Dominique Naccarato is stepping down from her executive director position after serving The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) for ten years. She has accepted a position as remote faculty at Western Colorado University, as a lecturer and manager of the Integrated Public Lands Management track of Western’s Master’s in Environmental Management program.
This means that GARNA is beginning recruitment for its next executive director who will be responsible for executing the organization’s strategic plan, overseeing existing staff and programs, and leading GARNA through its next phases of evolution.
Dominique Naccarato, who is stepping down as GARNA ED to accept a new higher education position, also represents the residents of Salida City Council Ward 1. Courtesy image.
“I am proud to have been a part of GARNA’s growth over the past decade and I am excited to see how the organization will continue to deepen its impacts in the future,” said Naccarato.
As a nonprofit operating throughout the Upper Arkansas Valley of central Colorado, GARNA is driven by its mission to provide meaningful environmental education, and promote public lands volunteer stewardship, sustainability, and heritage, and to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion on public lands.
Under Naccarato’s leadership, GARNA has doubled its staff, tripled its budget, and become a leader for environmental conservation, stewardship, and community throughout the Upper Arkansas Valley region.
“Working at GARNA has changed the course of my life, teaching me about everything from public lands management to nonprofit management to waste diversion,” said Naccarato. “I wouldn’t be taking this next step without having started at GARNA as an Americorps VISTA back in 2013. I’m incredibly grateful to the GARNA community, including the Board, staff, volunteers, and members. I’m appreciative that I’ll still be part of the Upper Arkansas Valley community and remain living in Salida.”
“I speak on behalf of the whole GARNA Board in congratulating Dominique on this exciting change in her professional path. We have seen GARNA programs bloom under her vision and we have realized meaningful maturation within the organization during her tenure,” said GARNA Board chair, Beth Helmke. “The foundation on which Dominique’s successor will stand is so strong and vast, and a credit to her many years of deep dedication to GARNA and its community. We are excited to welcome in a new leader for GARNA who can keep us moving in this positive direction.”
Helmke encourages GARNA members and supporters to join the GARNA Board in celebrating Dominique and her leadership legacy at GARNA’s Boogie on the Beach annual gala event on Thursday, August 24.
The Executive Director position reports to the GARNA Board of Directors and is an exempt full-time and salaried job with generous benefits. Interested candidates can find the full job description and more information about GARNA at GARNA.org. A review of the first round of applicants will begin on Monday, July 17. To apply, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter to Board Chair Beth Helmke at ebethhelmke@gmail.com.
GARNA was established in 1996 as a friends group to the local land management agencies, GARNA has grown into a thriving organization over its 27-year history, supported by a six-person staff delivering robust programs, a committed Board of Directors, over 200 hard-working volunteers and more than 600 supporting members. GARNA works in close collaboration with dozens of community partner organizations, including local governments, schools, other non-profits, and public land management agencies.
Recent Comments