It is with some sadness and a great deal of appreciation that we bid farewell to our Membership Program Director, Serena Bishop Gordon. Serena joined The Conservation Alliance staff in 2010, back when there were only two of us. At the time, Serena was a Swiss Army Knife, managing our membership program and the day-to-day operations of our grant program. She also played a key role in all of our events, and helped solidify our Backyard Collective program as the strong initiative that it is today. Over time, The Conservation Alliance staff grew, and Serena became more focused on membership recruitment and retention. Five years ago, Serena, a professional cyclist on the side, decided to move to a half-time role and direct more attention to her cycling. With her dedication and efficiency, we hardly noticed the reduction in hours. Under her leadership, our membership has grown steadily to more than 230 companies in the outdoor, craft brew, and associated business sectors. As a direct result of Serena’s efforts, we have grown our grant budget, and plan to contribute $2 million in 2019, more than double what we contributed when she started in 2010. More important, Serena has managed to make personal and professional connections with our member companies that have added to the strength and culture of The Conservation Alliance.
We will miss Serena’s commitment to our mission, her daily presence in the office, and her radiant smile, but we wish her well in her future endeavors. Thank you, Serena. Your legacy at The Conservation Alliance is secure.
