Growing up in southern Ohio, some of my earliest memories of the outdoors are family hiking trips through Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Those experiences sparked a lifelong appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation that eventually grew into a passion for long-distance hiking. After graduating from college, I set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, an experience that taught me resilience, the value of community, and just how deeply connected we are to the natural world.
A few years later, my husband and I celebrated our honeymoon by hiking the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way, we fell in love with the Sierra Nevada and the Tahoe Basin. Not long after completing the trail, we packed up and moved to California, where the mountains quickly became home.
My love of long-distance hiking brought me to the world of fundraising when I accepted a position at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. For nine years, I worked closely with donors, members, volunteers, and supporters to preserve and protect access to the outdoors. That experience taught me that fundraising is about connecting passionate people with opportunities to drive change. In the past year, I earned my Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in hopes of using my knowledge to make a greater impact in the world.
That is why I’m thrilled to join The Climate Center as Individual Giving Manager and to bring my experience to an organization leading the charge for bold climate action in California. Climate change is the biggest threat our planet faces. As a mother of two young kids, I am excited to work towards protecting the planet so my kids can have a place to grow, thrive, and explore. I look forward to connecting with our community of supporters and helping more people become a part of this important work.
