We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vicki Nichols Goldstein. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vicki Nichols below.
Vicki Nichols, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
When I moved to Colorado over 12 years ago, I was looking for an organization to join that addressed ocean health. I was certain that there would be one someplace. I was wrong. After searching for over a year and not finding what I was looking for, I decided it was time to start my own organization that engaged inland people with ocean conservation opportunities. I knew that the ocean was important to everyone, not just coastal folks, and I felt that with our ocean in trouble, it should be all hands on deck.
I started the Colorado Ocean Coalition in 2011 and brought in a number of speakers from around the country addressing some element of the ocean – filmmaking, art, research, writing, etc. to be part of Making Waves, a multiple-day event open to the public. From there I started a volunteer training program called Inland Ocean Ambassadors. From there we engaged people from around the nation and started supporting chapters. In 2017 we rebranded to become the Inland Ocean Coalition with volunteers in 26 different states and 16 chapters.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because I love the ocean and I figured there were others like me living inland. I felt that I could succeed in this because I founded and started other ocean-oriented non-profits, so it was not completely foreign to me. Most importantly, I felt a calling to start it and I listened to my heart and got to work.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I have been working for ocean protection and conservation throughout my life. Growing up near the mudflats of Southern NJ and later hauling whale bones around New England, my experiences illustrated to me the critical need for broad engagement around marine conservation issues.
I earned a Master’s degree in environmental studies and marine policy from Yale University. After graduating I worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where I developed oil spill contingency plans, co-wrote the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Designation documents, and served as NOAA liaison to the California Sanctuary sites.
For 10 years, I was the Executive Director of the marine advocacy organization Save Our Shores. I also served on several state, national and international councils and working groups.
After moving to Colorado and finding no ocean conservation organizations, I used my experience and love of the ocean to found the Colorado Ocean Coalition which later became the Inland Ocean Coalition – an inland movement that builds land to sea stewardship.
I truly believe that people throughout the country have a stake in protecting the ocean and I want to provide opportunities for them to be successful.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I was trying to figure out what to do after moving to Colorado, I volunteered with an organization. The environment and climate change were a huge interest of mine and I wanted to be engaged with other like-minded people addressing important issues. After meeting with the Director, we decided that I would take a leadership role and create a new initiative focused on climate education and climate impacts on the land, sea, air, and people.
I wrote a summary of the new goals and how this could be implemented. It covered the problem, steps that could be taken, and a strategy for moving forward. We then held the in-person meeting with other volunteers,
During that meeting I was not acknowledged, nor was I mentioned as the author of the document we were all discussing. I was struck by the arrogance of the Director for taking full credit. As I was sitting there, I thought if I am going to put in a lot of work for our planet via an organization, then I don’t want to do it under his umbrella, I would create my own. A few months later, the concept of the Colorado Ocean Coalition was formed and I launched it.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I am a true believer that in order to be a good leader/manager that you have to share both responsibilities and successes. I lead my team by giving them a lot of freedom to express their concerns, questions, and priorities. I try to keep an open door to address issues both privately and in staff meetings. I use the shared leadership model that prioritizes a positive team approach and in my experience, this has proved to be key to staff engagement and satisfaction. This approach consists of creating an environment that has a shared purpose, social support, and gives everyone a voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inlandoceancoalition.org/
- Instagram: inlandoceancoalition
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inlandoceancoalition
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27156457/admin/
- Twitter: @InlandOceanCo
Image Credits
Christine Evans