Boxerwood Welcomes New Interim Executive Director

Boxerwood is proud to announce that former Sustainability Manager Catrien van Assendelft has taken the role of Interim Executive Director. Please see the announcement from Paul Leonhard, Boxerwood Board President and Catrien van Assendelft below:

Dear Friends of Boxerwood;

As President of the Board of Trustees of Boxerwood, I am writing to alert you about some leadership changes at Boxerwood. Our Executive Director for the past two years, Levy Schroeder has resigned, effective February 19. The board and staff are most appreciative of her leadership in developing a strategic plan for strengthening Boxerwood and its stewardship mission. Her energy, creativity and enthusiasm will be missed.

Fortunately, the Boxerwood talent pool is deep and we were delighted to promote one of our own, Catrien van Assendelft, as Interim Executive Director. Catrien joined the Boxerwood team in July 2017 as Sustainability Manager, whose main responsibilities she will enfold into her new position. A Yale-trained ecologist, Catrien brings to Boxerwood significant expertise in environmental science, permaculture, and education. She has worked extensively in the non-profit world, including prior experience as executive director of the Allegheny Mountain Institute. Catrien assumes direction of Boxerwood with full-hearted support among the staff and board alike. Her analytical skills, attention to detail, and understanding of our mission have impressed us all. While a transition such as this can be challenging, the board and staff are committed to working even more closely, under Catrien’s leadership, to achieve our mission on behalf of the community we serve. As always, we appreciate your on-going and loyal support.

Paul Leonhard
Boxerwood Board President


Dear Friends of Boxerwood,

I am honored to be taking the helm at Boxerwood during this time of transition.  The sense of confidence, camaraderie, and dedication among the staff, board directors, volunteers, and members inspires me deeply.  I look forward to working with you all as together we guide Boxerwood through its next chapters. Like you, I am heartened that Boxerwood is enjoying robust and growing environmental education opportunities. At the same time, we will need your support to weather some upcoming financial and horticultural challenges.

With the conclusion of some federal funding, we’re preparing to run a very tight ship in the months ahead while also managing stewardship responsibilities for our beloved but aging garden and facilities. (You will be hearing more about this specific challenge soon from our Gardens and Facilities team).  On the bright side, we also have a number of exciting strategic priorities in place, which include expanded summer camps, new programming for teens and adults, and budding partnerships with organizations that share our vision of stewardship.

As spring beckons and early Boxerwood flowers are starting to peek out of the ground at this glorious world we share, I leave you with a quote from Boxerwood’s first steward, Dr. Munger:  “A garden once started goes on.”  Thank you all for your continued support and for our journey together as the Boxerwood community.

Yours for a thriving Earth,

Catrien van Assendelft
Interim Executive Director
catrien@boxerwood.org

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