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Summary

Passionate research professional interested in using diverse information and data to help people address complex issues.

Professional Experience

Research Director, BlueGreen Alliance Foundation Jan. 2019 - Present, Minneapolis MN
Senior Research Analyst, BlueGreen Alliance Foundation May 2017 - Dec. 2018
Research Analyst, BlueGreen Alliance Foundation Sept. 2012 - April 2017
Market Research Associate, BlueGreen Alliance Foundation Dec. 2010 - Sept. 2012

The BlueGreen Alliance unites America’s largest labor unions and its most influential environmental organizations to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a stronger, fairer economy.

Research Associate, Great Plains Institute Feb. 2010 – Nov. 2010, Minneapolis MN

Created support materials for models used by GPI to help users understand impacts of energy and transportation policies. Created a wiki site providing documentation for GPI’s Energy Choice Simulator and presented on simulation results at REAMP Annual Meeting, Chicago IL, 8/3/10; prototyped a simplified user interface for the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model using Forio Simulate.

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs July 2009 – May 2010, Minneapolis MN

Conducted a research project focused on the technical, social, political, and economic factors of deployment of nano zero valent iron (nZVI) technology for water pollution remediation. Work included contributing to development of a system dynamics map of the system of this emerging technology.

Program Coordinator, Digital Divide Initiative Feb. 2008 – July 2009, Minneapolis MN

Developed curriculum and workshop materials to teach young people science and technology, more broadly supported efforts to bridge the digital divide in North Minneapolis.

Program Specialist, Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys May 2007 – March 2008, Saint Paul MN

Managed and implemented council programs for girls on topics including the Gold Award (the highest award in girl scouting), social entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and robotics day camp.

National Community Service through AmeriCorps Sept. 2003 – Sept. 2006, Sacramento CA and Saint Paul MN

Completed three years of community service through the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP), and a Vista Leadership position with the Community Technology Center (CTC) VISTA program. CTEP work focused on empowering young people and adults with technology skills; the VISTA Leader program included training in corps development to support AmeriCorps members in their service.

Community

Committee Member, National Academy of Sciences Committee on Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions Mar. 2020 - Present

Work with other committee members to examine the status of technologies, policies, and societal factors needed for decarbonization and recommend research and policy needs. Produce two reports detailing findings.

Board Member, Humphrey School of Public Affairs Alumni Board Sept. 2014 – Aug. 2020

Planned events and activities for current students and alumni, including student career trip 2015 and 2016, Show Up for the Common Good, and served on committees to create an alumni survey and create a pilot Alumni in Residence program.

Alumna Mentor- Humphrey School of Public Affairs Sept. 2012 - May 2016

Worked with current Humphrey students as a mentor by attending mentor and student events, meeting individually with students, and providing resources and connections.

Member, Data Analysts for Social Good Feb. 2016 - Feb. 2018

Global community of social sector data professionals

PyLadies Twin Cities Sept. 2014 - May 2015

Planned and hosted meetups and events for the local chapter of an international group of women who program in the Python language. Provide resources to help PyLadies learn, teach, and contribute to the tech community. Represented PyLadies on the organizing committee for Data^3, collaborative data event with PyMNtos and the R user group. Planned and led an Installfest for attendees to prepare for the event. Represented PyLadies TC at PyCon in April 2015.

Open Twin Cities Feb. 2014 – Feb. 2016

Attended meetups and events intended to help people collaboratively use and create technology for social good; focused on recruiting non-technical people and helping them find ways to contribute. Co-organized ClimateHack to bring together environmentalists, activists, and programmers (Sept 2015). Co-organized CycleHack Twin Cities to make cycling more sustainable (June 2015). Presented CycleHack at the Winter Cycling Congress in Feb. 2016.

Education

Master of Science in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis MN, May 2010

Research Assistant position and graduate thesis analyzing regulation and governance of an emerging nanotechnology used to remediate water pollution. Used system dynamics modeling and rhetorical analysis to map how perspectives of issues differed across disciplines. Coursework in policy analysis, scientific communication and data display, energy and environmental policy, science and technology policy.

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Environmental Studies with an emphasis in natural sciences from Northland College Ashland WI, May 2003

Northland College Student Association (NCSA) Student Senator, 2002-2003; Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Northland College Chapter Vice President, 2001-2003

Publications

Events Organized

Speaking Engagements

Events Attended