Denise Berkshire

Statewide Leadership & Policy Development

• Provide strategic direction for the Interpretation & Education (IE) Program, shaping statewide education, outreach, and recreation policy.
• Lead long‑range planning, operational framework development, and systems alignment across three work units.
• Reviewed and recommended revisions to OARs, program policies, fee structures, and operational procedures, enhancing revenue generation, compliance, and public access.

Program Evaluation & Organizational Improvement

• Established annual Fiscal Year Operating Plans and performance measures; evaluated program effectiveness, visitor use trends, and operational outcomes to drive strategic improvements.
• Oversee development of evaluation tools, data collection systems, and evidence‑based improvements to curriculum, programming, and visitor services.
• Implement visitor use tracking systems to inform future site needs, revenue strategies, and service delivery.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervised eight full‑time staff and up to 10 volunteers; led recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and performance management, fostering a high-functioning team environment.
• Reopened the Center after a three‑year closure, rebuilding operations, staffing, and public services.

Cross‑Agency & Community Partnerships

• Maintain partnerships with tribal nations, universities, state agencies (OPRD, OSU, OFRI, ODFW), tourism organizations, and community groups.
• Oversee bilingual communication strategies and secure the agency’s first bilingual differential position to expand access for Latino communities

Budget & Operations Management

• Manage a $1.5M biennial budget; oversee procurement, contracts, fiscal accountability, and compliance with DAS, Treasury, and HR policies.
• Direct facility operations, safety compliance, capital improvement planning, and infrastructure management across multiple sites.
• Directe strategic planning, budget development, program evaluation, and community engagement.
• Oversaw grants, capital projects, and a $500,000 HVAC replacement project.

Statewide Program Development & Evaluation

• Led statewide interpretive and education services grounded in Next Generation Science Standrads and Tribal History/Shared History evidence‑based practices.
• Developed evaluation tools, analyzed program data, and recommended improvements to statewide IE programs.
• Created curriculum interpreting laws, rules, and policies related to forestry, natural resources, and environmental education.

Policy & Systems Alignment

• Provided technical content for statewide policy development, including the Habitat Conservation Plan and Forest Management Plan.
• Coordinated cross‑state agency projects with and others to align statewide forestry education and stewardship initiatives.

Equity & Access

• Designed sliding‑scale fee policies to increase access for low‑income school districts.
• Delivered programs supporting underserved and underrepresented communities; facilitated JEDAI‑centered trainings.

Partnerships & Outreach

• Represented the agency on statewide committees; collaborated with tribal nations, universities, and community organizations.
• Served as guest professor for Hokkaidō University’s international summer institute.