Why have you chosen to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors?
Having served on the State Board previously, I have an appreciation for the magnitude of positive impact that great leaders can have on CPRS and our profession for years to come. I understand that if elected Vice President, I would be standing on the shoulders of giants and would be honored to carry on the legacy of past and current leaders and the solid foundation they have created to support the most influential P&R association in the country. CPRS is essential to the success of our members and our profession.
In every leadership capacity I have served, I have always strived to leave places even better than I found them. I have chosen to run for Vice President because I am a true believer in the mission of CPRS and am excited about the opportunity to expand upon the positive impact that CPRS has on members and the communities we serve.
With my experience and belief in implementable Strategic Action Plans, I am interested in working with the State Board and CPRS members and staff to strategically align CPRS’s efforts, including the CARD framework and services to members, through a shared vision for the future of parks and recreation in California. Articulating the impact we hope CPRS and our profession will have on communities across the state, will enable our Districts, Sections, State Board and HQ to align efforts and act with intention.
What personal attributes, skills, or knowledge would you bring to the State Board of Directors if elected?
At heart, I am a Parks and Rec kid who uses parks and recreational spaces every day as part of my own quality of life and well-being. Having grown up in local P&R programs, I deeply value the work we do as professionals and take seriously the responsibility we have to advance our profession and ensure that generations to come have opportunities to thrive in these spaces.
As a passionate advocate for parks and recreation, a 25+ year practitioner and longtime active CPRS member, I believe I am prepared to lead CPRS. My leadership experience in various CPRS roles, including the State Board as the Region 2 Rep and the Presidential series at both the District and Section levels, combined with my field experience as an agency Director, has equipped me with the skills necessary to foster collaboration, innovation, and community at all levels of CPRS.
Visionary Leadership: I excel in teams and processes that focus on intentional, results-oriented action. My ability to envision long-term goals and mobilize stakeholders has resulted in the implementation of strategic action plans that have produced desired impacts and transformed teams I have led in CPRS and agencies I have served.
Collaborative Approach: I thrive in team environments and prioritize building strong relationships with diverse viewpoints and experiences. Working closely with CPRS Boards that I have had the honor of leading, I ensured that all voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to our shared goals.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The ever-evolving landscape of parks and recreation requires leaders who can think critically and adapt to change. My experience in managing teams during challenging times and navigating economic ups and downs in CPRS leadership roles, as a non-profit Board Member and as a Department Director, demonstrates my resilience and ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging: I am dedicated to promoting inclusivity and belonging within parks and recreation. By championing initiatives that engage underrepresented communities both within CPRS and communities I serve, I strive to create equitable access to recreational opportunities for all Californians.
Advocacy and Communication: As a strong advocate for our field, I have effectively communicated the importance of parks and recreation to both policymakers and the public. My experience working with electeds at the local, state and federal level will help to ensure that our message resonates widely and fosters support for our profession.
Passion: I stand for joy, equity and full potential for myself and all people. These values ground the energy I put into all aspects of my life. I feel so fortunate to have landed in this profession that allows me to live these values and make other people’s lives better. I owe my career to the knowledge and friendships I have gained through CPRS and am fired up about the prospect of giving back to the organization and this profession that have given me everything.
I am excited to contribute my experience, passion, and vision to help shape a vibrant future for CPRS, our members and our communities. With my leadership qualities, combined with my unwavering commitment to enhancing parks and recreation in California, I humbly ask for your vote for CPRS Vice President.
What is the greatest challenge our profession faces and how will you lead to address that challenge?
In February 2024, at the beginning of my year as President of the Admin Section, we ran a member survey that asked a similar question. The top three responses from CPRS members really came down to two challenges:
Financial Sustainability: With an uncertain economic outlook, equipping our members, CPRS and our profession with the best tools for cost recovery and funding and revenue strategies is key to our survival and success in the short and long term.
Succession Planning: Many agencies, including CPRS itself, have already begun to see the wave of baby boomer retirements. With the closure of many of our university recreation degree programs and ever evolving and more diverse communities, we are facing hiring challenges at both the entry-level and higher leadership-levels. We have to grow from within and ensure our members have what it takes to move up the ladder, while uplifting our students and young professionals to build impactful teams that understand and mirror our communities.
This past year, we intentionally designed many of our educational offerings through the Administrators Section around these challenges. If elected, I will lead the strategic alignment of CPRS’s work to ensure our members, agencies, and CPRS have the tools they need to face these significant challenges. This involves aligning the work of our Districts, Sections and HQ on training, but also on efforts in advocacy and resource development.
Please share relevant leadership experiences outside of your work environment.
I have had the honor and pleasure of serving CPRS, our profession and my community in many different leadership capacities, including:
CPRS
2022 – Present - Administrators Section Presidential Series (Current President)
2020 – 2022 - Administrators Section Region 2 Representative
2019, 2021, 2022 - Awards of Excellence Chair
2018 - Present - District 6 Administrators Section Representative
2016 - 2018 - District 4 Administrators Section Representative
2016 - 2018 - District 6 Secretary/Treasurer
2016-2018 - California Action Plan (CAP) Committee
2013 - Executive Director Search Committee
2010 - 2013 - State Board of Directors Region 2 Representative
2009 - 2010 - Administrators Section Northern Rep
2008 - 2009 - District 6 Past President
2007 - 2008 - District 6 President
2006 - 2007 - District 6 President-Elect
2004 - 2006 - District 6 Vice President
Other
2022 – Present - Black Surf Santa Cruz – Founding Board Member
2022 – Present - Community Bridges – Board Member
2022 – Present - Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds – Board Member
2015 - Lecturer for San Jose State University, Department of Public Health & Recreation
2015 – Leadership Morgan Hill – Class Member
2005 – Present - Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: BEACHComber Volunteer Surveyor