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Category: Careers Outdoors

Crecemos Outdoors: Meet Mindy Silva

Recently, we had the chance to get to know Mindy Silva, Director of Special Projects at Camber Outdoors. We learned about her work as a Latina in the DEI space and her connections to nature, faith, and family.

“Learning to take risks was an important part of my personal growth and development.”

Can you tell us some about your personal journey, from growing up to where you are now?

As I reflect back on my childhood journey, I can now appreciate the uniqueness of my experiences compared to my peers and family members. My parents were very intentional about my siblings and I experiencing the outdoors. We frequented Yosemite National Park and Lake Havasu. My father is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and he believed it was important for us to learn outdoor and survival skills. Many of which he shared with us during our family adventures. During these adventures, we were stretched to try new things and take risks. I can now see that learning to take risks was an important part of my personal growth and development. Being outdoors allowed me to step out of my comfort zone of my suburban community and adapt to changing environments – valuable skills that allowed me to build my confidence and take new risks as I grew up. I can recall that some of my family members did not share these experiences. Often fearful of breaking the routine of work and school, they stayed indoors most of the time. Some family members were not even allowed to play in their front yards. In hindsight, I am sure that coming home and sharing about our bear encounters at our cabin in Yosemite did not help reduce any of their fears!

Considering your journey, can you share with us a story about your personal connection to the outdoors, or even a lack of a connection?

When I am outdoors, it is as if time is suspended, the chaos around me is silenced and I feel a strong connection to God – my creator. I experience a true sense of calm and appreciation for the beauty around me. Being outdoors also allows me to recenter and reconnect with my family. There is truly nothing like it!

One of my most treasured memories is when my husband and I decided to hit the road with our children for a three-week road trip adventure across nine states (Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and our own home state of California). Traveling with our children really brought our vacation to life! Seeing everything through their eyes was absolutely magical. They were truly experiencing the beauty in the world for the first time. At each destination, our children stopped to collect their favorite rocks or seashells, they smelled all the beautiful flowers as they passed them by, they dared us to race to the top of each hiking trail, and they made us laugh uncontrollably. Oh, and who can resist a game of tag once you hear the words “you’re it!” In the best possible way, they made us feel like kids again.

Watching our children bond, laugh, and play together made the entire experience worth it. Equally as rewarding was the uninterrupted, quality time we spent together. On our road trip, there were often long stretches where wireless service was limited. The uninterrupted time together created greater opportunities for sharing, singing, laughing, and making memories that would last a lifetime. 

“When I returned home, I felt a stirring inside me to be a positive force for change.“

How did this road trip experience play into your larger journey as a Latina in the workforce and inform your work in the JEDI space?

This road trip was life-changing in so many ways. During our road trip, one of the things that stood out most was that there were not many families who “looked like us.” In several towns, community members were not shy to point out the obvious, that we were visitors. When I returned home, I felt a stirring inside me to be a positive force for change.

I am personally driven by my passion and purpose to support organizations in building their capacity to effectively create equitable systemic change in the communities across the United States. This is what led me to Camber and what informs my work as a Latina in the DEI space. 

Can you share with us your work with Camber Outdoors? A lot of people get worn out by the conversation about JEDI, not because they don’t believe or know first-hand the need to create a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive world, but because they don’t see brands, organizations, or agencies taking any action, beyond words. What is unique about Camber and its Partners?

At Camber, I lead cross-functional initiatives that contribute to measured impact in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion in the active outdoor industry. One of those initiatives is the Camber Survey System, which is easily one of the most rewarding contributions I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of. The Camber Survey System is a best-in-class survey developed in partnership with the Claremont Evaluation Center – leaders in research design and methodology.

Our goal at Camber is to establish the Camber Survey System as a gold standard of workplace DEI measurement and progress across committed Partners in the Outdoor Recreation Economy. Camber Partners have a unique opportunity to accelerate workplace change as they gain strategic insights and actionable data to learn from, take action on, and make change! Year two of the Camber Survey System has yielded incredible results and measurable forward progress from our Partners. Camber Partners is stepping up to the challenge to move beyond promises to make real progress. As we equip our partners with actionable data, we see incredible strides from a workplace perspective around equitable systems and inclusive culture and leadership practices.  

“On a larger scale, I am hopeful that the Camber Survey System will become a north star for organizations committed to workplace DEI measurement and progress for the outdoor industry and beyond.” 

Can you tell us what a day at Camber Outdoors looks like for Mindy Silva? You spoke very passionately about the role you play at Camber. Why does this work matter to you?

