Chris Nesset Joins VOC as Chief Executive Officer

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Chris Nesset has been hired as VOC’s Chief Executive Officer.
Chris will join VOC no later than Monday, August 23, and brings over 25 years of non-profit experience in volunteerism and conservation. She has held leadership roles with the Northwest Youth Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Conservation Legacy and the Pacific Science Center.
Throughout her career, Chris has honed her skills in developing innovative partnerships, strategic planning to support organizational growth and relevancy, and non-profit management. She was recognized as a Together Green Audubon Fellow, and served on the board of directors for the Colorado Youth Corps Association, Continental Divide Trail Alliance, and the Wilderness Recreation Partnership.

Chris’s appointment concludes a thorough national search process that evaluated many highly qualified candidates. "We're excited to bring Chris back to Colorado, where she has a history of leadership in environmental stewardship. It was quickly evident to the Board of Directors that Chris’s unique blend of operational boots on the ground leadership and strategic vision aligned very well with the work of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado,” said VOC Board Chairman, Gerald Free. “As we emerge from a difficult pandemic environment, we’re confident that Chris is the right person to bring a fresh outlook to VOC’s long legacy of leadership in environmental stewardship.”
Chris’s long career in conservation began in part at VOC, when she volunteered to help build the walking trail in Denver’s Washington Park. “Coming back to Colorado to lead Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the foundation of my first volunteer outdoor experience, is truly coming full circle for me,” said Chris, “Since that experience in 1995, I have had the opportunity to work with many organizations that bring volunteers to address pressing community and conservation needs across the West.”
Chris looks forward to returning to Colorado with her husband Jan and daughters, Silva and Aleksia (Leksi), with whom she enjoys many outdoor activities including mountain biking, rafting, hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.
“My passion for this work grows stronger by the day, which is a gift that I will take to this incredible opportunity to help shape our communities and public lands through volunteerism. I look forward to bringing a vision that builds on the incredible legacy created by VOC and its previous leadership."
Please contact Anna Zawisza, Interim CEO, at anna@voc.org or 303-715-1010 ext. 125 with any questions about the leadership transition.

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