Boise, ID – Conservation Voters for Idaho’s board of directors announces their selection of Rialin Flores as the permanent executive director for the organization after conducting an extensive search.
“Amid the current challenges facing our community, the CVI board of directors is pleased to share a positive pronouncement for a bright outlook for Idaho’s conservation future brought about by Rialin Flores‘ leadership,” said Kim Gattiker, chair of Conservation Voters for Idaho Education Fund.
Flores started her new permanent position on March 27, 2020. She succeeds Courtney Washburn, who departed the organization in early January. Since Courtney’s departure, Conservation Voters for Idaho appointed Flores, CVI’s program director since 2016, as the acting executive director to ensure a seamless transition while they conducted their external search.
“The board felt it was necessary to conduct an external search for a number of reasons,” said Mike Lanza, chair of CVI’s board of directors. “We wanted to answer the question of whether we would find a superior candidate from outside of CVI, but also to demonstrate to our supporters that we took our responsibility of finding the organization’s next leader very seriously and to conduct this process with all due diligence. We found that process very educational and informative, and we became overwhelmingly convinced that the top candidate for this position was, far and away, Rialin Flores.”
Before joining CVI, Flores worked extensively in political advocacy and nonprofit fundraising. She’s a graduate of Boise State University, received her B.S. in Political Science and was recognized as one of Idaho’s “Accomplished Under 40” by the Idaho Business Review.
“Rialin brings not only the breadth of experience that we feel is needed in this demanding position, but the leadership skills and reputation within our broader community to step in and continue CVI’s outstanding record of success,” said Lanza. “The board made this decision with complete confidence in her.”
“I am honored to be named Conservation Voters for Idaho’s next executive director,” said Rialin Flores. “I am looking forward to continuing CVI’s 15-year success of working to elect conservation champions, keeping our elected officials accountable and protecting Idaho’s cherished public lands and waters.”
This year, Conservation Voters for Idaho will celebrate its 15th anniversary as the only conservation organization that directly engages in electoral politics in Idaho. The organization, under Rialin’s leadership, is currently utilizing its voter outreach team to call Idahoans across the state and connect them to critical resources during the coronavirus pandemic. CVI will also be encouraging Idahoans to request an absentee ballot ahead of the primary election, as well as releasing its slate of endorsed primary candidates.
With a robust and diverse membership spanning passionate conservationists from around the state, a talented and hard-working staff, a deeply committed, all-volunteer board and now a permanent executive director at the helm, CVI is well positioned to continue to uphold its unique role in Idaho.