Letter from the President
Dear ELA Community:
I’m reaching out today to share with you the news that ELA’s long-time Executive Director, Penny Lewis, will be stepping down next year. Thanks to Penny’s dedication and passion for our mission over the last 16 years, ELA has grown from a small grass-roots volunteer-run organization to the professional organization that it is today.
During Penny’s tenure, ELA has grown in size, reach and impact. Membership has doubled in the last eighteen months. We’ve expanded regionally and added annual conferences in the Mid-Atlantic and New York City. We’ve offered free webinars through the Walk in the Garden series in 2020 and 2021. The monthly newsletter is distributed to more than 11,000 recipients. We have had successful year-over-year financial growth. This positive trajectory is thanks to Penny’s incredible and tireless efforts to spread the mission and work of ELA to as many folks as possible.
The ELA Board is grateful for everything Penny has given to ELA and the larger ecological community and we wish her well on her future endeavors. Penny’s hard work has left ELA well positioned to continue future growth and the board has convened a Leadership Transition Task Force to guide the process of determining the best path forward. While we can never replace Penny, we recognize that ELA’s mission has never been more important and we’re excited about what the future holds for your organization.
Sincerely,
Rie Macchiarolo
ELA Board President
We Clean Out the Cabinets; You Get the Discounts!
Had your eye on an ELA tee shirt? Or a book in the ELA store that you wish you’d purchased?
Don’t hesitate now! We have limited stock and have cut prices deeply. First come; first served.
