CANDIDATES FOR MEMBER-NOMINATED DIRECTORS
(Three positions available)
Ira Bletz
Bio
After graduating from San Jose State University (Go Spartans!), I worked as a city park ranger followed by seasons with the National Park Service and the U. S. Forest Service. Most of my career has been with the East Bay Regional Park District.
I have been responsible for interpretive programs, historic farming, visitor center development and park operations. Along the way, I developed partnerships with community leaders and organizations creating connections and opportunities to serve all segments of the local community.
For the last six years, I have been a Regional Interpretive & Recreational Services Manager. I oversee the operation of five visitor centers and led the effort making CIG certification universal for all district interpreters. I serve on our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee to coordinate training and implementation of DEI concepts into programming. I have twice been honored to receive the Master Interpretive Manager Award; in 2015 at the National Conference and earlier this year from the Sierra Pacific Region. I enjoy gardening, birds, beer, and baseball (Go Giants!).
Candidate Statement
I love interpretation and I have wanted to work in parks since I was six years old. The best way to connect people with the significance, resources, and values of our public spaces is, in my opinion, through interpretive experiences.
To remain relevant, parks, museums, zoos, and nature centers must create spaces where visitors feel welcome and able to make emotional and intellectual connections with the natural world and the human stories that have shaped the landscape and society. Interpretation helps accomplish this.
Today, we are faced with unprecedented challenges including climate change and the need to expand our view of history and the stories we tell. NAI is a key player in supporting interpreters with information, techniques, and a network of fellow professionals ready to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.
I want to help build a more diverse community of interpreters, so our profession reflects the communities we serve. My grounding in interpretive principles and best practices allows me to create inclusive teams. I am creative, thinking outside the box comes naturally. I have a wicked sense of humor and like to have fun. NAI has supported my career and I would like to repay that investment.
Erin Gates
Bio
Holding a B.S. in Natural Resources Interpretation, I have a solid foundation in the traditional framework of our profession. I have years of national and international experience offering traditional interpretive programs, focusing on natural, cultural and historical resources. I have the incredible privilege to utilize my years of field interpretation and communication skills to now help advance our field in a new capacity as the Deputy District Superintendent for both Redwood National and State Parks and the North Coast Redwoods District of California State Parks. My goal in this new chapter of my career is to help ensure that leadership understands the critical role that interpretation plays in helping to achieve management goals and objectives
Candidate Statement
I have had the pleasure and honor to serve on the NAI Board since Jan. 2020. In that time, I have worked closely with NAI staff, Board members, and members at large to ensure that NAI has persevered through the challenging times of COVID-19, social unrest, and the call to action for interpretive professionals across the country and the world to step up and answer the call to ensure that the stories that we are sharing are ones that include multiple perspectives. From facilitating InterpTech 2020, to offering webinars about elevating indigenous voices and helping to build new recruitment tools for young professionals, I have greatly appreciated the ability to effect positive change for this organization and its members over the last 3 years.
While the goals of interpretation have not changed, how we accomplish them has changed greatly. As a professional organization, we are uniquely positioned to provide new training and educational opportunities that will give interpreters of tomorrow the tools they need to reach new visitors. If elected to serve another term, I will continue to ensure that NAI is a relevant organization that is able to adapt to the current needs of interpreters. From the seasonal interpreter, to a park manager like myself, we need to recognize the necessity of our profession to help connect new visitors to the historical, cultural and natural stories of the places we are charged with protecting.
Sarena Gill
Bio
I am a long-time interpreter and nonformal educator who is not great at writing bios/candidate statements, but I will give it my best effort. I was introduced to interpretation as a profession at a regional workshop in the spring of 2008. I recognized the benefits of connecting with other interpreters, continuing to learn about interpretation, and getting involved. Over the years since, I attended multiple conferences as attendee and presenter, served as regional leadership, earned and maintain CIT/CIGT status, and focused my graduate studies on interpretation and interpreters. I am a passionate environmental zoo/aquarium professional who strongly believes in the value of interpretation, equity and accessibility, and contributing in a meaningful way.
Candidate Statement
I am a current board member-at-large on the NAI National Board of Directors. During my time on the board, I have participated in and taken a lead role on multiple task forces, joined committees, and participated in the meetings. I am running for another term because I feel I can continue to contribute my experience, expertise, and passion to be a voice for the membership I represent on the Board. I believe in transparency along with continuing to move us forward with justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at the forefront. I hope to continue serving this organization and profession in the role of board member.
Brady McKellar
Hello fellow interpreters. My name is Brady McKellar, and I’m asking you humbly to consider me as your selection for the 2021 Member-Nominated Board Position.
