KELLY BORGMANN
Learn About Me
A PASSIONATE CONSERVATIONIST
MY PAST
As a child I spent my days playing in the woods and developing a strong connection to nature. That connection only grew as time went on, and led to me obtain a degree in Wildlife Biology. However, it wasn’t until I worked with the Fish and Wildlife Service that I learned that to truly make a difference I would need to marry science and policy.
MY PRESENT
While looking for a way to combine science and policy I found the School for Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University. I recently graduated from the SPEA program with a Masters in Public Affairs and a Masters of Science in Environmental Science, focusing on environmental policy and natural resource management. My past and present are providing me with the unique skills, knowledge, and passion needed to achieve my goal of working in the field of wildlife and endangered species policy.
A DIVERSE BACKGROUND
Work Experience
POLICY FELLOW,
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
May 2020-Present
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Execute a project to enhance Defenders of Wildlife’s advocacy around human-wildlife conflict avoidance by creating internal and external guidance documents around federal payment programs that have or could be used to fund human-wildlife conflict avoidance
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Develop a full project plan, including timeline, stakeholders, and over 10 deliverables
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Assemble information about federal conservation and wildlife funding programs that have been used for human-wildlife conflict avoidance including requirements, guidelines, advocacy opportunities, and how these programs could be improved
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Integrate knowledge and expertise by interviewing more than 20 in-house and external experts on federal payment programs for human-wildlife conflict avoidance through phone conversations, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Skype
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Coordinate internal meetings to develop plans for using and sharing developed resources with internal staff and outside partners and stakeholders
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Author and design a variety or resources including reports, factsheets, white papers, blog posts, infographics, contact lists, and PowerPoints about federal payment programs tailored for different audiences
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Review formal and informal communication and programmatic documents as they relate to the Defenders of Wildlife Field Conservation team
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Assist in writing and developing grants, including a Conservation Innovation Grant from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
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Strengthen outside partnerships by representing Defenders of Wildlife in meetings with various stakeholders and partner organizations
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Establish collaborative groups of internal and external stakeholders to gain further insight into opportunities for federal payment programs for human-wildlife conflict avoidance
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Educate field staff on the Endangered Species Act and other relevant wildlife and environmental laws to better understand legal opportunities
STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PLAN CONSULTANT, RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY
May 2018-February 2020
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Communicated with the executive director, staff, Land Acquisition Committee members, and various other stakeholders to produce a strategic conservation plan to facilitate land conservation across a 5-county area of east-central Indiana
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Identified potential and current habitat for Federal and State listed endangered species to ensure protection of significant habitat areas across a 5-county area
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Authored a Stakeholder Survey, analyze responses, and perform follow-up interviews to further understand the capacity and beliefs of the local conservation community
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Synthesized geospatial data in ArcMap to build a key conservation area map for developing strategies for efficient use of valuable conservation resources and protection of state and federally listed species
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Drafted management plans for current properties protected by the Conservancy to ensure the recovery of listed species and their habitat
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Developed briefing materials, policy statements, outreach materials, factsheets, and reports for the Land Acquisition Committee, Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders
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Initiated policy to streamline the land acquisition process to increase the breadth and level of information gathered and presented on potential land projects for enhanced evaluation
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Assisted the Executive Director in developing funding by drafting grant proposals, writing progress memos, and preparing financial reports
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Developed, planned and implemented oversight of grant applications and reports to ensure funding for land acquisition and other strategic conservation objectives
GIS SPECIALIST & CONSULTANT,
WINDMILL MARKETING
April 2019-Present
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Collaborate with a designer to produce maps for environmental non-profits for use on websites and printed materials
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Synthesize geospatial data in ArcMap and ArcScene before exporting to Adobe programs for final design
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Communicate with non-profits, graphic designers, illustrators, and web designers to produce informative and interactive materials that tell conservation stories
PROGRAM METRICS CONSULTANT,
KEEP INDIANAPOLIS BEAUTIFUL
January-May 2019
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Led a diverse team to research and develop tools to help a non-profit organization track and report program performance for conservation programs
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Researched other organizations and best practices for measuring conservation program success
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Developed a ‘Report Card’ system for the client that rated the different recommendations proposed by the consultation team on support by the literature, implementation feasibility, and impact on the organization
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Wrote a 50 page full report as a leading member of the Writing and Design Team to inform the client of findings and recommendations
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Completed weekly team check-ins, reports, and performance reviews which I then reported back to the full-team and the client
MIDWEST REGIONAL DATA MANAGER & GIS SPECIALIST, WEST INC.
