Education

Prescott College, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, EGD 2027

  • 4.0 GPA 

  • Hokami introduction training 2-day workshop

  • Somatic specialization track

  • EAGALA course planned for winter of 2026


The Evergreen State College, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 2006 

  • Minor in Photography


Current Certifications

  • Wilderness First Responder

  • Ephinephrine Auto-injector

  • Adult, Child, Infant CPR/ACT & Airway Mgmt

  • Mental Health First Aid


Internships / Volunteering

Crisis Volunteer, Lines for Life, Portland, OR (2024-Current)

  • Completed 60+ hours of intensive training in suicide prevention protocols, Lines for Life is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.

  • Skilled call center volunteer applying numerous harm reduction techniques.


Phone Intake Volunteer, Jane’s Due Process, Austin, TX (2016-2018)

  • Assisted minors in accessing 48-hour emancipations for abortion services and legal support.

  • Applied deep listening skills and trained techniques to support pregnant minors to answer intake questions that helped ensure their autonomy in the legal process.


Counseling Volunteer, KOLO Cross-Cultural Collaboration, Olympia, WA (2003-2012)

  • Worked in Bosnia with survivors of the Balkan war to create inter-community support spaces. 

  • Co-facilitated daily therapy groups to empower individuals by giving them agency in their healing.

  • Assisted in somatic and bio-culinary therapy workshop development.

  • Met with human rights advocates in Bosnia and India to discuss long-term humanitarian goals for UNICEF/Movimondo NGO work using the KOLO model.


Conservation Educator and Animal Keeper, Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR (2006-2009)

  • Postgraduate work studying animal behavior / operant conditioning to better support the physical and mental health of primates, marine mammals, and birds of prey in captive environments. 

  • Built and documented enrichment materials to mitigate stereotypic behaviors in the captive polar bears and sun bears.

Needle Exchange Volunteer, Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center, NYC (1998-1999)

  • Worked the needle exchange daily, safely disposed of, and supplied sterile needles.

  • Taught IV drug users harm reduction techniques to mitigate injection site injury. 

  • Assisted with workshops around health and hygiene while living unhoused.


Professional / Career

Creative Director, Freelance Contracts, Portland, OR (2001-Current)

  • Created content for The Atlantic, Nike, and National Geographic Channel.

  • Worked with agencies including BBDO, Ogilvy, and Publicis Group.

  • Negotiated contracts, managed production analysis, and ensured budget accuracy.

  • Scouted talent and built teams for location-based shoots across the United States.

  • Co-produced Subaru’s Make a Dog’s Day campaign (2021/2022).

  • Led wildlife photography safaris in Tanzania, Botswana, and the U.S. (2017-2019).

  • Nikon Ambassador presenter at CES Las Vegas, Photokina Germany, and PhotoPlus NYC.


Executive Creative Director, Designs for Health, Palm Coast, FL (2019-2023)

  • Led a centralized in-house creative marketing department supporting six brands with a yearly revenue of over $250 million.

  • Managed a team of 11 mid-to-senior direct reports, focusing on hard and soft skills.

  • Initiated team-building programs and retreats, fostering engagement and boosting productivity.

  • Collaborated with diverse personalities cross-functionally to launch new campaigns and products.


Author/Photographer, HarperCollins Publishers/Chronicle Books, NYC (2013-2018)

  • Two-time New York Times Best Seller for photography books, Shake and Shake Puppies.

  • Released eight books between 2013-2018, including 5 children's books focused on early learning.

Teaching / Workshops

  • AWAI Photo Safari Instructor - Botswana and Tanzania 2017-2018

  • Oregon Zoo Conservation Education - Classroom and onsite programming 2006-2008

  • Teaching Assistant - The Evergreen State College, 2003-2004, Photography Department

  • Outdoors Workshop Educator - Backpacking/Bikepacking Consultant 2017-2024

  • Sponsored Lecturer - Nikon Cameras, Wacom Tablets, and Peak Design 2014-2018