Rika Ayotte, CEO

Full Resume

Skills Profile

• Eight years of experience in the Museum Field with an emphasis on Public Programs and Education

• Six years of experience in Conservation and Public Lands Partnership

• Seven years of Executive Level Non-profit Leadership

• Excellent writing and editing skills

• Three years professional consulting experience in organizational development and strategic planning

• Proficient in G-Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Social Media Administration, Zoom, Microsoft Teams

• Experience with Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Basecamp, Mailchimp, Wordpress and Squarespace

• Trained in evaluation, Strength-based and Challenge-quest leadership strategies

• Extensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training

Education

          2002-2006  UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON  Seattle, WA

            BA: History, American Indian Studies

•             Multiple Dean’s List Honore

2007-2010  JOHN F. KENNEDY UNIVERSITY  Berkeley, CA

MA: Museum Administration, MBA: Non-Profit Management

•             Awarded Kennedy Laureate Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Work History

 CEO,

 Forest Path Consulting

 2018 - Current

 Bend, OR

• 2018 – Partnership Plan Development for Carson National Forest and Bridger Teton National Forest

• 2019-2021 - Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Rogue Siskiyou Trails Coalition

• 2021 – Strategic Plan Facilitation for Cascade Volunteers and Public Lands Interpretive Association

• 2021 - Stakeholder Feedback and Board Training for Public Lands Interpretive Association

• 2021 - Staff Retreat Facilitation and Program Vision Development for Crocker Art Museum

• 2021 - Strategic Plan Facilitation for Beaver Institute

• 2022 - Fundraising Event Planning and Sponsorship Strategy for ReInvented Magazine's Space Gala

• 2023 - Five Bold Steps Strategic Visioning for Chrysler Art Museum Education Team

• 2024 - Strategic Plan facilitation for Discover Your Northwest

Executive Director,

Deschutes Land Trust

2021 - Current

Bend, OR

As Executive Director, my role is to oversee all aspects of operations including finance, conservation, stewardship, fundraising, and community outreach. 

• Led internal work of Equity Council, policies and action plan for staff and board council

• Facilitated strategic planning and policy revision

• Co-developed new slate of new and updated organizational policies with a focus on DEI, fiscal sustainability, staff satisfaction and retention

• Led organizational values development process

 Executive Director,

  Discover Your Forest

  2015 - 2021

  Bend, OR

  As Executive Director, my role is to oversee all aspects of operations including managing a staff of 15, fundraising, marketing, and events planning. Accomplishments include:

• Grew annual operating budget by over 400% by leveraging foundation and philanthropic funding streams.  Increased funds leveraged through agency partners by over 300%

• Introduced $50,000 annual event revenue stream through increased corporate sponsorship and on-site event earnings

• Led internal development of JEDAI statement, policies and action plan for staff and advisory council

• Facilitated annual strategic planning and policy revision

• Increased staff performance and secured funding for an additional 3 staff positions to increase capacity

• Introduced targeted fundraising campaigns resulting in over $100,000 in pledged donations

• Wrote and secured grants from federal, state and private funds totaling over $1,000,000 

• Redesigned and launched new website and increased web traffic and social media interaction by 200%

• Established charter for local Advisory Council and grew membership by 200%

• Convened and Developed Deschutes Trails Coalition and Ochoco Trails Organizations

• Co-Led the development of Vamanos Outside program to connect Latinx Communities to the outdoors

  Executive Director,

  Wood Memorial Library and Museum

  2014 - 2015

  South Windsor, CT

  As Executive Director, my role was to oversee all aspects of operations including fundraising, marketing, facilities      management, HR   and events planning . Accomplishments include:

• Increased overall museum attendance by over 40%, through strategic marketing efforts and program design

• Closed budget deficit through increased corporate sponsorship revenue and on-site event earnings

• Wrote successful proposals to secure consulting support for strategic planning and policy revision

• Increased staff performance and reduced staffing costs through strategic restructuring

• Designed and installed exhibitions focused on community contribution and engagement

• Renegotiated vendor contracts for significant annual savings 

• Redesigned and launched new website and increased web traffic and social media interaction by 200%

  Manager of Public Programs,

  Crocker Art Museum

  2011- 2014

  Sacramento, CA

  As Manager of Public Programs, my role was to develop, plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate a dynamic and progressive suite of interpretive programs for the general public, contributing to the Museum’s mission to explore the human experience through art.  Accomplishments include:

• Serving on an several interdepartmental teams responsible for installing, testing and designing the Museum's first ever permanent gallery interactive

• Increasing overall program attendance by over 20%, specifically in programs targeted toward young adults ages 21-45

• Introducing numerous new program series as well as building program partnerships with over 50 local organizations during my tenure

• Instituting grass-roots marketing campaigns for underserved audiences

• Co-writing several successful grant proposals including a 2014 IMLS National Leadership Grant for Museums

• Initiating new sponsorship models through partnerships with local businesses

BOARD SERVICE

Deschutes Trails Coalition, Chair

Global Leadership Adventures International Foundation

Bend Cultural Tourism Fund Commission, Chair

Children’s Forest of Central Oregon, Past President

South Windsor Arts Council, South Windsor Connecticut

Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento CA