 – 2/2017)
Oversaw development and operation of 50 sites in 12 states across the U.S., resulting in a 40% increase in operational impact. Increased site portfolio by 40% resulting in 5% increase in budget in the first year.
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE, Durango, CO
Adjunct Professor (8/2018 – 4/2019)
Planned, prepared, and conducted Introduction to Sociology course for two semesters, with class size ranging from 30-38 students.
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, Logan, UT
Research Assistant (1/2014 – 12/2015)
Wrote and edited proposed publications on topics that include media portrayal of hydraulic fracturing, outreach to absentee landowners, and costs/benefits of hydraulic fracturing in Texas. Performed literature reviews, data collection, and analysis in support of 3 reports and articles, as well as presentations at 2 professional conferences.
AMERICORPS, WESTERN HARDROCK WATERSHED TEAM, Durango, CO and Albuquerque, NM
Team Leader (8/2010 – 12/2012)
Promoted to oversee 30 AmeriCorps VISTAs at watershed non-profits throughout CO and NM, maintaining a 95% retention rate. Submitted quarterly reports to overseeing state agency on remediation and education projects conducted by AmeriCorps VISTAs.
Watershed Coordinator (6/2009 – 6/2010)
Created outreach materials, recruited volunteers, organized and coordinated fundraising events, and gave presentations to schools and potential partnering organizations, generating over $20,000 of in-kind support for the George’s Creek Watershed Association.
EDUCATION
Certificate Program, Yale University, Climate Change and Health, July 2020
M.S., Utah State University, Environmental Sociology, December 2015
B.A., Fordham University, Cultural Anthropology; Minor: Environmental Policy, May 2008
Certificate Program, Yale University, Climate Change and Health, July 2020
M.S., Utah State University, Environmental Sociology, December 2015
B.A., Fordham University, Cultural Anthropology; Minor: Environmental Policy, May 2008