Board Expansion Brings New Perspectives, Skills and Ideas
In 2025, NCLC implemented a deliberate and conscientious plan to expand its board of directors, adding five new members who bring a diversity of professional and personal backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The new board members, who attended their first board meeting in April, include Harout Akdedian, Narayan Elasmar, Lisa Heigh, Ryan James, and Hugh Morrison.
According to Executive Director Katie Voelke, the land conservancy has benefited from a strong and stable board for many years. Some of the current members have served for more than a decade. “With deep engagement and wisdom from board members, along with the support of our community members, we’ve achieved great things for local conservation, together,” she says. That wisdom, she adds, guided NCLC’s decision to implement term limits and expand board membership.
NCLC welcomed any and all members of the North Coast communities and beyond to apply, sharing far and wide about this goal to expand the board. After a rigorous open application and selection process, the organization brought on five individuals who bring “a wonderful infusion of diverse perspectives to our critical work of local conservation,” Katie says. Read More