Laura Cusick has been named executive director of the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust and will transition from serving as RiGHT’s director of its land protection program.
Cusick, who joined the land trust in March of 2023, said she is excited to continue her career collaborating with RiGHT’s partners on land and water conservation in the San Luis Valley.
Cusick grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has lived in Maine, Wyoming, Oregon and New Zealand. She has a love for travel and experiencing new places, cultures and food.
She holds a B.S. in environmental education, a graduate diploma in viticulture and enology. Her previous career as a winemaker in the Willamette Valley led her full circle to pursuing her “true passion of conservation.”
Working with wine growers and vineyards across the state gave Cusick experience with agriculture and small business operations, and tending her own small acreage motivated her to help others conserve their land.
Cusick said she loves the outdoors and enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, and cooking, and also “curling up with a good book and glass of wine by the fire on a snowy day.”
“We are excited to have Laura at the helm of our organization,” said Kyler Brown, vice president of the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust board.
The organization is looking to fill a development/fundraising position within its staff. RiGHT is also taking applications for new board members as well.
Go to rightslv.org to contact Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust.