ANCA’s Fiscal Year begins July 1, and the new fiscal year brings 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 Members
Kitty 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.
We invite all ANCA members to meet Board members in person at the 2025 ANCA Annual Summit, August 25-29 at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, California.
ANCA Board and Staff members at the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit.