“After an extensive search, the Board is excited to welcome Wisteria Stuart to lead the McKenzie River Discovery Center in completing a world class, interactive edutainment resource and experience.” said Board President, Tom Hoyt. “Wisteria brings extensive experience in nonprofit startup and membership development to the McKenzie River Discovery Center, and I especially value her expertise in getting the community involved.”
Wisteria Stuart comes to McKenzie River Discovery Center from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, where she most recently served as the Associate Director of Membership & Engagement. While there she oversaw the modernization of OSF’s membership program making it more welcoming and inclusive while establishing modern social platforms for membership engagement. Wisteria also served as Executive Director of Zenger Farm in Portland, Oregon from 2003 to 2007 where she oversaw the development of an urban agricultural center which preserved their urban farm and wetlands in order to integrate education and environmental protection into a successful demonstration of sustainable farming practices.
A first day to remember! Wisteria’s first day as Executive Director was September 8, the same day fires broke out across Western Oregon, in particular the Holiday Farm Fire which forever changed the McKenzie River and it’s community.
Since then Stuart and the MRDC Board of Directors have been hard at work rebuilding infrastructure and partnering with local organizations to host the Vida Relief Center [link to donate page] at the McKenzie River Discovery Center. ‘In light of these fires, our mission, educating and inspiring stewardship of the McKenzie River, is now more important than ever and our vision to deliver that in a fun, entertaining and memorable way, as part of a thriving community, is imperative to the regions recovery. ‘ said Wisteria Stuart.
The executive director position is supported by a generous grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Read more about them at https://murdocktrust.org/