May 30, 2023

Two of North Florida Land Trust’s executive team are making educational advancements. President Allison DeFoor recently graduated from the Nonprofit Executive Program (NPEP) at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University and Director of Land Stewardship Rianna Elliott was accepted into the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute (NRLI) at the University of Florida.

“I congratulate Rianna on being accepted into such a prestigious program that has a highly competitive selection process,” said DeFoor. “The knowledge she will gain and the knowledge I have gained through the NPEP program will position us to better serve and protect the natural resources that surround us because it is now or never. Our work is so important for future generations and for the State of Florida.”

DeFoor recently completed the NPEP program where he spent three months learning and honing important skills that will assist in his goal to make NFLT the number one nonprofit land conservation organization in the nation. The program focused on growth, leadership expertise and financial success. He explored a range of topics alongside other nonprofit and small business leaders including marketing, technology, financial analysis, human resources and the nonprofit organizational model.

Elliott was chosen as a Fellow of Class 23 at NRLI. She will begin her studies in August of this year and will complete the program in April of 2024. NRLI has about 20 Fellows in each class who participate in the professional development curriculum which brings together professionals from a variety of sectors that impact or are impacted by natural resources. During Class 23, the Fellows will visit eight locations around Florida that represent a wide range of natural resource issues. Elliott will engage with stakeholders from diverse organizations and will learn the skills, tools and strategies necessary to lead NFLT through natural resource issues, including collaborative decision-making, conflict management, and communication.

Elliott said, “I look forward to working alongside other natural resource professionals to increase my knowledge of the issues that may arise as we continue to protect and preserve Florida’s natural spaces. This program will help me become a more effective leader as I and my team manage the more than 16,000 acres we currently have in our portfolio and all the future land our organization will preserve.”

About North Florida Land Trust

North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.