About me
I grew up playing in a concrete-lined creek and hearing cardinals call across a muddy backyard. These humble urban streams, in combination with the big landscapes I encountered out west, pointed me toward an environmental career. My roles have included wildlife biologist, water resources planner, communications specialist, and grant manager. Throughout these roles, I have helped institutions gather and communicate data and recommendations with the public, decision makers, and funders in ways that yield results.
Today, I do regional and remote work from Raleigh, NC. My experience includes researching and writing state-vetted watershed action plans, public education materials, guides for citizen scientists, and countless technical and public-facing reports, briefs, and presentations. I have helped groups of water resource managers with differing interests and needs to balance their environmental goals with financial realities.
I help organizations communicate strategically, facilitate meetings and group decision making processes, and advise leaders and managers on strategy and funding options. Learn more about my offerings here.
You want me around because I make people feel comfortable and empower them to succeed. When I advise clients and facilitate group decision-making processes, I listen deeply to peoples’ needs. I love to connect folks with ideas, resources and other people to help them meet their goals.
Curiosity, creativity, and community motivate me. I’m good at figuring out who to call and what to ask when I’m not an expert on a topic. This helps me research and write reports that tell a story and speak with authority, with the citations to back it up. I have witnessed (and experienced firsthand) the challenges that leaders face when trying to achieve their environmental goals under policy and resource limitations. This experience helps me advise clients and facilitate groups with calm, compassionate skill.
Maybe you could use my help?
“I worked with Maya on a small team where we both wore many hats. I was impressed both with Maya’s vision and her ability to see ideas through from the brainstorming phase to completion.”