Voyageurs Conservancy is excited to welcome Matt Nielsen as the organization’s Development Director
Hello there! I'm Matt Nielsen and am thrilled to join you all in the work of the Voyageurs Conservancy as its new Director of Development. As a relationship driven development guy with a passion for wild places, environmental education, and the relationships needed to ensure their success I can’t wait to achieve ambitious goals with each of you in the months and years to come.
I was a lucky kid growing up and had both the people and places necessary to create a lifelong passion for the work ahead. Years at the family cabin, countless trips camping on the rocky ledges of the border lakes, coupled with years spent honing my skills in fundraising align both personal and professional passion for the mission of Voyageurs Conservancy.
Professionally, I'm grateful to have led fundraising efforts at some of the region's leading arts, education and environmental organizations including Hennepin Theater Trust, The University of Minnesota’s Weisman Art Museum, the Bell Museum of Natural History, the Minnesota Zoo, and St. Olaf College’s School Nature Area Project–my alma mater where I received a BA in Environmental Studies. At each, my interest in building strong relationships resulted in impactful annual and capital campaigns, countless meaningful conversations with stakeholders, innovative strategies to expand and strengthen networks, and powerful events which all contributed to important advances in environmental conservation, education, science, and recreation. Voyageurs Conservancy's commitment to each of these aligns perfectly with my values, and I'm eager to bring my skills to the table in support of a mission we all hold close.
In my downtime, you'll usually find me on a trail or on the water somewhere and occasionally getting my hands dirty in the garden at my home north of Duluth MN. I love experiencing wild places here at home and around the world. My favorite, of course, are endless hours exploring the land of rocks and water of our own backyard.
Joining the Voyageurs Conservancy is a blessing--I can't wait to join a community of people who love Voyageurs and are committed to its stewardship. I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey together!
