PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Director, Food & Water Watch. Remote (2021 to Present).

Leading a team of four research staff, and hiring and training new researchers as needed
Managing research staffs’ projects and serving as point of contact between departments
Proposing, researching, and drafting reports and fact sheets in support of advocacy campaigns
Mapping environmental justice disparities using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
Compiling and analyzing large data sets in Microsoft Excel
Fact-checking and copyediting reports and issue briefs, including Spanish language materials
Speaking to the media on a range of Food & Water Watch issues

Senior Food Researcher & Policy Analyst, Food & Water Watch. Washington, DC (2016 to 2021).

Serving as organizational policy expert on a wide-range of agricultural issues, including corporate consolidation, factory farms, and food labels
Proposing, researching, and drafting reports and issue briefs in support of food campaign work
Compiling and analyzing large data sets in Microsoft Excel
Fact-checking and copyediting reports and issue briefs, including Spanish language materials
Translating technical information into web pieces for general audiences
Working with Congressional staff to develop and introduce federal legislation
Speaking to the media on current events and research
Drafting public comments for agency rulemaking, and delivering oral testimony at agency and legislative hearings

Policy Analyst, Citizen Health & Safety, Center for Effective Government. Washington, DC (2014 to 2016).

Taking the lead on major reports including “Living in the Shadow of Danger” (2016), which demonstrated that people of color and poor populations are disproportionately impacted by chemical hazards
Gathering, organizing, and interpreting large data sets
Crafting blog posts that engage the public on current environmental and public health issues
Helping to coordinate the Right-to-Know Network (www.rtknet.org), an online community providing public access to environmental data
Coordinating the intern hiring process and managing interns

Senior Education Fellow, Population Connection. Washington, DC (2013-2014).

Compiled historical population data and displayed them geographically using GIS software, for the “World Population History” video simulation and interactive map (http://worldpopulationhistory.org/)
Wrote and edited fact sheets on global population growth
Led professional development workshops that train educators to use Population Education materials
Coordinated the marketing campaign for the “World of 7 Billion” student video contest

Environmental Policy Intern, Center for Effective Government. Washington, DC (2013).

Conducted fast-paced research on environmental policy issues including toxic chemicals, fracking, and consumer safety
Undertook a quantitative research project examining the decline in facilities reporting to the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Researched and wrote blogs about the effectiveness of e-government tools and databases

Eco-Justice Intern, National Council of Churches. Washington, DC (2012).

Tracked the 2012 Farm Bill and delivered policy briefs to Eco-Justice working groups
Helped organize meetings on Capitol Hill and participated in lobbying
Organized and moderated a webinar on food pantry gardens
Conducted interviews with garden coordinators to create a resource on food pantry gardens

Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Bismarck, ND (2008-2011).

Planned and led student activities, including social gatherings, out-of-state trips, and service-learning projects
Coordinated fundraising efforts to support youth activities
Used social media to promote youth activities
Applied for and received a grant through North Dakota State University Extension Service’s Youth Garden Project to plant an organic charity garden. Assisted youth in planting and care taking of the garden, and at harvest, coordinated distribution of produce to local food pantries

Youth Worker, St. Mary’s Centre. London, UK (2007-2008).

Mentored youth ages 3 to 21 from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds
Directed a variety of youth activities through the center’s “Social Inclusion” program
Completed Lucca Leadership’s Leadership Foundations Programme in Lucca, Italy in June 2008

Leadership Staff/Counselor, Camp of the Cross Ministries. Garrison, ND (2004-2007).

Mentored youth and helped run camp activities
Summer 2005: Promoted to Waterfront Director
Summer 2006: Promoted to On-Site Coordinator. Managed camp store and craft shack, and led junior high “In-Tents” camping program
Summer 2007: Promoted to Program Coordinator. Head of leadership staff. Planned and led staff training, and supervised staff of 30 counselors

EDUCATION

MA in Global Environmental Policy. American University (2011-2013).

Cumulative GPA 3.97
Senior Copyeditor for the Journal of International Service
Awarded a Graduate Research Grant to travel to Oaxaca, Mexico in Spring 2013
Completed capstone project using qualitative research on urban gardens in Washington, DC and Oaxaca, Mexico

BA in English and in Philosophy & Religion; Minor in Spanish. University of North Dakota (2003-2007).

Cumulative GPA 3.985
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Graduated through the Honors Program
Inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Completed undergraduate thesis through the Honors and Philosophy & Religion departments