About Me

One sentence biography: Aging GenXer, Bostonian by birth, Californian by choice, passionate environmentalist who loves frogs, pika and wolves, lived with bison and grizzly bear neighbors in Yellowstone, calls the Yosemite area home, wanders in the Sierra high country every chance she gets, idolizes the fiction of Cormac McCarthy, has an artistic (and maybe the other kind as well) crush on Viggo Mortensen, has the four best dogs in the world, and serves in her dream job as California Director for the National Wildlife Federation. 

That's me--it's a pretty simple equation. Wait, I forgot my dark chocolate habit. Otherwise, if you want something more formal, read on:

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.
Albert Einstein

As a young girl, I was taught that we must strive to make a difference in the world. As a result, I simply cannot remember a time in my life when I was not involved in public service—from picking up litter for a Girl Scout project, to volunteering in schools as an adult. Throughout my career, I have incorporated my philanthropic values into my choice of professional roles as well, working for organizations where I could exercise my dedication to “social entrepreneurship.”

For over twenty years I have worked in environmental leadership roles and in two of the country’s largest national parks: Yosemite and Yellowstone. My professional life has been driven by my personal values—I am interested not only in doing good work, but also in doing good.

I currently serve as the California Director for the National Wildlife Federation and oversee wildlife conservation and educational work in the state. Before joining NWF in 2011, I worked on sustainability and climate change programs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts in Yellowstone as its Director of Environmental Affairs. Prior to my role in Yellowstone, for nine years, I served as the Vice President/CFO for the non-profit Yosemite Association in Yosemite National Park. I've also worked for Working Assets (Now Credo), the Harbinger and Dopaco.

Last year I was honored to be selected to train with Al Gore as part of his Climate Reality Leadership Corps. In 2007, I traveled to Japan as part of a month-long Rotary International Professional Exchange to study business, sustainability, and national park operations. I am also a member of the Association of Partners for Public Lands Training Corps, and serve on the advisory committee of the non-profit Save the Frogs. My work on sustainability in national parks has been featured in Sustainable Industries, Fast Company, Sierra Magazine, Green Lodging News, and on the Peter Greenberg Radio Show. I am also the author of the official Junior Ranger handbook for Yosemite.

As for my education, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts at Boston with bachelor's degrees in management and biological anthropology, and a minor in marketing. I also obtained a master's in business administration with honors from Regis University in Denver. In 2009, I earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Accredited Professional credential (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Under my leadership, Yellowstone’s environmental programs received environmental achievement awards from the National Park Service three years in a row, from 2009-2011.

My love of public lands has led me to explore the wilderness throughout the United States, hike the John Muir Trail, and wander extensively through the backcountry of Yosemite. I am also a distance swimmer, and in 2005 and 2012 swam the mile-long Tenaya Lake in Yosemite. In 2006, I completed another personal goal by running the Cape Cod Marathon with my father, and in September of 2007 I survived the grueling Tioga Pass Run--12.4 miles uphill and 3,000 feet of elevation gain to the entrance of Yosemite National Park. I have also run the Lewis and Clark Half Marathon in Bozeman, and the Big Sur Half Marathon in Monterey.

Originally a native of Massachusetts, I currently live outside of Yosemite (my favorite place on earth) with my dogs Tioga, Dante, Jeremy, and Aysun, my cats Calliope and Huxley, five fish, two rats, three toads, and the numerous frogs in my frog pond. 

The three best dogs in the world

Make that four! Jeremy is the newest member of the family.