From Executive Director Betsy Nicholas:
After ten years with Waterkeepers Chesapeake, I have accepted a new position as the Vice President of Programs for Potomac Riverkeeper Network. I am extremely excited about this opportunity and delighted that I will continue to work with the passionate Waterkeeper advocates of the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays regions, as well as our amazing partners working throughout and beyond the watershed, in this new role.
It has been so fulfilling to see the growth and development of Waterkeepers Chesapeake over the past ten years. When I began at Waterkeepers Chesapeake in 2012, we were just beginning to build the nonprofit organization.To see all that we have accomplished since then is beyond what I could have imagined. Not only have we grown the staff and programs, put reserves in the bank and built essential relationships with legislators, regulators, and leaders in our community, but we have unified the Waterkeepers.
In the history of Waterkeepers in this region, we have never seen as much legislative and litigation advocacy from the member organizations as we are seeing today. Groups from the Assateague Coast to Upper Pennsylvania are holding polluters accountable, demanding more from our government agencies, and fighting for those whose voices have been left out of the process. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished together and I am invested in the healthy future of this organization.
Deputy Director Robin Broder will be stepping up to serve as Acting Executive Director. The board has put together a transition team to help guide the organization through this time of change. My last day is January 6, 2023 and I will be starting my new position with Potomac Riverkeeper Network the following week. I know that we are all invested in the future of Waterkeepers Chesapeake and the unique role it plays in the region and I look forward to continuing to work with Waterkeepers to advance clean water protections for all communities.
I thank all of you who have supported us, taken action with us and joined us in protecting our precious clean water.
– Betsy Nicholas
Statement from Waterkeeepers Chesapeake Board Chair Jesse Iliff:
It has been a pleasure to work with Betsy over the past five years on the Waterkeepers Chesapeake board of directors. Her considerable skill as an advocate, manager, and organizer will be missed in our organization, but I am cheered to know she will continue her good work within the Bay watershed at Potomac Riverkeeper Network. I look forward to continuing the fight for clean water with her as a colleague and friend. Our board of directors is committed to guiding us through this transition and to maintaining an effective and strong Waterkeepers Chesapeake for the future.
EN 
ES