I want government to have the tools, expertise, and capacity to effectively serve constituents and advance social equity. I see technology as central to that work, by supporting capable, responsive public institutions that can realize democracy and earn public trust. Professionally, I’m interested in building lasting technical capacity in government and developing digital government services that improve as technology and society evolve. These commitments grew out of my work on water stewardship, aquatic ecology, and climate adaptation in California. Though my work has broadened beyond water, I remain fascinated by how people relate to water and water relates to people, and how many of society’s ills, imaginaries, and opportunities can be observed in water management.
To advance these goals, I work for the California Office of Data and Innovation as a Data Governance Strategist, where I help state agencies build the practices, tools, and expertise to manage data as a public resource and use it to improve how government works. I also work on AI governance, helping shape how government uses AI in ways that protect people’s rights, make consequential decisions transparent, and preserve public accountability for the exercise of state power. This website captures the academic and personal side of my work and isn’t a representation of the views of my employer.
I previously worked for the California Department of Water Resources as a Senior Environmental Scientist. I focused on projects related to open science, data governance, research software engineering, instream flow management, and aquatic ecology research.
I completed a PhD in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California Berkeley. I was based in the Freshwater Labs, an interdisciplinary group that focuses on freshwater science and management, particularly in cooperative extension. My faculty mentor was Dr. Ted Grantham. My research focused on representing environmental networks for management decisions and providing datasets and computational tools to streamline management and policy.
During my PhD program, I held a research position at the Geospatial Innovation Facility, where I worked to make the latest California climate science relevant and usable through tools like Cal-Adapt and the California Adaptation Clearinghouse.
Prior to starting my PhD at Berkeley, I worked on municipal drinking water efficiency projects across the country. I also supported the implementation of recent California laws and executive orders promoting urban water use efficiency by advising state and municipal water management agencies.
Here is my resume (which I need to update!).
Education
PhD, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management / University of California Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts, Geology / Macalester College 2014
Semester in the Rocky Mountains / National Outdoor Leadership School 2013
Personal
I’m a part-time running coach! Interested in working with me? Head over to the coaching page to learn more.
I enjoy long-distance running and compete in road and trail races ranging from 5k to 100k. I have a deep, abiding love for the Sierra Nevada and will spend the rest of my life getting to know every nook and cranny of the range. When I’m not moving outside, I consume as much science fiction—books, shows, and movies alike—as I can get my hands on. Some of my recent favorites include Exhalation (Ted Chiang), Foundation (Apple TV+), and Pantheon (Netflix). I also study and practice Buddhism, predominantly in the Soto Zen tradition, which informs my activism, science, and commitment to non-violence and collective liberation.