Meet Jess

Hi. I'm Jess.

I'm a recreation professional, writer, dog person, and firm believer that some of the best things in life happen outside.

A neighborhood walk after a hard day. A trail conversation that lasts longer than expected. A quiet lake sunset. A dog investigating a scent like they're about to solve a cold case. The feeling of coming home a little lighter than when you left.

For most of my career, I've worked in parks, recreation, wellness, and community programs. Along the way, I've become fascinated by a simple question:

How do we help people participate more fully in life?

Not perfectly.

Not productively.

Just fully.

That question has led me to trails, conference stages, neighborhood parks, classrooms, and countless miles alongside my dogs. It's shaped the way I think about leadership, recreation, community, and the ordinary moments that quietly change us.

I believe recreation is more than what we do. It's how we reconnect.

Reconnect with ourselves.

Reconnect with each other.

Reconnect with the places that remind us to pay attention.

If my work leaves people with one idea, I hope it's this:

Tiny adventures count.

Experience & Credentials

My work sits at the intersection of recreation, leadership, community well-being, dog behavior, and the outdoors. The experiences below have shaped the way I think, write, and speak about helping people participate more fully in their lives.

Education

  • M.S., Recreation Administration
    George Williams College

  • B.S., Community & Environmental Sociology
    University of Wisconsin–Madison

Certifications

  • Certified Training Partner, Karen Pryor Academy

  • Certified Health Coach, American Council on Exercise (ACE)

  • Certified Group Fitness Instructor, American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Professional Experience

  • Recreation professional and community program leader

  • Speaker and writer

  • Outdoor recreation advocate

A Few Things About Me

  • I believe car safaris count as adventure.

  • I wrote a guidebook for hiking with dogs.

  • I have strong opinions about recreation (and happily discuss them over coffee or on a trail).

  • Hilo wins more negotiations than I'd like to admit.

  • If there's a choice between the scenic route and the fastest route, I'm probably already on the scenic one.

Ready to Explore? Contact Us!

Drop me a quick note below and let's plan something fun together—tours, workshops, or a custom adventure.