Executive Director
International Wildlife Media Center & Film Festival
Professional Experience
2001 - 2013
International Wildlife Media Center & Film FestivalExecutive Director (Missoula, Montana)
- Chief Executive Officer of the International Wildlife Media Center; oversees and coordinates the premier wildlife film festival, the annual International Wildlife Film Festival and the Montana CINE International Film Festival
- Directs all development and fundraising including grant writing and major donor cultivation and events
- Oversees and supervises staff for Post Festival Tours, Montana Film Academy, educational outreach and media/communications
- Provides media programs and curriculum to organizations and agencies, local community groups and schools worldwide
1998 - 2001
Natural Resources Consulting, Founder/Consultant(Missoula, Montana)
- Independent consulting for conservation & not for profit organizations
- Specialization in development; board relations; growth management
1998 – 2000
Camp Fire Boys & Girls, Executive Director (Missoula, Montana)
- Chief Executive Officer responsible for all fundraising & management
- Expanded Child Care program; developed Environmental Ed. Program
- Rebuilt relationship between local council & national organization
- Supervised/fundraised for renovations of Camp Watanopa & Planning
Wilderness Watch, Executive Director (Missoula, Montana)
- Managed growth and development of national wilderness group
- Supervised all development (fundraising); grants and grant writing, donor outreach
- Supervised staff, interns, volunteers and field monitoring teams
Wildlife Conservation Society, Head of Conservation Communications (New York, NY)
- Oversight of all communications, public relations and media outreach for the international programs of this international conservation organization
- Developed conservation stories, produced films about programs, and supervised all media relationships with conservation and field staff; key staff person for national/international media, story placement and story development
- Developed strategic and fundraising plans in collaboration with other departments
Broadcast Journalist, Television Correspondent & Producer (New York/Miami)
- Investigative news reporter, specializing in wildlife, environment and policy issues for network and local television news and news magazines.
Key Achievements
International Wildlife Media Center & Film Festival
Eliminated large deficit; achieved balanced budget within one year. Expanded from annual film festival to year round international programs: Directed capital campaign to raise $400K+; coordinated purchase of historic theater (Roxy) to serve as permanent headquarters. Launched new annual film festival (Montana CINE) and conceived/developed Tarkio Retreat, global initiative of the International Wildlife Film Festival: Forging New Partnerships in Media & Conservation
Natural Resources Consulting, Inc.
As a result of our efforts, Blackfoot Challenge (Blackfoot Valley, Montana) was named one of 12 leading watershed organizations in the U.S. by CWAP; received $25,000 grant to support grassroots efforts.
Wilderness Watch, Inc.
In three years, tripled membership; doubled annual budget income stream. Media coverage included NY Times, Utne Reader, National Geographic. Planned and supervised 1st annual Wilderness Conference in Missoula. Developed first wilderness education program.
Wildlife Conservation Society
Developed new media initiatives to support field conservation projects and built close relationships with BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Public Broadcasting and others.
Initiated media project with Discovery Channel to raise $100,000 for the WCS field program in Manu, Peru.
Placed lead stories in major publications and broadcast networks including, NY Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Charlie Rose Show/PBS, ABC and CBS Television.
Network Television: Emmy nominations and awards
Education
High School - Bronx High School of Science - New York
College - New York University; BA/Major - Journalism; Political Science
Graduate Work Toward MS Degree - Fordham University - Zoology
Advanced Studies - New School for Social Research, Focus: Media
Extracurricular activities and interests
Equine Activities; Horse Rescue/Adoption
Former Board Member-Missoula County 4H
Leadership in horse and dog projects
Former board member, Rotary Club International
Former member, Steering Committee – Wilderness Conference, UM
Photography; Freelance Writing
International Travel – Europe, Caribbean, Central & South America
Languages
Spanish & Beginning Italian
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