March 2018-May 2020
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Drafted endangered species monitoring reports to inform and analyze risk management strategies for wind and solar energy projects
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Developed and execute clear and focused strategies to ensure collaboration and consistency across multiple teams across the US and Canada
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Identified and promote the best available scientific information on wildlife mortality at renewable energy sites to governments to incorporate that information in planning, policies and strategies
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Analyzed data from more than 30 different species monitoring programs across the Midwest to ensure compliance of renewable energy projects with relevant local, state and federal laws and policies
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Digitized geospatial data into ArcMap and QGIS for flight path analysis of endangered and sensitive species for development of risk management strategies and ensure compliance with state and federal wildlife laws and policies
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Led the Midwest Data Team in prioritizing data entry for more than 30 competing projects to ensure all deadlines are met
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Maintained strong working relationships with leadership across the entire company to facilitate communication of key issues related to projects
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Served as a point of contact within the Midwest team for assistance and training with programs such as ArcMap, Microsoft Excel, and Tableau
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Worked with project managers, field supervisors, and the WEST data team to facilitate coordination, communication, and regular reporting for clients and projects
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Formulated techniques for quality data collection to ensure adequacy, accuracy and legitimacy of data
CONSERVATION EDUCATOR, THE WILDS
March-July 2017
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Supported protection of more than 25 endangered or extirpated species by providing over 100 educational tours, programs, and activities to the general public
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Supervised 13 counselors and over 40 campers ranging in age from 8-18 in daily camp activities and environmental education programs
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Wrote interactive environmental educational programs to foster and build knowledge and passion for the environment
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Collaborated with more than 5 different departments to provide an unforgettable experience to visitors
PARK RANGER, GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NHS
April-October 2016
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Supervised the Ranch more than 8 times, including all on-site staff, volunteers, and activities when all full-time permanent interpretive staff were absent
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Researched and presented 5 different interpretive programs to better connect visitors intellectually and emotionally to western life during the open range cattle era
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Developed 3 different community engagement events to promote the National Park Service and the Grant-Kohrs Ranch within the local community
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Established 6 safety and program policies to ensure the safety and compliance of workers at the ranch
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES TECHNICIAN,
CRYSTAL RIVER NWR
November 2015-March 2016
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Implemented species recovery programs for the Florida manatee, gopher tortoise, indigo snake, and other species known to reside on Refuge Complex lands
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Initiated a public use survey that forecasts traffic at critical habitat areas on the refuge and used the results to influence law enforcement and volunteer presence to better manage resources at the refuge
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Assisted in population counts and health surveys for Florida manatees as part of the recovery program
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Implemented gopher tortoise surveys using burrow scopes to determine presence and number of state-listed gopher tortoises
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Represented the Refuge in public meetings, hearings, news media, conferences, coalitions, and in general communications with public officials, legislators, the media, members, donors, and the public
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Communicated with ABC, CNN, and other national and local news organizations to address questions about the Florida manatee
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Analyzed and drafted answers in response to comments on proposed regulatory changes, administrative policy proposals, and project-level actions affecting wildlife and habitat
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Collaborated with local organizations, businesses, and the City of Crystal River to promote the Refuge and conservation efforts
FIELD INTERN, KARONGWE AND MOGALAKWENA PRIVATE GAME RESERVES
April-September 2015
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Managed 5 endangered and rare species research programs as part of ongoing efforts to support the protection of at-risk species on the preserves
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Track and observe lion, cheetah, and elephants via radio telemetry as part of a multi-year study on the movements and behaviors of charismatic mega-fauna
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Organize research activities such as bird surveys, prey transects, and vegetation surveys to augment research and inform reserve management
PROJECTS
Federal Funding for Human-Wildlife Conflict Avoidance
Policy Options & Strategies for
Agriculture & Climate Change
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & OUTREACH COORDINATOR, RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY
May 2012-2014
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Write site specific management plans to shape the future of over 2600 acres in east-central Indiana
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Assist in the development and implementation of a Capital Campaign to fundraise $500,000 for land protection activities
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Draft monitoring and status reports on land projects including habitat monitoring for endangered and at-risk species
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Review wetland and habitat mitigation projects to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws
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Supervise and manage all biological surveys and stewardship activities taking place on over 15 properties
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Develop education programming for urban and rural nature preserves to assist local educators in connecting people to the land
MY WRITING
Some samples of my writing
HARD SKILLS & PROFICIENCIES
What I Have Learned to Do
WRITING AND RESEARCH
My Strongest Skill Set
MICROSOFT OFFICE & ADOBE CC
Necessary Skills
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
A Valuable Skill
SOFT SKILLS
What You Can't Always Teach
COMMUNICATION
"Think like a wise man
but communicate in the language of the people."
William Butler Yeats
TEAMWORK
"It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."
Charles Darwin
PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION MAKING
“Your ability to solve problems and make good decisions is the true measure of your
skill as a leader.”
Brian Tracy
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
BS, BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
2012-2014
I transferred to Ball State after my Sophomore year at Purdue University. I was in the Wildlife Biology Program, where I studied ecology and conservation. I added experiential classes in science communication and media development.
MPA, INDIANA UNIVERSITY
2017-2019
I recently obtained a Masters of Public Affairs at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. My focus is Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management.
MSES, INDIANA UNIVERSITY
2017-2019
I recently obtained a Masters of Science in Environmental Science at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. My focus is Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management.
Steve Irwin
"My job, my mission, the reason I've been put onto this planet, is to save wildlife."
LET'S CONNECT
