
After 10 years at Southwest Initiative Foundation, Program Officer Cheryl Glaeser is leaving to pursue an exciting new opportunity.
Cheryl has accepted a position as Senior Associate with the Institute for Conservation Leadership (ICL) where she will manage and lead one of their intensive leadership development programs as well as provide coordinated consulting, facilitation, and coaching services within specific initiatives that build effective organizations and collaborative entities working on environmental and conservation initiatives. ICL is based in Washington, D.C., and Cheryl will be able to work remotely and travel to her work with organizations across the country.
“I will forever be grateful for the many amazing opportunities I’ve experienced and for the wonderful people of southwest Minnesota I have worked with through SWIF,” Cheryl said. “Being part of meaningful work, work that has truly prepared me to accept this exciting new endeavor, is something I will always cherish. This new endeavor allows me to align my passions and strengths to continue to do meaningful work. Thank you to everyone at the foundation and in our region for helping me grow personally and professionally.”
While at SWIF, Cheryl held a number of roles, including leading our work in renewable energy through the statewide Rural Energy Development Initiative (REDI) and Youth Energy Summit (YES!). Most recently, she worked in development, building relationships with Growing Home Circle donors and county and city leaders. She also facilitated regional workforce conversations, and led the fall Workforce Summit.
This opportunity will allow Cheryl to align her passions for leadership development and the environment with her strengths in program management, facilitation, training, and building collaborative networks.
“We are excited for Cheryl personally as she takes this amazing opportunity and are grateful for her impact on Southwest Initiative Foundation and our region,” said President/CEO Diana Anderson. “She will be deeply missed and her departure will be felt by the entire team. As with any transition, we’ll take time to evaluate our current situation before making staffing decisions.”
If you’d like to wish Cheryl well, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.