Past Members of the Board
2017-2019
Treasurer: Lauren Watkins (@DrLaurenWatkins)
Lauren Watkins is the Director of Behavior Change Strategies at Impact by Design – a non-profit organization that aims to build the capacity of organizations to reach their desired impact for conservation. She is a Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Martha Monroe’s lab at the University of Florida where she specializes in psychological connection to nature, behavior change, and the impact of informal science learning centers. Lauren has worked for more than ten years in the conservation field at zoos, state and national parks, and environmental education centers. Lauren holds a BA in psychology from Flagler College and an MS in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She serves on the leadership committee for the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation and was awarded Environmental Interpreter of the Year in 2011 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks.
Fun Fact: Lauren is a wildland firefighter – specifically for forest and prairie fires. When she’s not bringing the heat to the forest, she brings it to the volleyball court where she plays competitively.
Communications Officer: Kevin Connor (@KevinTConnor)
Kevin Connor ;has more than a decade working at the crossroads of science, conservation and communication at the international level. After starting his career as a journalist, he switched paths and brought his communications skills to the conservation world. He worked in conservation marketing and communications for Oceana, Conservation International and the Pew Charitable Trusts. He is currently the a Director of Communications for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Fun Fact: Kevin worked as a sports writer and journalist for 3 years. One of his favorite moments occurred when he covered Cal Ripken’s Hall-of-Fame induction and before an interview, Cal greeted Kevin by name (“Hello, Kevin!”) when he arrived. For a kid from Baltimore, that was just great.