Launching a Career in Interpretation: Allie Elliott

Allie Elliott is an interpreter based in Midland, Michigan who brings together her background in biology and passion for people to create meaningful connections with the natural world. She works at the Chippewa Nature Center as an Interpretive Naturalist / Assistant Camp Director, where she focuses on youth programming and hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, stewardship, and belonging in the outdoors. With a special interest in Michigan’s wetland ecosystems, Allie strives to make science accessible, engaging, and relevant for all audiences. She is actively involved with NAI through the Young Professional Council and the Great Lakes Region, supporting connection, leadership, and growth for emerging professionals in the field. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Allie joins NAI's Heather Manier and Madison Hyatt on this episode.

Grace Teofilo Hilker, CIG, is a Volunteer Manager in St. Louis, Missouri. She has her MA in American Studies from St. Louis University and holds a BA in History and Political Science with certificates in Gender & Women’s Studies and Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves hiking, traveling, cooking, playing music, and doing all of the above (not at the same time) with her family. She joins NAI's Heather Manier and Emily McCowan to talk about her article in the May/June 2026 issue of Legacy Magazine, which details her prior experience in food service and how that led her to a career in interpretation.

Brandi Stewart is a Space Science Outreach Coordinator for the Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership. Brandi grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved out west to complete an M. Ed. in environmental education and non-profit leadership through the North Cascades Institute's residency program. Brandi brings a background in place-based engagement, training development, and program management, primarily through their work with the National Park Service. Prior to joining the Earth to Sky team in November 2024, Brandi worked for the National Park Service for almost 14 years, as an educator and interpreter at parks such as Mount Rainier, Devils Postpile, Death Valley, and Grand Canyon.   Brandi discusses the recent Artemis II mission and interpretation of outer space with Heather Manier and Paul Caputo 

Jedda Foreman, Associate Director at the Lawrence Hall of Science, oversees a group focused on learning design and educational research and how insights from those efforts get translated into tools, services, products, and professional learning that build capacity for the STEM education field. In this role, Jedda works face-to-face with educators, school and county superintendents, executive directors, teachers, principals, communities of practice, and researchers and evaluators, across a variety of learning contexts. Her focus is on designing systems that center high-quality, equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant STEM learning experiences. She holds a B.A. from Carleton College, M.B.A. from California College of the Arts, and Graduate Certificate in Field Science and Place-Based Education from Teton Science Schools. Jedda joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo on this episode.

Richard Muñoz is the Coordinator of California Fish & Wildlife's "Fishing in the City" program and the Community Engagement Specialist for the department's North Central Region. Additionally, he received NAI's 2024 Meritorious Service Award, he is the chair of the 2026 NAI Conference in Oakland, and he represents NAI's Justice, Equity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Section in planning the Interpreting Environmental Justice Conference. He joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss his work on this episode. 

Dave Gustafson has served with the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks for 23 years as a law enforcement ranger, search-and-rescue professional, wildland firefighter, and interpreter. He teaches defensive tactics for the Boulder Police Department and teaches the National Association for Interpretation’s CIG course. Before joining Boulder, Dave worked for the National Park Service for nearly seven years. He joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Rhana Paris is a retired naturalist, non-formal educator and longtime member of NAI. She loves to talk about natural environments and the critters they support as well as solutions to challenging environmental problems. Rhana is known for goofy songs, storytelling, and stargazing programs. Time is now spent hiking, kayaking, crafting and traveling. She joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Kendra Raines is a nationally syndicated radio personality and award-winning voice actor with more than two decades of experience. Kendra recently earned her Certificate of Interpretive Guiding and applies interpretive principles to her work in radio and content creation. On this episode, she joins NAI's Madison Hyatt and Paul Caputo.

James "Jay" Gardner Harrison III is a descendant of two American Presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, as well as English colonists Harmon Harrison and his cousin John Rolfe, who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia, in the early 1600s. He works as a Community Programs Assistant with the Museum Learning & Programs department of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Jay has regularly portrayed James Monroe in first person since 1987, in over 300 living history programs mainly for the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Jay joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Chris Davis, Safety and Training Director at Pink Adventure Tours, brings a wealth of experience from the adventure tourism world. He joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss using interpretation to create safe, meaningful, and memorable experiences for visitors and for the interpreters who lead them.