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The Dunes Learning Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce Heather Hahn Sullivan as the new Executive Director. Her predecessor, Geof Benson, announced his intent to retire earlier this year. “With significant consideration given to the skills, experience and expertise needed to successfully guide Dunes Learning Center, the Board is confident that under Heather’s leadership, the organization will continue to flourish,” Board President and STEM consultant Dr. Matthew J. Benus said. “Thanks to Geof’s vision and guidance over the last decade, Dunes Learning Center’s capacity and impact have grown significantly. Heather’s background in environmental nonprofits as well as her experience with the organization’s partners and funders over the last four years make her uniquely qualified for the role of Executive Director.” Heather first came to Dunes Learning Center in 1999 as a student with Valparaiso High School and later joined the education team as a Naturalist Intern in 2004. After working in various fundraising and administrative roles at organizations across the country, she returned to her roots at Dunes Learning Center as Development and Marketing Director in 2018. Most recently, Heather and Geof have been working with the National Park Foundation and a network of 18 nonprofit partners of the National Park Service from across the country to promote the collective impact of Centers for Overnight Outdoor Learning. Thanks to their commitment, Dunes Learning Center is a leader in this national movement to make environmental education accessible for all students. “I grew up in the Dunes and know how important it is for young people to connect with nature. So many local kids have never been to Lake Michigan or hiked a trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. Once they have that experience with Dunes Learning Center, they learn to care about the environment.” Heather said. “Geof’s focus on long range infrastructure improvements will continue to have an impact as we pursue new opportunities to inspire the stewards of tomorrow and look forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary next year.” About Heather Hahn Sullivan Heather Hahn Sullivan is the new Executive Director of Dunes Learning Center. In this role, she will oversee the development and implementation of a new strategic plan with a focus on delivering lifelong outdoor learning opportunities for all students, creating an engaging and rewarding workplace, and building equitable and diverse teams. Prior to becoming Executive Director, she was named Chief Operating Officer after serving as Development and Marketing Director since 2018. Before Dunes Learning Center, Heather gained more than 16 years of nonprofit fundraising experience at environmental organizations including Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Cincinnati Nature Center. She earned an MBA from Drexel University and a BA in Geology and French with a minor in secondary education from Hope College. Along with serving on the marketing committee of the Association of Nature Center Administrators, Heather is the current president of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a volunteer at Field Station Cooperative Preschool. Previously, she served as the president of the board at Pennypack Farm & Education Center, a nonprofit organic farm. About Dunes Learning Center The education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, Dunes Learning Center delivers environmental education programs with a focus on the ecology and history of the Indiana dunes region. Since 1998, more than 165,000 students from the diverse communities and backgrounds along the south shore of Lake Michigan have learned about nature, in nature with Dunes Learning Center’s school-year, summer camp, internship, and community education programs. Former students and campers become counselors in training, cabin leader interns, naturalist educator interns/fellows, and employees. Others are inspired to become teachers, scientists, park rangers, and community leaders who are advocates for the local environment, Lake Michigan, and their very own National Park.
For more information, please contact: Michelle Krueger 219-682-8956 mkrueger@duneslearningcenter.org
Last updated: November 14, 2022