I work at the intersection of civic culture, relationships, and human development.

For more than fifteen years, I’ve been facilitating conversations in classrooms, wilderness settings, boardrooms, and community spaces. My work blends thoughtful analysis with grounded facilitation — creating environments where vulnerability, clarity, accountability, and even laughter can coexist.

I am particularly interested in what helps individuals and communities stay with complexity: how we navigate conflict, how we build trust, and how we grow up together rather than apart.

My Background

My professional life began in 2009 at UW–Madison with Adventure Learning Programs, where I focused on group facilitation and leadership development. I continued that work through Madison School & Community Recreation, deepening my commitment to youth development and community engagement.

From 2012 to 2023, I worked at Voyageur Outward Bound School — seven years as a year-round wilderness instructor and five years as Staffing Director. During that time, I coached instructors, built inclusive teams, and supported thousands of students in transformative learning experiences.

In 2017, I received the Mark Weber Service Above Self Award. In 2022, I was honored with the inaugural Marina Ewald Award from Outward Bound USA, recognizing innovation and inclusion in enhancing the student experience.

Today, alongside my writing and speaking, I run The Meadows — an art gallery and studio space in Ely, Minnesota — and continue to engage in civic leadership in my community.

Across all of my work, the through-line remains the same: helping people think more clearly, relate more skillfully, and build communities that can hold complexity.