2025 ANCA Annual Summit: Impact Report
The Summit may be over, but the impact is just beginning. We’re proud to share the impact of the 2025 ANCA Annual Summit, held at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, CA.
More than 125 leaders gathered, and the results speak volumes: 94% say the Summit strengthened their organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.
The professionals are returning to work with new ideas, skills, and connections. This has a significant ripple effect — based on the data from our evaluation, we estimate that Summit participants’ organizations collectively:
- Serve over 9 million visitors annually
- Provide programs for over 1 million K-12 students annually
- Protect over 300,000 acres of land
All this combined, the Summit majorly contributes to healthier communities and a more sustainable future. See the full report here.
ANCA Earns Credential in Fundraising
ANCA recently earned the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) credential badge in fundraising and development, demonstrating that we are dedicated to best practices in our fundraising.
To earn this badge, ANCA Director of Marketing & Communications Asa Duffee attended a two-day intensive training. Following the training, we submitted content for a communications expert to review, including our development policies and samples of ANCA fundraising. Asa also met one-on-one with the credential facilitator to discuss ANCA's unique fundraising position as a national capacity-building organization.
UNA offers nine credentials for nonprofits to strengthen operations and demonstrate commitment to organizational excellence. ANCA has previously earned the UNA credential badges in advocacy and civic engagement, marketing and communications, and human resources.
Updates to the ANCA Board of Directors
ANCA’s Fiscal Year began July 1, and the new fiscal year brought updates to the Board of Directors.
We have multiple changes in Board officers, and we thank two departing members for their contributions to our organization.
Officer Changes
Kristin Smith, Supervisor of the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, Washington, has completed her two-year term as Board President. We thank Kristin for her leadership these past two years, and are grateful for her continued service on the Board for the next year as Past President.
Thank you, Kristin, for your outstanding leadership during your term as ANCA President. I’ve been especially impressed by your ability to listen deeply in complex situations, bring clarity and direction, and inspire others to move forward with purpose.
— Jen Levy, ANCA Executive Director
We welcome John Myers, Executive Director of Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, into the role of Board President. John has served on the Board since 2019, including two years of service as Treasurer. John is the 2016 recipient of the ANCA Outstanding New Leader Award.
Kay Carlson, Retired President & CEO of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in Cleveland, Ohio, steps into the role of Secretary, previously filled by departing Board member Kitty Pochman.
Bryan Wood, Executive Director at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, Minnesota, steps into the role of Treasurer, previously filled by departing Board member Jason Sanders.
Departing Board MembersKitty Pochman, Executive Director of the Linda Loring Nature Foundation in Nantucket, Massachusetts, departs the ANCA Board after nine years of service, including two years as Board President and two years as Secretary. Kitty has also served on the Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Development Committee, and the Leadership Awards Committee. We deeply thank Kitty for her leadership within ANCA and our field more broadly.
Thank you, Kitty, for your nine years of dedicated service on the ANCA Board and for your instrumental contributions to our development committee. Your generosity, wisdom, and mentorship have made a lasting impact on our organization and inspired so many in our community.
— Jen Levy, ANCA Executive Director
Jason Sanders, former Executive Director at Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Minnesota, departs the ANCA Board after two years of service, including one year as Treasurer. Jason has served on the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee. We are grateful to Jason for his contributions to ANCA and our profession, and wish him well on his new professional endeavors.
Thank you, Jason, for your service on the ANCA Board and for stepping into the role of Treasurer during your tenure. Your financial expertise and perspective from your time at Dodge Nature Center were valuable assets to the organization, and we wish you all the best in your new role.
— Jen Levy, ANCA Executive Director
About the Board
The Board supports ANCA's work and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. We welcome ANCA members to express interest in joining the Board of Directors and/or a Committee of the Board using this interest form.
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