R. KENYATTA ROWEL, JR., XMNR
Annapolis, MD ***** 443-***-**** ***********@*****.***
SUMMARY
Maryland State Commissioner serving on two state commissions and contributing to the City of Annapolis's partnership with the Maryland Environmental Finance Center to support resilience planning for Maryland communities. CEO and Founder of Breaking Boundaries Environmental LLC. First person of color to chair the City of Annapolis Environmental Commission. Over 10 years of experience in executive natural resource management, specializing in program implementation, grant writing, public speaking, facilitation, and environmental justice. Collaborated with state, county, and federal agencies, demonstrating strategic leadership in environmental justice and education, along with fostering innovative partnerships. Holds a Master's degree in Executive Management of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor's degree in African American Studies from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU. Former Division I collegiate athlete in basketball and semi-professional basketball player in the NBA D-League for the Maryland Marvels. Published author since age 15, with two books completed and additional works in progress. SKILLS
• Program Management
• Project Management
• Grant Writing
• Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)
• Training and Facilitation
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Justice Advocacy
• Public Speaking and Facilitation
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration
• Community Engagement Strategies
• Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
• Curriculum Design and Instruction
• Water Quality and Sustainability
Research
• Stakeholder Relationship Building
• Budget and Resource Management
EXPERIENCE
01/2021 - 08/2024 Program Coordinator
Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) - Edgewater, MD The Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific research, education, and policy efforts related to the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding ecosystem.
• Led the implementation of the C-StREAM program, driving its development, improvement, and evaluation to align with guiding principles and best practices.
• Designed and delivered training for a diverse group of future leaders in environmental research, restoration, and protection, fostering their growth through multi-year mentored engagement experiences.
• Directed all operations of the C-StREAM program, providing students with impactful summer internship opportunities that bridge actionable science with management and policy applications.
• Cultivated and strengthened relationships with diverse stakeholders to support program goals and outreach efforts.
• Managed and tracked budgets for three grants from the EPA, NSF, and NOAA. 08/2017 - 06/2021 Science and Math Teacher
Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Annapolis, MD
• Designed and delivered engaging curriculum and assessments for math and science courses, ensuring alignment with educational standards and fostering student achievement.
• Set clear goals and objectives for the school improvement plan, prepared and evaluated assessments, and meticulously documented student performance and progress.
• Employed diverse instructional strategies, including lectures, group discussions, demonstrations, modeling, and multimedia tools, to accommodate various learning styles and enhance classroom engagement.
• Certified in project-based learning through Earth Force; led the after-school
"Service and Action" Environmental Justice program, guiding students in the creation of an "Environmental Justice Garden" and teaching a summer bridge program, "How is it Growing: An Introduction to Global Agricultural Sustainability."
• Built strong relationships with diverse student populations and community stakeholders, effectively addressing priority audiences and fostering inclusive learning environments.
01/2016 - 12/2018 Diversity and Inclusion Director Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Annapolis, MD
• Cultivated and maintained strong partnerships with diverse community organizations, enhancing recruitment outreach activities and expanding the department's engagement efforts.
• Tracked and analyzed employment statistics to evaluate departmental progress, informing strategies for improved outcomes and program development.
• Implemented the agency's first-ever Bilingual Assessment Tool and launched the HBCU Internship Program, promoting inclusivity and providing opportunities for underrepresented communities.
08/2016 - 06/2017 Research Assistant
Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA
• Repaired, maintained, and resolved issues with globally implemented strategies, ensuring their effectiveness and adaptability across diverse regions.
• Collaborated with the King of India, the Maharajah, and local and state officials to gather data for a comprehensive case study on water quality and water scarcity.
• Analyzed the impact of culturally appropriate interventions to conceptualize, framework, and author an environmental and community capacity-building case study.
• Fostered strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including priority audiences, to support effective data collection and community engagement. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Master of Science: Executive Masters of Natural Resources- XMNR Virginia Polytechnic And State University - Blacksburg, VA Bachelor of Science: Social Sciences
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore - Princess Anne, MD Certification: Stormwater Management
Master Watershed Academy – Watershed Stewards Academy - Millersville, MD PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• 30th Annual Land Conservation Conference in Annapolis MD October 2023
• Alliance of the Chesapeake Bay's Annual Watershed Forum, November 2022
• Alliance of the Chesapeake Bay's HBCU Green Environmental Career Panel, Coppin State University and Bowie State University, 2022, 2023
• Chesapeake Community Modeling Program, Steering Committee member, 2021 – present
• St. Margaret's Church Coffee Hour Chat, 2023
• Mayor Buckley's Earth Day Brown Bag Virtual Environmental Careers Panel, 2021
• Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education Annual Conference, Ocean City Maryland 2020
WEBSITES, PORTFOLIOS, PROFILES
• https://www.bayjournal.com/podcasts/3-randy-rowel/audio_fb3c3ddc-bca6- 11ee-a717-33a10044180c.html
• https://breakingboundariesenv.com/
• https://www.bayjournal.com/news/people/mentor-businessman-aims-to-boost- diversity-in-green-fields/article_66eeb3bc-c9c6-11ee-8367-cf4e52810705.html
• https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/03/20/first-black-chair-of-annapolis- environmental-commission-pushing-for-more-equity-justice-in-environmental-field/ BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
• City of Annapolis Environmental Commission, Chair (2020 – 2022)
• Maryland Department of Environment’s Blue and Green Legislation and Policy Commission (2022 – Present)
• Governor Wes Moore’s Interstate Potomac River Basin Commission (2022 - Present)
• Banneker Douglass Museum Board of Directors (2011 – 2015)
• Wild Kid Acres Board Member (2019 – 2022)