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(Manzanita, OR) – On behalf of the Lower Nehalem Community Trust, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Akdedian as Interim Executive Director. From walks on Neahkahnie Mountain as a toddler, to catching a first crab in the sparkling waters of Nehalem Bay, and now witnessing her children grow amongst the majesty of the temperate rainforest—Emily’s connection to the Nehalem region brought her to the Trust in 2022 when she joined us as Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Emily’s professional career has spanned non-profit education and environmental work across three continents where she has been involved in organizational development, project management, program design and implementation, as well as equity work in collaboration with communities in rural areas of Costa Rica and remote Pacific Islands. She has engaged and managed volunteers on our public lands as North Coast Stewardship Coordinator for Trailkeepers of Oregon, and during her time with the Trust has worked to connect our North Coast residents, visitors, and partners to place-based learning opportunities on our lands and in our region. She has also implemented various public relations strategies to build awareness and promote engagement in LNCT’s conservation work.
Emily holds an M.A. in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, an M.A. in International Affairs, and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology. Her knack for combining knowledge, wit, kindness, and valuing partnerships, diversity, and inclusion as central to a healthy environment and community, have proven to be tremendous strengths for her work at LNCT and for the network that she continues to build.
Emily will oversee day-to-day operations and provide staff supervision and project management oversight toward mission related obligations. While working with the Board during this time of transition, she will help lead strategic and fiscal year planning. Please join us in welcoming Emily to this new role and leadership in our continued journey to conserve land and nurture conservation values in partnership with an engaged community.
Emily can be reached at (503) 368-3203 or emilyakdedian@nehalemtrust.org.
