My love for nature sprouted in early childhood. Raised on a large apple orchard farm in the western foothills of Maine, I spent a majority of my time either deep in the woods or on the beach. Growing up in Maine taught me if you nurture mother nature, she'll nurture you right back. So I became her biggest cheerleader.
Being the first person in my family to attend college came with a huge burden and a hefty price tag. After I completed my B.S. from the University of Southern Maine, I packed up my belongings and drove my little rust-bucket of a car out west. With no clear path in mind other than a room to crash in with an uncle in San Francisco, I found myself "accidentally" landing in the heart of Texas.
So I did what any 20-something-year-old does: I found a cheap place to rent and worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. Through happenstance, I met a friend who convinced me to become a teacher at an elementary school. I didn't know at the time that this would be the tipping point in finding my calling. Working in public education was the stepping stone that led me to continue my education career with Planned Parenthood.
Working for Planned Parenthood was one of the most rewarding careers I've had as it allowed me to see the impact I was creating; a feeling that has guided me throughout my professional career. It helped me develop as a leader and mentor, which came in handy as I made the transition to the Land of Enchantment.
My time in New Mexico was both a gift and a test of perseverance. I had the tremendous opportunity to establish and grow a new department with a start-up company that I assisted in becoming one of the most nationally recognized arts and entertainment companies in the multiverse. During my time at Meow Wolf, I took on many roles, wore a variety of funky hats (literally and figuratively) and had the opportunity to collaborate on a plethora of projects and social impact initiatives that I am notably proud of.
So where does one transition to after throwing a global pandemic into the crock pot? If you guessed City Government, then you're correct. Getting a personal appointment from the Mayor of Albuquerque not only checked a box on "Drew's life-goal list," it also gave me the opportunity to serve under-represented communities again and got me back to the roots of my social impact journey. Working together with a diverse and talented team of City leaders, I guided the re-branding, communications, and marketing strategy for the newly-formed Office of Equity & Inclusion and then later for the Parks & Recreation department.
Similar to a game of spirograph, my professional career is multi-layered, intersectional, and colorful. With over a decade of experience leading nonprofit organizations, public education, government, and privately-owned corporations, I bring an eclectic mix of industry experience that manifests positive and innovative results.
Send me a message to learn what I can do for you.
Seedling Innovations