Welcome to the Board of Directors: Tallie Segel. We’re excited to have you and learn more about you.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a long-time environmental educator focused on youth and adult conservation education programming, community based science, and justice-oriented /community-centered environmental education curriculum development. I'm committed to anti-racist/ anti-oppressive education practices that celebrate cultural and community relationships to the land, biological diversity and how those relationships foster possibilities for a more just and sustainable future.
I work in a variety of capacities to support environmental and outdoor learning for learners of all ages. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, I'm currently a graduate student at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec working on a PhD in social and cultural analysis focusing on the growing diversity, equity and inclusion movement in environmental education and relationships between environmental education and environmental/biodiversity conservation governance.
Q: Place of work, title, location.
A: Concordia University, PhD Student, Researcher, Montreal Quebec/ ABQ, New Mexico
Q: Why did you join SheJumps as a board member?
A: I’ve followed the work of SheJumps and Claire Smallwood from a far for many years and am inspired and excited by the direction the organization is headed. I joined the board to support the work of SheJumps and to help deepen the connections between women in outdoor adventure and building more just and sustainable communities.
Q: What goal of the SheJumps 5 year Strategic Plan is the most important to you?
A: I think the goals of the 5 year strategic plan are all equally important and interconnected. The ability for SheJumps to accomplish the goals of supporting women and girls from all backgrounds in participating in outdoor adventure and learning is intricately connected to building and growing the organization in an intentional and sustainable way. Fostering environmental stewardship also happens through building organizational capacity that enriches the meaningful experiences SheJumps offers. Sustainability has many meanings and dimensions; beyond the design and impact of the events by working on organizational governance and expanding who participates in outdoor adventures and in what ways, I really think that SheJumps embarking on a journey of building and fostering sustainable communities.
Q: What do you hope to contribute to the SheJumps Board of Directors?
A: I research how inclusion and exclusion take place in environmental and outdoor learning and so I have much to offer the SheJumps board in terms of expertise in educational content and equity and inclusion work. I love working on organizational and programmatic development and planning so I’m excited to work on sustainable growth for the organization.
Q: What is your vision for SheJumps?
A: My vision for SheJumps includes continued, sustainable growth as an organization. I think as the organization strategically develops, the staff and broader SheJumps community will continue to deepen the meaningful impact for all women and girls wanting to build community through outdoor adventure.
Now, it’s time for the lightning round:
Q: Outdoor activity of choice (pick one, two if you must)?
A: Hiking
Q: Who inspires you to go outside and why?
A: I’m a plant nerd, I like going outside to see what’s going on with the plants. I love checking out which animals are passing through on migration or doing their work of living their lives on any given day.
Q: Where is your favorite place to go outside or on an adventure?
A: I’m partial to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico) and also Cedar Mesa in Utah.
Q: How has the outdoors benefited your health and overall physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing?
A: A mentor once described the word pedagogy (which refers to the theory and practice of learning) by suggesting that walking is thinking. I spend time outdoors because moving helps me think, and I love asking the question: what’s happening here? Spending time outdoors from urban hikes to remote wilderness adventures has helped me to build amazing friendships, to learn how to take care of myself and others, and to feel connected and aware of my contributions and impact.