Dear Taylor and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation Team,

Throughout my career, I've been most drawn to work that helps people connect with places and things worth protecting. Photography, storytelling, and marketing have given me the opportunity to do that in many different ways, including four years helping share the mission of Bok Tower Gardens and, most recently, through forest conservation communications with Pacific Forest Trust. When I saw the opportunity to become Elkhorn Slough Foundation's Communications Manager, it felt like a natural intersection of that experience and my commitment to conservation.

At Bok Tower Gardens, I worked closely with the Director of Business Development to help guide digital communications strategy and content direction, with considerable independence in identifying stories, developing campaigns, and managing day-to-day communications. I collaborated with philanthropy, horticulture, education, and other departments to create content that supported the Gardens' broader goals. My work spanned writing, photography, video, social media, email, web, print, and live events, and helped drive significant audience growth. I also worked with outside designers and creative partners and coordinated media coverage and video productions.

My work with Pacific Forest Trust has allowed me to build on that experience in a setting focused specifically on land and forest conservation. Working closely with scientists, conservationists, stewardship staff, and organizational leadership, I've focused primarily on writing and editing, translating complex topics—including forest health, climate resilience, wildfire, conservation easements, restoration, and policy—into clear and engaging communications. I've also worked closely with the development team on donor communications, newsletters, annual reports, and other materials that help connect supporters to the impact of PFT's work. That experience has deepened both my understanding of conservation and my belief that strong communications starts with understanding the work and the people behind it.

What particularly interests me about this opportunity is the chance to take a broader leadership role in communications for an organization whose mission I believe in. I enjoy thinking about how the different pieces of an organization's communications fit together, from the stories being told to the goals those efforts support. The opportunity to help shape that direction at Elkhorn Slough Foundation, while supporting the people doing the important work of conservation, restoration, education, and philanthropy, is especially appealing to me.

The extraordinary natural landscapes of Monterey County were one of the main reasons my family and I chose to make this area our home. Elkhorn Slough is an important part of that landscape, both for its ecological significance and for the opportunities it provides to connect people with conservation. I've long believed that people protect what they care about, and that one of the most important roles of conservation communications is helping people develop that connection in the first place. A photograph, story, event, or conversation can help someone see a familiar landscape differently—and ultimately understand why protecting it matters.

I'd be excited to bring my experience in conservation communications, creative strategy, and cross-departmental collaboration to Elkhorn Slough Foundation, helping strengthen its communications and support the important work of protecting and restoring the slough and its watershed.

Thank you for your consideration,

Keith Novosel
keith.novosel@gmail.com

Symphony on the Sandhill (writing sample)

Bok Tower Gardens—Video production, filming, and editing for the philanthropy dept.

Experience

Pacific Forest Trust—Science Communications and Content Manager

March 2026 - October 2026

  • Lead content development and communications across digital, print, and media channels.

  • Translate complex conservation and science-based topics into clear, accessible stories for newsletters, annual reports, donor communications, and other materials.

  • Manage website content, email communications, and digital publishing systems.

  • Collaborate with scientists, conservation and stewardship staff, philanthropy, leadership, and external communications partners to support consistent messaging across programs and outreach.

"Keith has been an asset to Pacific Forest Trust, combining technical skill, creativity, and a deep commitment to conservation to strengthen our communications. His professionalism, initiative, and ability to produce engaging content—from our Forest Flash newsletters to annual report articles and website improvements—have made a meaningful impact in a short time.” —Laurie Wayburn, President and Co-founder

Bok Tower Gardens—Social Media Coordinator and Content Creator

2021 - 2025

  • Worked closely with the Director of Business Development in a small marketing team, helping guide digital communications strategy and content direction.

  • Led social and digital marketing efforts across platforms, including planning, content creation, and execution.

  • Collaborated with executive leadership and departments including philanthropy, membership, horticulture, and education to support organizational goals.

  • Increased organic Facebook reach by 225% and Instagram reach by 100% through consistent storytelling and visual strategy.

  • Grew the Gardens' Facebook audience by more than 25,000 followers over four years, with additional growth across other platforms.

  • Coordinated media coverage, video productions, and outside creative partners, including designers and filmmakers.

  • Produced photography, video, livestreams, and written content for campaigns, events, fundraising, and institutional storytelling.

  • Helped modernize and unify the organization's visual identity across digital and print channels.

  • Built and maintained a centralized photo and video library used across the organization.

“Keith is extremely respected by his peers and many departments depend upon his creative skills to accomplish their goals. He has consistently provided strong content that has increased our brand awareness. Keith projects self-confidence, authority, and enthusiasm for new tasks and responsibilities. His positivity is very much appreciated and he is a strong team member.” —Erica Smith, Director of Business Development

Keith Novosel Photography and Marketing—Founder and Photographer

2006-Present

  • Serve a variety of individuals and businesses to direct and create images, content, and marketing materials to help define their culture and grow their audience.

  • Build and maintain a website (www.keithnovosel.com) to promote my brand and images.

  • Published in magazines in the US and abroad, including several cover shots and articles.

  • Some clients include Howler Bros, Hurley, Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, Shoot for a Cure, Pilcher Property Services, Eidon, and Moment Surf Company.

"Keith’s photography is organic and unfeigned. His work breathes an elegant sincerity and simplicity that I find refreshing and inspiring." —Nathan Oldfield, Photographer/Filmmaker

S&P USA Ventilation Systems, LLC —Marketing and Sales Specialist 

December 2014 – 2019

  • Supported marketing and sales operations across product launches, campaigns, and customer communications

  • Created visual content for product catalogs, instructions, and marketing materials

  • Managed email marketing, brochures, flyers, and social media content

  • Worked with regional sales teams to support customer engagement and communication

“Keith joined S&P as a Marketing assistant to help group our marketing efforts and he quickly learned both new software programs and our product line. When our company was experiencing customer service issues,  Keith stepped up to a new role to help our sales team better support our reps and customers. Keith’s diligence and calm demeanor helped get our support back to a high level. His work was praised by both internal and external stakeholders.” —Leigh Carpenter, Marketing Manager

Lensbaby—Digital Marketing Specialist, Trade Show Representative, Production Team Member

2011-2014

  • Managed digital advertising campaigns, social media, and content strategy

  • Developed partnerships with photographers, influencers, and industry collaborators

  • Supported A/B testing and campaign optimization across digital channels

  • Identified inefficiencies in paid advertising strategy, reducing waste by approximately $100,000 annually

  • Represented brand at major national trade shows and industry events

  • Collaborated with marketing and product teams on messaging and creative direction

“Keith was a dependable, dedicated, unflappable and personable employee who was consistently willing to take on special projects utilizing his unique creative abilities. His work consistently exhibited effort above and beyond the expectations of his position.” —Craig Strong, Chief Creative Officer, Co-Founder 

Es-cent-ial Wetsuits—Creative Assistant, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing

2008-2010

  • Supported early brand identity through photography, video, and storytelling

  • Built and maintained e-commerce website and product marketing materials

  • Worked with athletes and wholesalers to promote the brand

"Keith has been the driving force behind the creation of the Es-cent-ial ‘look’. Keith is one of the few that puts his heart and soul into bettering Es-cent-ial as a whole.” —Carl Keever (Founder)

EDUCATION

Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA

Bachelor of Business Administration | Magna Cum Laude