Thorne is happy to welcome our Interim Executive Director, Jill Fricker! Jill has begun preparing for her new role and will join the team full-time in late September.
Our Interim Executive Director, Jill Fricker, reflects on the beauty she has already seen at Thorne — in our land, our staff, and our devoted community.
Dear Thorne Community,
It is a privilege to step into the role of Interim Executive Director at Thorne Nature Experience. Like many of you, I am inspired by Thorne’s mission: to build Earth stewardship by providing youth with joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences that foster an emotional connection to nature.
As many of you know, Brian Sense has accepted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity abroad with his family. His decision is a personal one, and we are deeply grateful for the care and thoughtfulness he has brought to this transition. I join you in wishing Brian and his family the very best.
Thorne’s beauty is found not only in our beautiful surroundings and space, but in the passion and care of the people who bring our mission to life, and in the community where new opportunities can take root. Already, I have witnessed the joy of preschoolers exploring the creek, the energy and collaboration at our all-staff retreat, and the devotion of a community that will bring together more than 500 people at Fall Fest this weekend. I am especially excited about our fresh, year-round programming here at the Lafayette Nature Center, which is being developed with strong principles and a spirit of possibility.
Our home on over 2 acres along Lafayette Open Space, with its creek and endless possibilities, positions us well to continue building out even more in the future. At the heart of it all is Oak’s passion, an inspiration that sparked this organization 71 years ago and continues to guide our work today.
Leadership transitions can bring questions, but I want to reassure you that Thorne’s programs are thriving, our team is empowered, and our commitment to the mission is unwavering. Transition is also a time for emergence, and I look forward to seeing what can take root in this next chapter for Thorne.
Thank you to all Thorne families, community partners, donors, funders, staff, and our Board of Trustees for your continued support. I hope to meet many of you at Natural Night Out on October 17th. To learn more about my background and experience, please visit my LinkedIn profile.
With gratitude and optimism,
Jill Fricker
Interim Executive Director
Jill@nullthornenature.org