WRI Announces change in leadership

The Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) announces the upcoming retirement of Carolyn Griffin-Bugert, WRI’s current Executive Director.

Under Carolyn’s leadership, WRI is thriving and growing. Carolyn says, “I absolutely love my job. It is therefore with very mixed emotions that I have decided to retire at the end of 2022. When I started as Interim Executive Director in January of 2019, my plan was to stay for three months. Little did I realize I would fall in love with this place and how much joy it would bring me!”

In Carolyn’s three and a half years at WRI, environmental education programs have expanded, serving more communities in a larger area. Carolyn’s vision and direction has enabled WRI to reach more students in North Central Washington, doubling the number of hours worked with students each year and changing the demographics of students served. With Carolyn’s help, and yours, WRI started an endowment fund which can continue to grow and provide resources into the future. It means more adults and students in the river, out exploring habitats, having discussions, and getting to experience nature.

Carolyn has given six-months’ notice to allow adequate time to find a great candidate and provide some overlap. She says her “passion for the job has not diminished. I will continue to work with the board and staff to move the organization forward while the board prepares for a change in leadership.”

WRI Board President, Laura Reichlin, says that “we will miss Carolyn greatly and thank her deeply. She gifts us with an amazing foundation, leaving us well-placed to take our next steps. She has many adventures that await, and we are delighted for her.”

The WRI Board of Directors have vowed to find WRI’s next leader intentionally and enthusiastically, while ensuring that they sustain and build on all that has been accomplished. Laura says, “it is exciting to think about the future – new opportunities and inspiring possibilities – both for our new leader and for WRI. This is a pivotal time and a moment of reflection for our organization.”

The WRI Team would like to thank you for your support of WRI and its mission to connect people, communities, and the natural world. The future looks bright!

The Executive Director position is expected to be posted by the end of August. When the position is posted, you can find details at: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/.