Sarah Eiden
Charlottesville,VA
Summary
I am an experience program manager with a Master of Science in International Conservation and Development. I have a background designing and implementing programs in conservation strategy, sustainable and resilient natural resource management, trade policy, international law enforcement, and community-based food systems. I am committed to bringing my extensive program design and operational management skillset to promote climate adaptation and build community resiliency through strategic collaboration.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs and Trade (USFS/IPT)
11.2023 - Current
- Design and implement multiple strategic projects for public and private sector program recipients in natural resource management including: a five-year, $5 million program to enhance natural resource management capacity in Tajikistan; numerous Southeast Asia timber legality and law enforcement initiatives; regional disaster response and community resilience program to improve regional stability
- Facilitate end-to-end project management in partnership with countries to fulfill designated conservation and resilience aims and secure lasting effects of program efforts following close-out.
- Develop strategic partnerships with global stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness.
- Facilitate and streamline stakeholder collaboration with USFS technical experts, academic researchers, non-profits, international governments, and community practitioners to develop and review climate-adaptive programming for incorporating climate-resilient solutions into planning and decision-making
- Lead cross-functional teams to implement international forestry programs and trade initiatives, including mentoring junior staff on best practices in program execution and stakeholder engagement.
- Initiate and strengthen high-impact partnerships with U.S. interagency, international governments, NGOs, international organizations, and key stakeholders to address climate change priorities including implementation of a national level reforestation strategy, community reforestation efforts, and a Community Emergency Response Training for natural disasters
- Facilitate collaborator cohorts to co-create community training material and deliver pilot trainings related to climate-adaptive community farming in Tajikistan and natural disaster first responder training in Vietnam for evaluation and curriculum adjustment based on lessons learned
- Organize and lead international seminars and workshops for 20-50 participants over multiple days, incorporating hands-on scenario training breakout sessions and group work facilitation utilizing exceptional communication skills and oral facilitation to engage diverse audiences.
- Develop educational material to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely to various audiences including senior government, scientific partners, and community implementers
- Streamlined project management processes, improving efficiency across multiple projects.
- Oversee all operational responsibilities for grant-funded programs including grant writing and budget development, accounting of program spend-down, monitoring program targets, and report writing
- Manage and administer $500,000+ in sub-grants to international NGOs including overseeing financial and operational compliance for U.S. government funds
- Meet with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
Local Food Coordinator
Alternative Energy and Resource Organization
02.2022 - 09.2023
- Coordinated partnerships with local nonprofits, tribal partners, regional organizations, state institutions, and federal funds to evaluate efforts within Montana food system and community involvement in adapting to climate change
- Performed community needs assessments to promote community involvement and group decision-making in developing sustainable agriculture strategies for climate adaptation
- Created and established virtual platform in conjunction with collaborative training program employing web-based technologies to unite schools and institutions with local food producers elevating access to fresh local ingredients.
- Collaborated with decision and policy makers to plan and facilitate a workshop series with 50+ local food buyers and producers across Montana to foster sustainable supply chains, strengthen understanding of relevant state and federal legislation, and implement sustainable food production practices
School Gardens Manager
Garden City Harvest
06.2021 - 10.2023
- Program Manager for farm-to-school classroom and community integration including developing, reporting, and reconciling budgets for multiple school programs
- Collaborated with Montana-based media to communicate the programs value to wider audiences
- Created and delivered farm-to-school curriculum for +500 students and trained teachers to implement curriculum demonstrating an ability to translate complex natural resource principles across audiences
- Developed and executed training programs for staff, improving skill sets and performance
- Managed project timelines and resources, ensuring successful completion of community engagement initiatives
Program Manager
International Seminar for Protected Area Management (ISPAM)
05.2020 - 08.2021
- Partnered with U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs and Trade (USFS/IPT) and Montana-based public land stakeholders to create and execute training content on USFS multiple-use mandate, National Park System, and state land management sustainable use strategies.
- Facilitated implementation and co-developed content for virtual training and certificate program, including administering interactive workshop to 80+ international participants using innovative technologies to enhance collaborative learning.
- Developed and managed global best-practices community to support knowledge transfer among 100+ international conservation professionals
- Coordinated and supervised travel logistics and visa acquisition for over 20 participants across 15 countries.
- Managed all logistical operations for U.S.-based travel three-week seminar ensuring seamless execution of site visits, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and travel throughout Montana and Washington D.C.
Research Assistant
Western Montana Climbers Coalition
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Designed and implemented surveys through SurveyMonkey to collect data on public land recreation use
- Conducted literature reviews to support ongoing research initiatives and project development
- Collaborated with team members to design and implement field data collection protocols
- Synthesized data through Qualtrics to provide data-informed results to communicate outputs to a diverse audience
- Utilized Tableau to present data in graphic formats for various reports to Montana-based stakeholders
Russian Language Translator - Contractor
Eiden Systems Corporation
06.2018 - 09.2018
- Provided contracted language support on the Foundation Intelligence Rapid Response (FiRR) Support program for the Scientific and Technical Intelligence (S&TI) Directorate at The National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC).
Program Manager
English Exchange Program
07.2012 - 07.2017
- Designed, organized, and implemented summer immersive language opportunities for Russian college students in partnership with U.S. academic institutions
- Facilitated all travel operations, including visa support, for all U.S. students participating as English teachers for Russian students over five years of programming
- Initiated and developed U.S.-Russian academic institutional partnerships
Education
Master of Science - International Conservation and Development
University of Montana
Missoula, Montana05-2021
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Virginia Polytechnic and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia05-2012
Skills
- Program & Grant Management
- Donor Reporting
- Stakeholder & Partnership Development
- US Government Interagency Coordination
- Cross-sector Collaboration
- Community Mobilization
- Strategic Planning
- Natural Resource and International Policy Advocacy
- Financial & Budget Oversight
- Event Planning and Execution
- Data Analysis & Research: NVivo, Qualtrics, R-Suite, Tableau, QGIS, Open Foris, iTree
- Technology & Software: Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, CRM platforms, Web Development, Meeting Facilitation
Timeline
Program Manager
U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs and Trade (USFS/IPT)
11.2023 - Current
Local Food Coordinator
Alternative Energy and Resource Organization
02.2022 - 09.2023
School Gardens Manager
Garden City Harvest
06.2021 - 10.2023
Program Manager
International Seminar for Protected Area Management (ISPAM)
05.2020 - 08.2021
Research Assistant
Western Montana Climbers Coalition
05.2020 - 08.2020
Russian Language Translator - Contractor
Eiden Systems Corporation
06.2018 - 09.2018
Program Manager
English Exchange Program
07.2012 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Virginia Polytechnic and State University
Master of Science - International Conservation and Development
University of Montana