My favorite part about my day-to-day work at Camber is working alongside the entire Camber team and industry peers who share a cohesive vision for systems change. As part of a team that embodies Workplace DEI, I have been able to show up as my authentic self and bring the best of my creativity to the workplace. This feeling of belonging and celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to drive my passion for supporting other organizations in building their capacity to effectively create diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces across the outdoor industry.

Working for Camber has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I remain inspired by the thoughtfulness Camber continues to display at all levels of leadership. I am looking forward to what the future holds and remain grateful at heart for the incredible workplace culture that has been created.

How does Camber make outdoors workplaces more inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible? 

Camber has built scalable workplace DEI resources and programming where all Camber Partners and their employees have access to the rich suite of Camber resources and supports, including mentoring programs, the Building Blocks of DEI, Voices from the Future of Work, the Camber Survey System and much more! All Camber resources are available via our online platform and are accessible to persons at all levels of leadership.

Camber has also instituted a new approach of a more guided experience for our Partners to help them navigate the suite of resources needed to achieve their organization-specific goals. Supporting our partners with a data-driven approach to systemic change is a top priority of Camber. Measured change across Inclusive Culture and Leadership Practices, Equitable Supportive Systems and Diverse Talent Pipeline ensure that our partners are focused on change at all levels of leadership across the outdoor industry.

Many BIPOC communities experience several barriers to accessing the backcountry and the “boardroom”. Can you share any insight into why this might be and explain some of these barriers?

There are many excellent groups (like Latino Outdoors!) working on outdoors access and can speak to those barriers. Camber’s work is focused on systems change in workplaces. From this viewpoint, expanding the networks of BIPOC communities is a key driver to expanding opportunities. Camber’s systems approach of first readying workplaces and then building a diverse talent pipeline will help create these expanded opportunities for employers and potential employees. We are excited about the upcoming initiative to support our partners in this next phase of Camber programs and offerings.

What are the issues you see come up repeatedly in your work in terms of JEDI?

One of the issues that I see come up repeatedly is the opportunity that exists to bring in diverse talent via the remote work environment. Previously, many workplaces felt restricted by their geographic locations. Now that remote work has become the norm, and many workplaces are embracing the opportunities to attract underrepresented talent from across the United States. Camber has intentionally remained a 100% remote workplace for this very reason – to access outstanding talent where they are. It has been incredible to work with a breadth of talented colleagues from across the US. 

For many people, DEI initiatives feel performative. What would you say to someone who feels this way?

I would say to them, “remain hopeful.” Camber Partners is stepping up to the challenge to move beyond promises to make real progress. As we equip our partners with actionable data, we see incredible strides from a workplace perspective around equitable systems and inclusive culture and leadership practices.  

Changing the culture of a company, of an industry, or a structure takes time, resources, and data. That being said, what does impact look like for you in this work? What does success look like?

Measurable impact is crucial to the work ahead. Camber’s approach to workplace DEI is systems change, which means that success looks like having strong systems, practices, and processes in place to create workplaces that truly value people of all views, cultures, and backgrounds. On a larger scale, I am hopeful that the Camber Survey System will become a north star for organizations committed to workplace DEI measurement and progress for the outdoor industry and beyond.  

When we spoke, you had mentioned that Camber Outdoors has an upcoming leadership institute report. Can you share with us some highlights or surprising findings?

Yes! Camber is excited to release the Leadership Institute Launchpad. The Launchpad consists of a series of micro-learnings to support participation in systems change by employees at all levels of leadership, including the individual contributor and middle management. 

“I would tell other Latino/Latina people who are in the early stages of their careers to be their authentic selves, to step out of their comfort zones, to pave new paths, and to take risks.”

Considering your journey, your heritage, your background, and your ongoing work advancing justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, what advice would you offer to early-career Latinx people of all ages?

As I consider this incredible journey, my heritage, my background, my faith, and my ongoing work in advancing DEI, I would tell other Latino/Latina people who are in the early stages of their careers to be their authentic selves, to step out of their comfort zones, to pave new paths, and to take risks. Personally, my first lens of how I view the world and the people in it is “love.” Love of self and love for those around me – as measured by a true appreciation and celebration of people from all views, cultures, and backgrounds. 

And finally, where can we find the new Camber Outdoors report?

The Four-part Camber Survey System, which includes both cohort and customized insights, is currently being delivered to our Partners who participated in the survey. Soon we’ll be sharing out some of the top-level insights via social media – stay tuned!

