Resume

  • Owner, Firebird Ecological Services, Huntingdon Valley, PA
    • Jul 2023-present
    • Conducting scientific analyses and reporting, presenting, and publishing results of ecosystem restoration and conservation biology research
  • Strategic Planner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, PA
    • Apr 2014 – Jun 2017
    • Served as the liaison to the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC): coordinated with all Federal Agencies, developed a consensus for the Federal vote on complex water resource issues, and advised the Federal Commissioner.
    • Initiated and acquired funding for several new innovative ecosystem restoration programs and studies, including a pilot study in the Barnegat Bay to address shoreline and habitat loss from a bay-wide perspective; a regional sediment management study in the Delaware Estuary to identify opportunities for restoration, including stream restoration and dam/impediment removal, and a Sustainable Rivers Program study to identify opportunities for ecological flows at reservoirs.
    • Established new partnerships with state agencies, non-profit organizations, communities, the Institute for Water Resources, and the Engineering Research Development Center that resulted in several new funded studies and collaborations. 
    • Served on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committees for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Barnegat Bay Partnership.
    • As the District’s Environmental Business Line Manager, evaluated and ranked the ecological merit of projects as part of the annual budget submission and worked with other national experts to develop an algorithm to assist with this evaluation.
    • Awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2017 for exceptional performance as Strategic Planner and outstanding dedication to the Philadelphia District.
  • Biologist and Project Manager,U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, PA
    • Dec 2004 – Apr 2014
    • Simultaneously managed several multi-year civil works projects with a focus on aquatic ecosystem restoration.  Led multi-disciplinary teams through planning, design, construction, and monitoring.  Recognized with a Special Act Award in 2007 for outstanding initiative as Project Manager for the Grover’s Mill Pond Restoration Project, a $5 million project that was praised by Governor Corzine and the community.
    • Drafted and negotiated study and project agreements and developed, maintained, and monitored multiple project scopes, schedules, and finances, simultaneously managing $10 million.
    • Served as a regional environmental specialist on project teams and as a national environmental and planning technical specialist performing Agency Technical Reviews.  
      • Awarded the Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service for exceptional support in direct response to Task Force Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 
      • Commended for outstanding contributions to the Environmental Team of the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study in 2013-2014.
    • Recognized multiple times for exceptional science education and environmental outreach efforts with the Special Act Award in 2007, the Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity Award in 2008 and 2010, and the Employment Opportunity Award in 2013.
  • Upper Delaware Intern, The Nature Conservancy, Delaware River Program, Cuddebackville, NY
    • Jun 2004 – Dec 2004
    • Monitored biological communities, including fish, macroinvertebrates, and periphyton, and physical stream parameters in the Upper Delaware River watershed.  Collected, organized, and analyzed river temperature data for a Delaware River Foundation study that examined how reservoir management impacted downstream fish habitat.
    • Developed and implemented a pre- and post-construction monitoring plan for riparian vegetation around the Cuddebackville Dam removal  site.  Awarded the Coastal America Partnership Award in 2005 as part of the Cuddebackville Dam Removal Team.
    • Conceptualized and orchestrated a multi-year pilot study to compare the effectiveness of control methods for invasive Japanese Knotweed and examine impacts on native plant diversity. Presented preliminary results at a conference; currently drafting a scientific publication.
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Research Foundation of New York, Syracuse, NY
  • Education
    • State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
      • Master’s Degree, Conservation Biology, 2002 – 2004
    • Rutgers University
      • Bachelor’s degree, Biology/Biological Sciences, 1997 – 2001
    • Columbia University’s Summer Biodiversity Institute 2000 at the Biosphere II Center in Arizona. 
  • Professional Certification
    • Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)
      • Issued Jun 2023 · Expires Jun 2028, Credential ID 0699
    • PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification, 2001
  • Job Related Training
    • G.R.O.W. (Gaining and Retaining Outstanding Women) group mentoring experience facilitated by the Center for Women in Business (CWIB) at Rutgers Business School, mentee, Fall 2025.
    • MARSH (Mentorship Assisted Resource & Support Hub sponsored by Society of Wetland Scientists and the National Association of Wetland Managers) mentee, 2023
    • Civil Works Programming Process (PROSPECT course 358), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014
    • Hydrologic Analysis for Ecosystem Restoration (PROSPECT course 161), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014
    • Organized and hosted a multi-agency stream restoration training with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), 2013
    • Planning Principles and Procedures (PROSPECT course 77), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2013
    • Strategic Relationship Management (PROSPECT course 224), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012
    • Environmental Laws and Regulations (PROSPECT course 170), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2011
    • Plan Formulation and Evaluation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2011
    • Leadership Development Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2008–2011
    • Emerging Leaders Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2010; Elected and served as National Atlantic Division Team Leader 2011
    • Risk Communication Training, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2008
    • Project Management Institute 5 Day PMP Certification Program, 2007
    • Ecosystem Planning & Management Issues (PROSPECT course 264), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2006
    • Applied Fluvial Geomorphology, Wildland Hydrology, 2006
    • Ecological & Geomorphic Principles of Stream Restoration, University of Maryland & Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 2005
    • Primavera Project Planner Planning and Scheduling with P3 (601), 2005
    • Primavera Project Planner Resource and Cost Analysis (602), 2005
    • Primavera Project Planner Managing Project Data (603), 2005
    • Civil Works Orientation & Project Development Process, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2005
    • Marine Mammal Handling and Stranding Response Course, Mote Marine Laboratory, 2001