Note from the Chief Executive Officer
Friends,
I am thrilled and honored to write to you as the Sonoran Institute's new chief executive. For the past 19 years, my career has focused on land and natural resource issues in Arizona, so I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Luther and following the Institute's work since its early days. When the opportunity came to lead an organization that I respect so much and whose ideals align so closely with my own, I jumped at it. After all, this job only seems to open up once every two decades!
Over the last month, I have begun visiting Institute employees and offices across the West and in Mexico. My goal is to listen and learn, and to test and sharpen the ideas I have about the Institute's future.
Initial impressions? Our employees are amazing people doing amazing work. The passion and dedication of our all-star staff is truly awe inspiring. Our projects are rich and meaningful, our funders are committed, and the exceptional people serving on our board would be the envy of any large entity, public or private. And, if you want to see how far a nonprofit dollar can be stretched and how dramatic conservation work can be, visit our Colorado River Delta restoration areas. Witnessing the transformation taking place there -one lovingly nurtured cottonwood seedling at a time-was a life-changing experience for me.
There is still much to learn, but the more I know about the Institute, the more one thing becomes absolutely clear: the torch that Luther passed to me is fully ablaze and burning bright.
Thank you for supporting us and for being a partner in the vital work we do. I look forward to learning from you as well and finding new ways for you to engage with the Sonoran Institute.
Sincerely,
Maria Baier
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