Now based in San Diego, where I grew up, with forays into the field around the world (…mainly Southeast Asia). Exploring the freelance lifestyle to allow for more quality time with family.

I’m working to build my skill set, experience, and perspectives from diverse field sites, projects, disciplines, and sectors, seeking insights and approaches to inform more thoughtful, practical, and sustained conservation. I also seek to understand and improve how the conservation community communicates and collaborates, so that recommendations resulting from research can better be linked to concrete, effective action. I see this as a quest for what I elegantly call “no bullshit conservation.” I’m particularly excited by the potential for Design Thinking as a framework for transdisciplinary, solutions-driven approaches to conservation.  

Brief Bio

I grew up in Poway, California, and then braved the east coast to learn in the hallowed halls of Princeton University.  I spent the next two years working as a field assistant  in Thailand, Kansas, and Texas (and as a vitamin clerk at Henry’s Market to tide me through low-money times…). Starting in college, I’ve been fortunate enough to study, assist in fieldwork, or conduct my own research in California, Texas, Kansas, Hawaii, Panama, Kenya, Thailand, Peru, Mexico, the Philippines, Madagascar, Indonesia, and Myanmar. I’ve also traveled to numerous other countries for meetings and even just for fun.  Each of these forays has gotten me more and more addicted to fieldwork and travels.  I’ve seen some incredible flora & fauna, met and befriended amazing people, experienced fascinating cultures, and enjoyed many adventures.

These experiences have inspired me to contribute to our understanding of conservation needs and solutions in a way that will help people, animals, and ecosystems in these places that I’ve come to love.  

Interests include playing in the ocean (swimming, surfing, SUP, diving), writing, taking photos, vegetarian food, and traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family (including canines) whenever our paths cross. And feminism. And progressive politics. #FeeltheBern.