Description

Qualifications

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)—Successful fundraising professional with nearly 15 years of experience in foundation, corporate and individual donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, raising more than $6 Million for nonprofit organizations in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Science Journalist – graduate of globally recognized graduate program in science communication with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing and educational communication.
Artisan Food Business Owner – actively involved in local, sustainable food movement; built, managed and owned a successful organic artisan bakery with my husband https://www.sunstonebakery.com/.
Highly self-motivated with proven ability to coordinate complex projects with multiple variables successfully, meet deadlines and build successful collaborative partnerships. Enjoy working with and building a knowledgeable, diverse and excellent team.
Professional Experience

Director of Development

Lomakatsi Restoration Project, June 2015 to present  Ashland, Oregon

Founded in 1995, Lomakatsi is creating a new economic paradigm for forest-based communities, using restoration and workforce training to create an economy based on healing ecosystems and communities. As part of the core leadership team for Lomakatsi, I am responsible for increasing non-federal funding for the organization via foundation and individual support. Established and grew donor program from the ground up, created donor-friendly marketing materials, increased public awareness and re-ignited grassroots support for the organization. Successfully raised over $500,000 in foundation grants within the first 18 months and raised $25,000 annually via the newly established membership program. Annual budget $5 Million; fundraising goal $300,000 nonfederal, with a goal to reach $650,000 in non-federal funding by 2020.

Director of Development                                                             Ashland, Oregon

ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum, November 2011 – June 2015

Responsible for raising annual operating funds through individual and foundation gifts, fundraising events, government grants and annual giving programs. Successfully managed a capital campaign to raise $1.5 Million in three years. Annual budget increased from $650,000 in 2011 to $1.1 Million in 2015. Supervised both the museum volunteer and membership departments. Annual budget $1.1 Million; fundraising goal $600,000 for annual operations & $1.5 million Cap Campaign, successfully completed in 2014, raising $1.7 Million on time and within budget.

Development Director                                                                  Marin County, California

Regenerative Design Institute, 2009 – 2011

Responsible for all aspects of the organization’s fundraising efforts, including writing and managing government and foundation grants and developing partnerships with other organizations and agencies to help expand the reach of the organization. Worked closely with two Co-directors and founders of the organization as part of core management team.  Annual fundraising goal: $300,000

Development Director                                                                  Marin County, California

Marin Organic, 2005-2008

Responsible for the strategic development and oversight of the organization’s annual fundraising efforts, successfully helping to grow the organization’s annual budget of $250,000 to more than $600,000 in three years. Doubled foundation and government funding in addition to developing a strong individual and business donor base. Managed annual giving program, membership development, fundraising through special events and an annual auction. Annual fundraising: $610,000

 

Education, Communication and Development Coordinator

Ventana Wildlife Society, 2002-2004                                              Carmel, California

Responsible for fundraising, membership development, special events, and public relations coordination for environmental non-profit dedicated to re-introducing the California Condor to Northern California. In addition, coordinated the organization’s education programs targeting 8-18 year olds, supervised a staff of six instructors and developed partnerships with organizations in order to better reach underserved youth in Salinas, CA. Other responsibilities included developing an extensive exhibit on the California Condor.  Annual fundraising goal: $750,000

 

Public Relations Coordinator

Sea Studios Productions, 2002                                                          Monterey, California

Six-month contract position to coordinate publicity for the eight-part PBS/National Geographic special The Shape of Life. Responsibilities included overseeing promotional media tour, organizing and managing series celebrations and major events, and coordinating promotional efforts of National Geographic, PBS, Sea Studios and a consortium of eleven aquariums across the United States.

Broadcast Media Coordinator

Stanford Medical Center News Bureau, 2001-2002                         Palo Alto, California

Coordinated broadcast media coverage of the medical center and its researchers, wrote press releases highlighting latest research findings, produced stories for Stanford Magazine, Campus Report and other publications.

Content Director 

Biology Distance Learning Project, Archipelago Productions/Harcourt Brace Publications, 1998-2000                  Monterey, California

Responsible for helping to develop, write and manage the presentation of course content for distance learning, web-based multimedia university-level biology courses. Edited narration scripts and multimedia text, developed web lessons and monitored video and audio recording sessions. Position required working closely with a team of science illustrators and designers, writers, professors, video and audio producers, animators, web designers and computer programmers to create interactive lessons using a variety of multimedia tools.

Professional Training

• Major Gifts Coaching, Gail Perry and Associates 2017
• Fundamentals of Mediation, Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice 2017
• Organic Crop Inspector, Independent Organic Inspectors Association Training, October, 2008.
• The Principles and Techniques of Fundraising, The Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University, 2007.
• Leadership Training, Regenerative Design Institute Ecology of Leadership 2007
• Environmental Education and Permaculture Design – Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness,
• Regenerative Design Institute and Eight Shields Cultural Mentoring, 2006
• Ecological Horticulture, Certificate of Study, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, Apprenticeship Program, University of California at Santa Cruz, 2005
• Postgraduate studies in Natural History Filmmaking, University of Otago and Natural History New Zealand, 2000-2001

Formal Education

Science Journalism, Certificate of Graduate Studies, UC Santa Cruz, 1994

B.A. Biology, UC Santa Cruz, 1989. Marine Biology and Environmental Education focus.