HBF Board President John Mitchener said he is confident that Gary’s appointment will ensure a seamless continuation of HBF’s work through the organization’s leadership transition.

“The Foundation plays a dual role, supporting individuals’ love for the area through educational programs while actively funding research projects that deepen our understanding of the region’s natural wonders and the importance of their preservation. Winter’s understanding of this role and HBF’s mission overall positions us for continued growth and impact,” Mitchener said.

Previously serving as the organization’s marketing manager, Gary has been with HBF for four years. She first encountered HBF in college through a semester in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s Highlands Field Site program, where she conducted environmental research and learning about the impact humans have on the Southern Appalachians. She returned in 2019 to work a season as a naturalist and then joined HBF part-time before transition to a full-time role in January 2020.

To learn more about HBF’s work, visit highlandsbiological.org/foundation.