Broaddus to take on new role for the environment

Lynn E. Broaddus, Executive Director for Milwaukee Riverkeeper, steps down to accept new position

Dr. Lynn E. Broaddus, executive director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper since May 2003, will be leaving the organization to accept a leadership position at The Johnson Foundation in Racine, WI. Broaddus has been involved with Milwaukee Riverkeeper for seven years, five and one-half of which have been as executive director. In her new role, she will help The Johnson Foundation shape its environment and community programming, with an initial emphasis on freshwater issues.

The Johnson Foundation operates Wingspread, where conferences are convened to advance solutions to national and regional environmental issues, as well as other concerns focused on the Racine community.

“It’s not easy to leave an organization and a cause that I have come to care about so deeply. But I know that I leave Milwaukee Riverkeeper in the best of hands – we have a phenomenal Board and staff who will ensure a smooth transition into the new phase of the organization’s life.” When asked why she’s leaving, Broaddus stated “I am passionate about Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and had no intention of leaving. However, the opportunity to bring about change at a broader level through work at The Johnson Foundation was the bait that caught my eye. It builds on everything I’ve learned and the connections I’ve built while working on river issues, but also ties back to my earlier work with biodiversity and energy issues.”

“Lynn is a great addition to The Johnson Foundation,” said Roger Dower, executive director of The Johnson Foundation. “Her strong education background in environmental sciences and energy conservation combined with her extensive expertise gained while working at Milwaukee Riverkeeper will support the Foundation’s efforts to convene diverse individuals and organizations to discuss and implement solutions to issues facing our environment and community.”

Broaddus earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. in botany and genetics from Duke University and a master’s of business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She also serves as Board president of the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium, and Board treasurer for the River Alliance of Wisconsin.

Cheryl Nenn, who has served in the staff position of Milwaukee Riverkeeper for six years, has been named Interim Executive Director while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted. Ms. Nenn has extensive experience in natural resource management in both the United States and Latin America, and holds a Masters of Science in Natural Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan. This change takes effect Friday, December 5th.

“We are really going to miss Lynn,” stated Tony Handzlik, Board Chair, “but she has built such a strong program over her tenure that we are not worried about the future of the organization.” Handzlik went on to say that the Board is working through the process of evaluating the organization’s needs, and expects to begin the search for a new director shortly after Thanksgiving.