The Georges River Land Trust announced, April 26, 2022, that it would move to a shared leadership structure between Annette Naegel, the director of Lands, Marie McNeely, the director of Partnerships and Jula Sampson, in a newly created position, director of Operations. The trio will divide leadership responsibilities for GRLT’s program, development and operational needs and work in partnership with the entire staff to realize the commitments of the land trust.

“Our Board embraces this new direction as another example of how our land trust values resiliency and conservation,” said Alvin Chase, Board Chair, in a GRLT news release.

The team proposed the structure in the wake of the recent departure of its executive director and senior level turnover in previous years.

“We wanted to create an infrastructure that protects our small staff against repeated gaps in continuity and progress,” said Jula Sampson, former co-owner of A. E. Sampson & Son. “It’s less disruptive for an organization of our size to share accountability. And it builds teamwork.”

Annette Naegel, a 20-year veteran of GRLT, echoed the sentiment: “It makes sense for Georges River Land Trust. Interdependence is nature’s solution for healthy ecosystems. This alliance respects the individual strengths we each bring to GRLT, given our professional backgrounds, while allowing us to work in unison.”

Marie McNeely, who managed global ad teams for 20 years with similar models added, “We’re also united by a clear purpose that the wider GRLT community shares – to love and protect the place we live and love. When you’re guided by common values, it’s a lot easier to row together.”