GreenWorks announces new director

Photo courtesy of Asheville GreenWorks

Press Release

Asheville GreenWorks

After a year-long, nationwide search, Asheville GreenWorks, a 40-year old environmental conservation organization working to enhance the community through educational and volunteer-based programs, announces the hiring of its new executive director.

Dawn Chávez, who brings 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management in the environmental field, will take over as head of Asheville GreenWorks on December 1, 2014.

“We are so excited to welcome Dawn to the Asheville Community,” said Samantha Bowers, chair of the Asheville GreenWorks board of directors. “She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm, from on-the-ground know-how to skill in directing nonprofits, raising funds and inspiring volunteers. We look forward to working with her as we continue our work in creating a beautiful and environmentally healthy Asheville.”

Chávez, an environmental nonprofit consultant in Boston, has a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from Cornell University and a master’s degree in environmental education from Montclair University. A native of New York City, Chávez has lived and worked across the country in many different communities, from wilderness outposts to small towns to large urban centers. Most recently, Ms. Chávez has worked as director of the Boston Youth Environmental Network and education director of the Urban Ecology Institute in Boston.

“I have been visiting family in Asheville for the past fifteen and have always been drawn to the beauty of the city, the mountains and the community,” said Chávez. “I’ve learned that GreenWorks has played a major role in transforming the city into the gem of Western North Carolina that it is today and am excited to help steer the ongoing environmental passion of its thousands of hardworking, dedicated volunteers in such a vibrant city.”

Chávez looks forward to building upon the legacy of environmental conservation and community development led by long-time Executive Director Susan Roderick, who retired from the organization in July 2013.

Chávez enjoys birding, hiking, cycling, and paddling with her husband and their two children. She and her family also appreciate and value the rich, diverse cultural offerings of Asheville and Western North Carolina.

About Asheville GreenWorks
Founded in 1973 as Quality ’76, Asheville GreenWorks to give citizens the opportunity to improve their urban environment through grassroots, community-based volunteer projects. Today we engage over 2,600 volunteers annually through 200 community driven projects. For more information about how you can get involved, visit: www.ashevillegreenworks.org

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About Carrie Eidson
Multimedia journalist and Green Scene editor at Mountain Xpress. Part-time Twitterer @mxenv but also reachable at ceidson@mountainx.com. Follow me @carrieeidson

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