Personal Mission: Bridging Worlds with Powerful Communication to Inspire Sustainability and Resilience

My goals are fairly simple: to get a deeper understanding of climate change and environmental studies on a master’s level, and what is required to build and lead sustainable communities and institutions. To explore new and completely unique ideas in environmental preservation, sustainability, and urban resilience. To relearn and rewire our current industries and societal systems to point to a more socially equitable society. And to build a vast, intimate network of connection with those looking to be builders, stewards, and guardians of their current and future environments.

Professionally, I’ve always envisioned a world where I was able to forge relationships and help others find connections that led to a more effective and productive company, institution, or community. Creating coalitions and linking one group of people with another has always been a virtue of mine- something I imagined could be very valuable in moments of crisis, situations of high intensity, and within contexts of great importance.

When we think about environmentalism or environmental work, the focus historically lies heavily on the sciences, which is great, a deep, foundational understanding of what’s happening to our planet is absolutely essential to combat the effects of climate change. But who is best to communicate those understandings? I am convinced beyond any doubt in my mind that the key to building a more sustainable and just society is forging bridges and placing community building at the core of our planning and preparation for the future.

I felt this strength of mine was on display when working as a sustainability consultant for CAP Management, where I helped bridge diverse stakeholders to advance sustainable practices in HOAs across Denver. This involved facilitating connections with vendors and organizations, including BlocPower, Recycle Colorado, and Scraps Kitchen, to implement energy efficiency upgrades, waste management solutions, and decarbonization strategies. I also felt this sense of passion while helping Treeline Music Festival in Columbia, MO, establish sustainability practices, including waste management protocols and public park preservation. At Emu Passive, I further refined my ability to connect and collaborate by supporting high-performance building practices through Passive House training programs. This included identifying and engaging builders, architects, and tradespeople to expand the adoption of sustainable construction practices, leveraging grants and subsidies to reduce barriers to entry. These experiences reinforced my commitment to communication and collaboration as tools to drive impactful change in the built environment and beyond.

Communication and relationship building has seemed to be at the core of how I’ve felt most serviceable in my professional career. I believe I bring a skillset to leadership that can move forward any organization, institution or business. Unlike many others, I can provide unique insights into communications, public relations, and journalism. I envision working with impactful organizations to drive dedicated service to the environment and to local communities throughout the country. I imagine a world where I can bridge the sciences with lived experiences, making day-to-day life more enjoyable for local communities and creating a connection to outdoor amenities that would be leveraged to grow local, sustainable economies at scale. It took years of exploration, traveling through four continents, and loads of professional experience to feel as if I’ve finally found clarity in my purpose—I would be dedicated to partnering with transformative institutions without distraction.