Awards

Awards and Honors

I am incredibly grateful for the recognition and honors I’ve received throughout my journey. Each award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of not only myself but also the incredible teams and communities I’ve had the privilege to work with. These achievements reflect our shared commitment to making the world a more inclusive, equitable place, and I am humbled by the continued support and trust that fuels our mission. None of this would be possible without the guidance of mentors, the strength of partnerships, and the collective efforts of those who believe in creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

2024 Blue Spruce Award from the Jefferson County Open Space Conservation Awards

In 2024, the organization I co-founded, Inclusive Journeys, was deeply honored to receive the prestigious Blue Spruce Award from the Jefferson County Open Space Conservation Awards. This recognition means the world to us, as it validates the heart and dedication we’ve poured into creating safe, inclusive spaces, not only in nature but in all aspects of life. It underscores our mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can feel welcomed and celebrated in the spaces they visit, and we’re profoundly grateful for the support that made this possible.

2023 Creator of the Year - Outdoor Media Summit

In 2023, I was honored to receive the Creator of the Year award from the Outdoor Media Summit for my work with KWEEN WERK. The award was selected by the summit’s staff and steering committee after reviewing hundreds of nominations and works created in 2022. Being recognized by such a prestigious gathering of media and marketing professionals in the outdoor industry is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful for this recognition of my work.

2023 Outstanding Alumni Award - University of Wisconsin / College of Natural Resources.

In 2023, I received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's College of Natural Resources. My Master of Science in Natural Resources from Stevens Point advanced my career, and emphasized the importance of diverse voices in addressing the climate crisis. Receiving this award was a deeply meaningful experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work. I am grateful to the mentors who kept me on the path, my family who supported me, and the value of my time at Stevens Point.

2023 Asante Award - Black Pride Colorado

In 2023, I was deeply honored to receive the Asante Award at the Black Pride Colorado Strange Fruit of Black Excellence Gala. This incredible event celebrates outstanding individuals within the LGBTQ+ community who have championed diversity and empowerment. As a queer person, receiving this recognition meant so much to me. The gala serves as a powerful reminder that Pride began as, and continues to be, an act of resistance, and I'm grateful to have my contributions acknowledged in such a meaningful way.

2022 Rosa Parks and Grace Lee Boggs Outstanding Service Award - NAAEE

In 2022, I was unbelievably humbled to be presented with the Rosa Parks and Grace Lee Boggs Outstanding Service Award through the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). I was absolutely floored when I learned that the recipient of this award had to be approved by the estates of Rosa Parks and Grace Lee Boggs, two individuals whose legacies of leadership, justice, and empowerment have shaped history. This recognition means so much to me, as it reflects my commitment to environmental education and justice, and my work to uplift underrepresented communities through hands-on experiences, advocacy, and collaboration. I am deeply grateful to be recognized alongside the values and contributions of these two extraordinary figures.

2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award from the Denver Business Journal

In 2023, the organization I co-founded, Inclusive Guide, was honored with the Denver Business Journal’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award. This recognition celebrates our ongoing efforts to promote equality across all areas of diversity, including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. Being selected by a panel of DEI experts highlights the impact we’ve made in our community, and we are deeply grateful for this acknowledgment of our work to foster inclusivity.

2022 Award for Excellence in Environmental Education - CAEE

In 2022, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be selected for the President's Award for Excellence in Environmental Education from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE). This award holds deep meaning for me, as CAEE works to ensure everyone in Colorado has the opportunity to learn about and connect with the environment. As I accepted this honor, I dedicated it to all the environmental educators in my life who didn’t have that title—my mother and father, who taught me to lay on the grass and pick up cans; my grandmother, who instilled the value of reusing things and keeping them out of landfills; my uncle Dennis, who showed me the nobility of riding a bike; and all my ancestors, whose deep connection to nature flows through my veins. I thank them for the bond I share with the natural world, and I thank CAEE for this incredible recognition.

2020 National Association for Interpretation President's Award

In 2020 I was honored to be the recipient of the National Association for Interpretation President's Award. Through its professional awards program, NAI recognizes outstanding achievements and showcases the successes of NAI members and others working to advance the profession of natural resource and heritage interpretation. The President’s Award is bestowed by the NAI President to acknowledge an NAI member whose work shows service, leadership, and extraordinary initiative.

2020 Elevate Conservation: Outdoors for All Honoree

The organization that I co-funded Inclusive Journeys was honored by 30 Colorado and national conservation organizations, outdoor industry companies, and diverse community leaders. The honorees were organizations working at intersection of outdoor recreation and conservation.

 2020 Inspiring Brilliance Awards - Colorado Nonprofit Association

In 2020 I had the honor of receiving the EMERGING LEADER AWARD from the Boettcher Foundation through the Colorado Nonprofit Association.

2016 UL Innovative Education Award – North American Association for Environmental Education

Developed in collaboration with the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the UL Innovative Education Award is given to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that serve to motivate K-12 students about science and research through E-STEM programming and education about the environment.

2014 Toyota TogetherGreen Fellow – National Audubon Society and Toyota

In 2014 I received the TogetherGreen fellowship award. The Toyota TogetherGreen program was a conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society and Toyota, that awards innovative and diverse conservation projects nationwide. I received the awards for implementing education and conservation projects that increased student awareness about their place in the local watershed.