Bio
As a child, I took my first steps into living history interpretation with my family portraying refugees during the siege of Vicksburg in Mississippi. I did not understand then the concept of interpretation, but over the past 20 years, I have developed a true passion for forging connections and amplifying the stories of people and places. I graduated from the University of Southern MS with a Master’s in Fine Arts with an emphasis on historical design, and this Fall, a Master’s in Business Administration. I am currently the Managing Director for the Vermilionville Living History Museum in Lafayette, LA. I oversee a staff of 12 part-time artist-interpreters and musicians, and our interpretive programs, and I always enjoy brining vital lessons-learned from NAI Conferences and training sessions to my team.
With NAI, I have deepened my interpretative understandings and techniques through workshops, InterpTalk sessions, and conferences. I am a Certified Interpretive Guide, Certified Interpretive Trainer, Chair for the Cultural and Historical Interpretation Section, and a member of the JEDAI Committee. In 2021, I served as Programming Chair for the NAI National Conference.
Candidate Statement
I believe in telling stories accurately, vulnerably, and with integrity, and I envision a community where that is demanded. Celebrated. Stories are gifts that connect the past and present to the future, honor those who came before, and inspire future generations. This is also a driving belief of the National Association for Interpretation, and I recognize its excellence in the sharing and facilitating of stories, voices, and values of the people, places, and things of our world. And ensuring that these stories are diverse and inclusive, that all people have equal access to experience and understand them. To the board, I offer my work with diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and my experience with both interpretive and business management. Narrative is uniquely and vitally human – and I would love to serve as a leader for this organization that is dedicated to its necessity.
Nadine Meyer
Bio
I’m Nadine Meyer, Education Director for Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, MN. My career started in 1996 as an Environmental Education Intern and Seasonal Interpretive Naturalist at Lake Metigoshe State Park in Bottineau, ND. From there I joined the interpretive naturalist team at St. Joseph County Parks in South Bend, IN and then worked at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Cleveland, OH until 2004. In 2005 I joined the Minnesota DNR as an Aquatic Resources Education Specialist, eventually transitioning to the Division of Parks and Trails as a Park Manager.
NAI played a significant role in my formative years as I served the NAI Region 4 Board of Directors from 1999-2004 as the chair for the NAI Region 4 Communications Committee which included producing the NAI Region 4 Interpretive Booklets and quarterly newsletter. I served as the Program Co-Chair for the 2001 Region 4 Workshop, on the 2004 NIW programs committee, and participated on the planning committee for the 2008 Region 5 Workshop. I also volunteered as a reviewer for the NAI Interpretive Media Awards program which eventually led me to become the Chair of the NAI Interpretive Media Awards Program from 2004-2008.
After a brief hiatus, I am ecstatic to be back in this outstanding organization and network of professionals now that I’ve returned to my career roots with OWELC. Since returning to NAI, I’ve started my certification as an Interpretive Trainer for the CIG and co-presented my first CIG workshop in February 2022.
Candidate Statement
I’m excited by the work NAI is doing to make this career accessible, inclusive, and equitable. I have six years of experience conducting inclusiveness assessments and providing DEI training for parks and trails and environmental education professionals. I am an Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator and certified facilitator for the Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment. I can provide support and guidance for continuing NAI’s JEDI work. I would be honored to represent you on the NAI National Board of Directors.
Melissa Tyer
Bio
I am Melissa Tyer, Museum Education Coordinator at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. We are a mid-sized organization. I oversee the school and youth group programs and outreach at the museum.
Candidate Statement
I want to serve on the National Association for Interpretation’s Board of Directors because… I love NAI! I want to be of service to the organization that has done so much to help me succeed. My goal is to listen, learn, and work hard for you to make the organization as responsive as possible to our evolving field. I have the most experience working on strategic planning and evaluation projects at the Board level.
Strategic Planning: I love thinking big about vision and mission. I want the actions our organization takes to have purpose and lead to something meaningful. I used our assets wisely and strategically to build the largest school program at our Park. We consistently receive the highest evaluations and ratings. These programs bring people to our site and further our strategic educational mission.
Evaluation: I have coordinated large evaluation studies for our organization in partnership with museum associations and in-house. My professional career has involved a lot of program creation and evaluation. I would love to assist in developing/communicating metrics to evaluate how NAI is meeting its strategic goals.
Tactical Execution: I am a hard worker and a good person to have around when you need to get something done. I like to have a job to do and complete it to a high standard. I coordinate with 65 different museums, nature centers, and zoos on a local museum board to create a printed booklet each year. The Passport booklet encourages visitation to amazing sites that sometimes people don’t even know are in their town.
I enjoy working to bring community members and experts together to accomplish tough jobs and create lasting buy-in for projects. I would like to apply this experience to bring the strategic goals to life as part of the NAI board. Thank you for your consideration.