Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Leading Nike's charge for a greener tomorrow, my role as Global Director of Sustainability Engagement Initiates involves crafting a synergy between our planet and people strategy. This strategy not only aligns with our business objectives but also ensures social and community impact. With over a year's experience at Nike, my focus has been on developing programs that drive substantial environmental change. Previously, as Vice President of Programs at the New York League of Conservation Voters, my team and I elevated public engagement through strategic leadership, developing conservation forums and outreach campaigns. These initiatives supported municipalities in their journey towards Climate Smart Communities Certification, reflecting our commitment to policy enhancement for renewable energy and ecological preservation. My expertise lies in translating complex sustainability challenges into actionable frameworks, fostering not only environmental stewardship but also community resilience.
• Lead Nike's enterprise sustainability partnerships strategy, managing high-impact collaborations that drive progress through collective action. • Oversee development of sustainability strategies for major events and activations, including a forthcoming global sporting event partnership - aligning environmental initiatives with innovation, equity and impact.
• Develop public programs, conservation forums, and outreach campaigns aimed at engaging and empowering individual advocacy for the environment • Craft and implement strategic frameworks to guide municipalities in earning Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification for performance and leadership in climate action • Amplify policy for clean water, clean air, renewable energy, and open space through programming communications and events • Educate the public and elected officials about sustainability and environmental decision-making processes at the local, regional, state and federal government levels • Create Citizen’s Toolkit with education and tips regarding the environment • Connect with elected officials, policymakers, businesses, and community groups in non-partisan discussions to drive sustainability and environmental policy agendas and budgetary remedies
• Initiated and built non-profit park conservancy’s programming and partnerships through strengthening constituent base of adult and school-age visitors, community leaders and politicians, corporate partners and media contacts • Ensured all programming delivered on park’s mission of community and economic development with focus on preservation of nature and natural resources in the community; bridged gap between city’s business core and residents, including those in adjoining low income area • Supervised 4 full-time, 19 part-time employees, and 25 interns to direct youth, educational outreach, environmental, outdoor recreation, summer camp, family, community, and corporate volunteer programs as well as event marketing and coordination activities and local youth internship opportunities • Nurtured network of strategic alliances with over 30 area corporations combining fundraising and development with a volunteer program of greater than 1,500 adults (8,000+ hours of service) per year • Worked with Fortune 500 firm to build new section of the park through work by 500 employee volunteers • Developed strategic plan for corporate sustainability education program with major consumer products firm • Crafted, implemented, and led marketing communications, promotions, and social media campaigns to achieve membership sales goals (20% annual increases in 2020 and 2021) and meet donor funding targets ($800K+ annual private and corporate donations) • Oversaw contracts and $2M+ budget for services vendors, concessions and staffing • Represented park at 2018 American Planning Association (APA) “Great Places” Award Ceremony to receive award in the public space category for park’s role in serving diverse communities and boosting the appeal of downtown Stamford as a vibrant residential destination (park attracted 1000+ new housing units, generated $1M in new tax revenue, and served as example of climate change resiliency)
• Served as member of Capital Campaign team and managed capital planning and design consultants • Wrote grants for both physical build of the park and community programming in the park • Delivered year-round community activation by shepherding the funding, design and build-out of permanent park structures including a carousel, an ice rink and a beer garden • Worked with network of city, state and federal representatives to drive $1M in annual public funding • Coordinated regulatory processes across city, state and federal departments for land use, wildlife and zoning • Developed strategies for generating earned income in each activity area bringing a total of $1M profit to operations
• Managed external partnerships, marketing, recruitment, fundraising, and implementation of $600K in grants annually for singer NeYo’s celebrity foundation focused on youth in foster care • Planned and executed a five-city giving tour including overseeing donations, selecting local vendors for participation, scouting event locations, and managing show operational logistics • Partnered with boys and girls clubs to organize summer entrepreneurship camp for high school youth in foster care • Established first grantmaking program for the foundation with specific criteria and application requirements • Coordinated corporate endorsement marketing relationship to garner donations for foundation • Assisted in creation, development, and selection of board of directors
• Led youth environmental education nonprofit serving 1,500 people annually with environmental education, career development internships, and experiential learning programs • Developed, fundraised and managed a $200K+ annual budget • Supervised 2 full-time program staff and 12 contract employees; supported a 15-member board of directors