About Me

 

My path to environmental governance began long before graduate school or international negotiations. As an undergraduate studying marine biology, I spent time tagging sea turtles in Hawaiʻi, working with wildlife, and exploring the connections between people and the natural world. Those experiences sparked a lifelong interest in understanding not only environmental challenges, but also the human stories behind them.

 

Over the years, I have worked as an educator, mentor, researcher, and practitioner in settings ranging from public schools and community organizations to universities and international environmental forums. These experiences have reinforced a simple belief: meaningful environmental change depends on people. Communities, educators, scientists, advocates, policymakers, and everyday citizens all play a role in shaping more sustainable futures.

 

 

 Today, my research focuses on environmental governance, sustainability, human security, and the role of narrative in environmental decision-making.Through teaching, research, and public engagement, I explore how ideas gain influence, how institutions evolve, and how individuals and communities create change.

 

I am particularly interested in highlighting pathways forward. While environmental challenges are real and urgent, I believe there is equal value in understanding the people, collaborations, and innovations working toward solutions.

 

When I'm not teaching or researching, you'll often find me outdoors, working on new storytelling projects, spending time with my family, and caring for the many animals that have found their way into our lives. I am an enthusiastic follower of women's sports, especially the WNBA, and a fiercely competitive arcade basketball player, usually challenging my children to a game or two. 

 

Together, they reflect a lifelong interest in how people respond to challenges, build resilience, and discover new possibilities when the path forward is uncertain.