Learn more about Camber and their ongoing work at camberoutdoors.org

Meandering Ways: Leaning Into My Leadership

por Ruby J. Rodríguez

In my twenties, I often committed to gatherings only to back out when I remembered that I actually prefer to chill at home, usually alone. Now, in my thirties, building community and getting out of my comfort zone is a practice that I value. So, I was fully aware when I signed up for a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Executive Leadership course that I would be pushing my boundaries on many levels. Structured as a kayaking expedition on Mexico’s el Mar Bermejo (the Red Sea, otherwise known as the Sea of Cortez), I welcomed the investment in my personal and professional development. That did not stop subtle, brief moments of hesitation (even regret) from creeping up on me as the date approached. This will be good for me, I told myself.

After signing up for the executive leadership course, I participated in Latino Outdoors’ Mapping Migraciones initiative. This year-long collaboration with Audubon explores how birds and people are connected through geography and culture. I learned about my family’s migration story and realized that my great-great-grandmother Guadalupe migrated through the Red Sea, which is the same water I would be on. My relationship with nature, how I move through this world, and some of my leadership challenges, are all intertwined with my desire to heal and evolve from cultural assimilation and intergenerational trauma. That I would return to the same water that she journeyed on was an endeavor I never considered. 

The days went by until my travel date arrived. I triple-checked my gear list and ventured outside of the U.S. for the first time in my life. Upon landing at Loreto Airport, I cried a little when I saw the preciousness of the plants and landscape. A few minutes later, I met my expedition pod of mostly White men. I knew in advance that I was the only woman participant and one of two people of color, and had felt okay with that. I believed that I had a lot to offer the group. But, in my state of vulnerability, I became overwhelmed and felt myself close off.

Following an awkward and sleepy 90-minute drive to the NOLS Mexico campus, I decided to embrace the challenge and remain open to connecting with my pod. We sat and enjoyed a meal together, washed dishes, and moved through a facilitated conversation about our goals and personal contributions towards a successful expedition. I began to really see my pod members. I took a risk and offered my openness and trust, and requested their support of my presence on the expedition in exchange for my support of them. 

Sometimes I am comfortable with using my voice and can do so eloquently. My struggle is with being front and center as a designated leader and knowing that people are waiting to hear my voice. Designated leadership is a key component of NOLS’ training framework, and I was transparent about my desire to work on this during our time together. Well, my day as a designated leader came, and I promptly fumbled. Bleh. 

I had another chance to practice the following day. This time I showed up more prepared and practiced speaking from my diaphragm. I received props for that. We learned that rather than ask someone to adopt an inauthentic leadership style, we can come closer and practice listening intently to soft-spoken leaders like me. For me, it is a two-way street. Finding my signature leadership style is not about becoming a loud, talkative extrovert. It’s about building my confidence and communication skills and leaning into my own strengths. I offered resilience and community building to our expedition: two invaluable skills to have while working together towards a common goal. I also modeled the art of meandering through the subtleties of nature, which I believe supported wellness and introspection during a week of uncertainty. Making space for diverse leadership to develop and thrive will serve our teams, communities, and society in ways that empower us all.

On our last day in the field, I spent some time wondering what my great-great Grandma would think of my time snorkeling and practicing my leadership skills in the Red Sea. Connecting with her through the land and water has encouraged a kind of healing and growth that simply cannot be achieved from the comfort zone of my living room. 

My Journey with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

por Brijonnay Madrigal

Repost from NOAA. See the full blog here

Over 30 years ago, my father immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico seeking a better life. He began as a migrant worker and was later granted amnesty in 1986. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. He never went to college, but understands the importance of education. I was the first person in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and subsequently will be the first in my family to earn a doctoral degree. As I have continued in higher education, I found that among my peers and colleagues there are less and less people of color and people that look like me. Hispanics are underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields and the percentage of Hispanic women in higher education is extremely low.

I seek to overcome the statistics and strive to achieve my goal of earning a PhD as a Mexican American woman in marine science. I have been very fortunate to work with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries since high school, and this government organization has provided me with incredible opportunities to thrive, not only as a scientist but as an educator and steward of the ocean.

When I was a junior in high school, I was selected to participate in the Ocean for Life program, an ocean science and cultural exchange program. I joined students from the Middle East and across the U.S. in Santa Barbara, California. It was an incredible experience because as an aspiring marine biologist, I was excited to learn about the work of the National Marine Sanctuary System. We explored Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary through hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking and gained an appreciation for these underwater parks.

