About Me

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. After college, I accepted a position as the environmental manager for a large manufacturer, where during my tenure I succeeded in eliminating hazardous waste from the operation. My quest for meaningful work also led me to a role at Working Assets, a progressive phone company that donates its proceeds to charity. Most recently, I served for nine years as the Vice President/CFO for the non-profit Yosemite Association working to support education in Yosemite National Park.

In my new role as Director of Environmental Affairs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone, I am excited about working on sustainable business programs for a progressive company in America’s first national park. Ours is a consumer driven society, and I believe our best hope for enacting change is in the marketplace. Xanterra has an impressive environmental record and is a leader in the hospitality industry in sustainability.

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 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

Aside from my outdoor endeavors, I also concentrate on writing pursuits. My novel, The Idea of Forever, was published in 2002, and I also authored Yosemite’s Junior Ranger Handbook. Several of my short stories and articles on natural history and weather have been featured in Yosemite, The Harbinger, and other publications. As for my educational background, I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a B.S. in Management (with a concentration in marketing), and a B.A. in Biological Anthropology. In 2005 I earned my M.B.A., with honors, from Regis University in Denver. This year, I earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Accredited Professional credential (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Originally a native of Massachusetts, I currently divide my time between my homes on the north entrance of Yellowstone, and Midpines, California near Yosemite National Park, with my partner Shad and our three dogs, two cats, and four fish (along with the bears, mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats that frequent our property).