Announcing Our New Executive Director

By DNDA Admin | November 25, 2014

Merica Whitehall (left) and Nancy Whitlock (right)

The past year has been a year of transition for Nature Consortium. It was a year ago that I initially took leave of my position as Executive Director. I enjoyed a wonderful break and had time for more family-based and self-reflective activities. The staff continued carrying forward the mission while encountering a few bumps in the road. In late summer I was invited to come back on an interim basis while a new leadership search was undertaken.

The organization spent 4-months networking in the community and working with a search firm to find just the right fit. I am beyond thrilled that we have chosen Merica Whitehall (pronounced like Teresa with an “M”) to lead the organization into our next chapter! She brings a wonderful blend of warmth, professionalism and passion that I immediately connected with. Merica possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience from her work at Seattle University and with many other local nonprofits. I know that our staff, board, volunteers, and supporters will be in good hands, which is my greatest hope as the founder.

I’m also very excited that I’ll be collaborating with Merica during her first 90 days to help her acclimate to the day-to-day business operations of the organization and to make introductions in the community. If you’d like to set up a time to meet Merica after she starts in mid-December, give us a call at the office or send me an email. Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your continued support of our work and mission!

– Nancy Whitlock, Founder

Join us as we leap to new heights.

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A Message from Our New Director

I’m thrilled to be the new executive director at such an amazing organization. Nature Consortium’s mission to connect people, arts and nature resonates with my professional passion for building community and promoting social justice. What better way to do this than through engaging the minds and bodies of community members to become stewards and advocates for our city’s urban forests; inspiring creativity and nurturing environmental awareness in youth through the arts; and bringing it all together with a celebration of community, art and nature at a funky and eclectic outdoor arts festival.

In the coming year, I plan to become better acquainted with the Nature Consortium community. I look forward to learning even more about how Nature Consortium is having a positive impact in our city and in our community. My goal is to contribute to extending and deepening those positive impacts through the exercise of sound leadership, effective planning, and meaningful collaboration. During this transition in leadership, I also look forward to collaborating with Nature Consortium’s dynamic founder, Nancy Whitlock, on a number of projects including the 2015 Arts in Nature Festival.

Nature Consortium is committed to building community internally as it builds community externally. In this past year Nature Consortium has acquired renewed energy and enthusiasm from several new board and staff members. I am filled with a great sense of possibility as I enter into this exciting new endeavor. I am one among a talented team. Nature Consortium is firmly established and poised for a promising future.

– Merica Whitehall, incoming Executive Director

Join us as we leap to new heights.