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The Nature Conservancy in Arizona Names Directors to New Executive Posts

Susan Waschler, Tom Collazo Assume New Leadership Positions
In 25,000-Member Chapter of Global Conservation Organization

PHOENIX, AZ — May 29, 2007 — Susan Waschler of Phoenix and Tom Collazo of Tucson have been named to new leadership roles in The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, State Director Patrick Graham announced today.  Both positions report to Graham and oversee key areas within the 40-year-old nonprofit conservation group.

Waschler has been named deputy state director of philanthropy, marketing & operations.  She will assist Graham in overall management of the Arizona chapter, focusing in particular on integrating the philanthropy, marketing and operations functions with the organization’s conservation goals and objectives.  Collazo assumes the role of associate state director for conservation programs.  His primary responsibilities will include protecting priority conservation areas consistent with the chapter’s strategic plan and integrating its science and conservation efforts with public policy objectives.

Most recently, Waschler served as the first chief advancement officer for the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.  Prior to that, she was director of philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, vice president of development and Phoenix metro director for the American Heart Association and in senior management positions overseeing development, marketing and communications for the Valley of the Sun YMCA. 

Collazo has worked with the Conservancy in Arizona since 1981.  For the past eight years, he has been director of conservation, overseeing the chapter’s science, land protection, stewardship and most field-based programs.  Collazo also was responsible for starting up the Conservancy’s Aravaipa, Bingham, Hart Prairie and San Pedro River preserves and San Pedro, Verde, northern Arizona, White Mountains, conservation science and rapidly urbanizing areas programs.  He received his B.S. degree from Northwestern University.

Waschler has been a director of the Arizona Animal Welfare League and Leave a Legacy Arizona and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  She was board president of AFP’s Greater Arizona Chapter in 1998 and named its Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 1999.  She received her B.A. degree from Indiana University.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. For more information about our work in Arizona, visit nature.org/arizona.