who we are

Team at Partners

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2004 to protect and preserve Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Meet our team members below, and feel free to reach out to any of us for questions about our programs, or other ways you can get involved.

You can also visit us at our headquarters in Escalante for more information about the Monument and how to visit with respect.

Team for Grand Staircase Escalante Partners
Jackie Grant (she/her), Executive Director

Jackie Grant (she/her), Executive Director

Jackie@gsenm.org

Jackie is an experienced project manager, museum curator, botanist, educator, and environmental scientist with expertise in the Seeds of Success protocol and native plant biology in the American Southwest. She is an accomplished scientist and fundraiser who has built international collaborations with diverse colleagues to complete complex studies and projects. Jackie is skilled in using her deep understanding of scientific study design, inference, and communication skills to translate intricate topics to the general public, legislators, and other stakeholders.

Sherry Robinson (she/her), Operations Manager

Sherry Robinson (she/her), Operations Manager

admin@gsenm.org

Sherry has been with Partners since 2015. She joined us with more than 20 years of experience in administration, bookkeeping, and managing office operations, primarily in public schools.  

Sherry has lived most of her life in the small town of Monticello, Utah, at the base of the Abajo Mountains and at the center of the Colorado Plateau. Her family has lived in the Four Corners area for nearly 100 years. During her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, cool mountain air, and any kind of adventure with her family.

Kaitlin Martin (she/her), Stewardship Programs Manager

Kaitlin Martin (she/her), Stewardship Programs Manager

kaitlin@gsenm.org

Kaitlin was born and raised in the big sky country of Montana, where she also attended college studying Natural Resource Conservation. She grew up spending vacations with her parents exploring the canyon country of the desert southwest.

Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana, Kaitlin quickly moved south. She spent the last six years working throughout Utah conducting extensive aquatic sampling and monitoring, while also developing ways to better present and use data for public land management. She is excited to find ways to help educate and involve everyone in protecting the Grand Staircase.

Whether exploring the Rocky Mountains or navigating the deep canyons of Southern Utah, Kaitlin’s passion lies in protecting and appreciating our public lands.

Kevin Berend, Conservation Programs Manager

Kevin Berend, Conservation Programs Manager

kevin@gsenm.org

Kevin Berend is an environmental scientist from Rochester, New York. He received his MS in Environmental Science & Ecology from SUNY Brockport, where he studied alpine snowbank communities on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. His work has taken him to the Adirondacks, the Appalachian Trail, northwestern Colorado, and back to western NY, where he has experience with grassland birds, aquatic invasive species, and wetland delineation. In his spare time, Kevin writes about science and nature and enjoys hiking, cycling, and playing guitar.

Alex Engel (he/him), Restoration Field Staff Supervisor

Alex Engel (he/him), Restoration Field Staff Supervisor

field_supervisor@gsenm.org

Alex received a civil engineering degree from UW-Milwaukee in 2011, but couldn’t handle the thought of being stuck behind a desk for the rest of his life.

Instead, he joined a conservation corps so that he could work outdoors. Alex first came to Escalante in 2013 with Arizona Conservation Corps to treat Russian olive with ERWP.

He is very happy to be working in such a beautiful country.

Kristen Buck, Volunteer Programs Manager

Kristen Buck, Volunteer Programs Manager

Kristen@gsenm.org

Kristen was born and raised in the southwest, attending college in Arizona, where she found a love of life sciences and majored in Human Development. Adventure was calling and she decided to spend 2 years in Africa where she served for the Peace Corps as a Community Health Educator and learned about the dynamics of people and their environment. She quickly found an interest in education and upon her return to the United States, she began teaching which ultimately led her to her passion in outdoor education and conservation.

Her backcountry career began with the Student Conservation Association working in remote areas of the Canyonlands National Park before transitioning to the Grand Staircase Escalante Partnership as a Field technician and Education Coordinator for 2 seasons. She returned to the Park Service for 7 seasons working for the Maze District and Glen Canyon NRA where she cultivated a leadership role in training and education. During that period, Kristen returned to Escalante often to spend time with the community and landscape she had come to cherish.
When work duties are not calling, Kristen enjoys exploring creativity in the geography and rich history of the area, taking a walk about with her god dogs and lending a hand to help with projects around the community.
They say there must always be a sacrifice in the place you live, the work you do and the friendships you create, but Kristen feels truly fortunate to have found a home where all of these basic needs are not only fulfilled but continue to inspire and amaze her.
Victor Coulon, Volunteer Coordinator

Victor Coulon, Volunteer Coordinator

Victor@gsenm.org

Victor was born and raised in a small village in France, nestled between ranches, vineyards, and castles. After high school, he worked various jobs until he immigrated to the USA in search of better opportunities.

He first visited the Colorado Plateau and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in 2012 and was instantly captivated by it. As his fascination grew over the years, he decided to give back to the land in the spring of 2023 by joining a stewardship project. The experience ignited a desire to contribute more significantly, and profoundly reshaped his career aspirations.

Victor is excited about working with the community and volunteers for the benefit of this special place.

Adrian Canilho-Burke, Field Technician

Adrian Canilho-Burke, Field Technician

field_tech@gsenm.org

Adrian was born in Missouri, but grew up in Wisconsin. He graduated from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in 2015 with degrees in Spanish and Democracy & Justice Studies.  Since then, he has worked all over the United States in the private, public, and social sectors. He has lived in Escalante seasonally since 2021. Adrian speaks 3 languages, has dual-citizenship, and is the only person in the country with his full name. He’s proud of his service to land and community.

Work with Us

Verified by MonsterInsights