Lori’s Message to the Community

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

I am writing to let you know that after ten years of service, I will move on from my role as the Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and begin a new chapter of my life and work. 

My departure is not immediate. I will continue as Executive Director through December as we search for and welcome a successor to ensure a seamless and fruitful transition.

To that end, as part of a Search Committee, Board President Eileen Javers and I have requested proposals from three nonprofit executive search firms recommended by Judee VonSeldeneck. Judee has been a generous supporter of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and has graciously agreed to advise the Conservancy on this transition informally.  

A Search Committee chaired by Eileen Javers and First Vice President Bill Webster has been formed, and the consulting search firm will be selected in mid-June. The opening will be announced in early July, with the intention to make an offer by late September to ensure at least a month of overlap.

It has been a profoundly fulfilling journey to work for an organization that makes such a significant impact in this extraordinary community and beyond. The decision to leave was not easy, given my deep commitment to our mission and the community we serve, as well as the joy of working with such a remarkable board of directors and staff.  I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished in these last ten years and believe it is the right time for me to step aside and allow new energy to bring fresh ideas and capacity to our essential work.

Please be assured of my full support during this six-month transition period. I am eager to help onboard my successor and ensure that the Conservancy is thriving and firmly positioned for its next remarkable chapter before my departure.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to grow and contribute to sustaining and celebrating the greater Chestnut Hill community. Working alongside such dedicated colleagues, with inspiring leadership, and with the many neighbors and friends who passionately love this place has been one of the highlights of my career.

I look forward to supporting and celebrating the organization and the community as it continues to flourish.

Sincerely, 

Lori Salganicoff
Executive Director
Lori@CHConservancy.Org

Thanks to Lori’s leadership, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy is in a strong position, with robust programs, financial stability, and strong community engagement. The Board of Directors is unified and committed to maintaining the high standards of leadership and support, ensuring a smooth transition and a bright future for the Conservancy.

An Update to the Community from the Conservancy Board

Thursday, June 13, 2024

After nearly a decade at the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, Executive Director Lori Salganicoff has decided to move on to explore the next chapter of her life. Lori has been a transformational leader during her time with us. She has added a new level of professionalism to the organization, worked with neighbors to preserve significant historic buildings, added robust programming, ensured financial stability, and so much more. We sincerely appreciate her impactful contributions to our organization. She will continue to serve as Executive Director until the end of the year, ensuring a smooth transition with her successor.

Fortunately, Lori has given the Board ample time to conduct a rigorous search for her successor. The entire Board is committed to engaging in a search for a leader who will advance our mission of preserving the historical, architectural, and cultural resources, as well as the open spaces that define the character of Chestnut Hill and the surrounding communities in the Wissahickon watershed.

We have begun the search for our next Executive Director and will support the transition process to ensure continuity and stability. Judee von Seldeneck, a generous supporter of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, has graciously agreed to advise the Conservancy on this transition informally. She has helped identify executive search firms specializing in nonprofit positions, one of which will be chosen and announced shortly.

First Vice President Bill Webster and I will chair the Search Committee. We plan to announce the opening in early July and ideally make an offer by September or October to ensure at least a month of overlap. The selection process will be thorough, and the Board is committed to finding a leader who will build on the organization’s legacy and continue to advance our missions.

Please join me in thanking Lori for her contributions to the Conservancy. We will celebrate and remember her achievements before she departs.

Thank you in advance for your support as we undergo this transition. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please contact me at Eileen@CHConservancy.Org.

Warm regards,

Eileen Javers
President, Board of Directors
Chestnut Hill Conservancy

Executive Director Search Update from our Board President, Eileen Javers 

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

To begin the formidable task of finding a successor to our Executive Director, Eileen Javers and Bill Webster, co-chairs of the Search Committee, along with other Search Committee members Nancy Newman, Tim Greenwood, Rob Fleming, Larry Salva, and Rebecca Morley, have reviewed the three search firms recommended by Judee von Seldeneck. 

After interviewing firms that submitted proposals, the Search Committee chose Disston Search as the best fit for our organization. Courtney Disston is a member of the neighbor’s group that, for six years, worked to preserve the former Baltzell house and grounds on Rex Avenue and, therefore, gained significant experience engaging with our current Executive Director in Preservation practices. She is an active member of the community, giving her a real advantage as she starts the process, and she is delighted to be conducting the search for an important position in the Chestnut Hill Conservancy.

The next steps will be to finalize the position description and begin outreach. This is an important mission that has the full commitment of the Board of Directors to ensure a successful outcome for the Conservancy. We will continue to provide updates as we move forward.

Executive Director Search  

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy, through Disston Search, is now accepting applications and nominations for the Executive Director position. This role involves leading the organization to ensure alignment with its mission and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for preservation, conservation, and archives, coupled with proven experience in these areas. Key responsibilities include strategic leadership, operations management, team leadership, fundraising, financial oversight, relationship building, and effective communication.

For the full job listing, including detailed responsibilities and qualifications, click HERE to download the PDF. 

Nominations and applications, including a resume and cover letter, should be directed to Courtney Disston at: CDisston@DisstonSearch.Com.

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.