This was a special experience for me because it was my first time being in a national marine sanctuary. I connected with students from diverse backgrounds, learned about different cultures and gained an appreciation for the local Chumash community of the Channel Islands area. We learned how to be ocean advocates and the importance of ocean conservation while also cultivating an understanding of other cultures. This field program really ignited my passion for marine science and solidified my desire to commit my life to the ocean. After high school, I moved to Hawaiʽi for college, excited to study marine biology as an undergraduate at the University of Hawaiʽi at Mānoa.

As an undergraduate, I became involved with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. I was excited to work with the humpback whale sanctuary because it was the sanctuary right in my backyard! I was an intern for the Sanctuary Ocean Count, a citizen science project where volunteers conduct humpback whale surveys from land and collect data on sightings (number of individuals) and surface-active behaviors. This project engages the community in monitoring this vital migratory species and promotes awareness of humpback whales in Hawaiʽi. My role was to organize volunteers, schedule volunteers for sites across the islands, and conduct site visits on Ocean Count days.

A teenage Brijonnay preparing to snorkel in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park as part of her Ocean for Life experience. Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA

I also was involved in education and outreach and went to various events on the island of Oʽahu to educate the public on humpback whales and the important role the sanctuary plays in the conservation of this species. I enjoyed not only engaging with the volunteers but also doing a little whale watching, too, as I am always amazed by their incredible breaching behavior.

After graduating from the University of Hawaiʽi at Mānoa with a bachelor of science in marine biology, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing higher education. In the heart of Monterey Bay, California is a tiny town called Moss Landing—if you blinked you would miss it. I attended Moss Landing Marine Laboratories where I was a master’s student in the Vertebrate Ecology Laboratory. I am passionate about marine science, so when the opportunity came up to work for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, in the education and outreach realm, I jumped at the chance! I enjoy the research side of science, but education and outreach has always been my other passion.

The exploration center is a visitor center off the Santa Cruz wharf almost entirely run by volunteers, docents, and a small staff, which educates the public about Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I started working as a program assistant and eventually became the volunteer coordinator. I managed over 60 volunteers at the exploration center and was not only in charge of training docents on how to educate the public about the sanctuary, but also how to engage visitors in using our interactive exhibits. I led education programs, including field trips that took us to the beach, hands-on activities in the classroom, and led interactions with the exhibits at the center.

I loved that my job was hands-on, and I got to work with a broad variety of people from kindergarteners to retired docents. I loved seeing the enthusiasm of the docents when they came in ready for their shift and their excitement when they shared their knowledge of the sanctuary with visitors. Volunteers are truly vital to the success of national marine sanctuary education and outreach and they play an important role in increasing public knowledge and awareness of America’s underwater treasures. I really enjoyed working with sanctuary volunteers, so after nearly three years, I was sad to leave the exploration center, but a new opportunity arose that I couldn’t pass up.

After earning my master’s degree, I applied to the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program offered by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This program funds graduate students conducting marine research within the sanctuary system. I was ecstatic when I received the call—I had gotten the scholarship! This scholarship allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of attaining a PhD. I am currently a second year PhD student at the University of Hawaiʽi at Mānoa in the Marine Mammal Research Program. My lab is located on Coconut Island (a.k.a. Gilligan’s Island) at the Hawaiʽi Institute of Marine Biology. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because it is not every day you get to take a boat to work!

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar, Brijonnay Madrigal, on a research boat conducting marine mammal surveys with MMRP collaborator, Cascadia Research Collective. Photo: Robin Baird/Cascadia Research Collective

I am collaborating with the sanctuary system’s SanctSound acoustic monitoring project, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. For my research, I am using passive acoustic monitoring to understand the occurrence and distribution of two Hawaiian resident toothed whale species; false killer whales and short-finned pilot whales, inside and outside the sanctuary and in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. I am also interested in measuring the overall soundscape and quantifying anthropogenic (human made) noise, including shipping and naval sonar. Ultimately, I am interested in understanding how anthropogenic noise may affect false killer whale and pilot whale acoustic behavior. Although I have just completed my first year of my PhD, I am excited to see how the results from my work may influence management and impact conservation efforts in Hawaiʽi.

During my time at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, on my way to the lab every morning, I would pass by migrant workers picking in the fields, fields where my father and grandfather once worked, and I was always reminded that behind every humble beginning is a big dream. I am proud of my heritage, and I strive to make my father proud as I work towards achieving my goals. Over the last 10 years, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has provided me with invaluable opportunities and has enabled me to pursue my dream of becoming a marine biologist. Without the support of this government organization, I would not be in the position I am today. Through my story, I hope to inspire Hispanic youth to pursue science and encourage more Latino involvement in STEM. I strive to increase diversity and inclusivity in my field, and I hope that one day we will see more Hispanic representation in marine science.