Growing up in Oregon, Darla learned about living sustainably from her father, who started a residential solar energy company in the 1970s. When not outdoors exploring the Pacific Northwest, Darla spent her early career working in network and community television, from producer and director roles to station manager. Landing on Maui as a young adult, she extended her passion for the outdoor environment by learning to sail and scuba dive, studying and publishing articles about the area’s history and culture. Darla has held notable business roles, including consulting on and managing several significant startups, providing change management services and company revitalization projects in Hawaii and U.S. mainland. She has been the communications lead in the private and nonprofit sectors, with strong community and government collaboration. Darla also designs websites and provides content for the web, social and traditional media, including publishing articles on new technology.

​

In the past few years, Darla merged her professional communication skills with her passion for renewable energy and climate crisis awareness. She completed an intensive Climate Reality Leadership Training with former Vice President Al Gore; Became a founding director for a citizen’s advisory committee that supports the County of Maui Climate Action Resiliency and Environment committee; and, Produces and hosts a statewide public affairs radio program on environmental topics. Darla holds degrees in media production and engineering, and has B.A. in Professional Communications with a minor in Environmental Studies. She lives with her husband and Labrador retriever on a small farm on the edge of the rainforest in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii.

​