Foundation Announces New Leadership

The Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation is pleased to announce its selection of Rebecca Otto as its next director beginning in January.  Rebecca comes to the Foundation as a nationally recognized leader. Her leadership started as an entrepreneur in small business, then in teaching, followed by sixteen years of public service most recently as Minnesota State Auditor.

Otto’s first wilderness experience in Northern Minnesota was at the age of 14. She went on a 10-day trip in the BWCAW, which transformed her life and informs her leadership style and who she is today. She is deeply grateful to the life of Ernest Oberholtzer in working to establish and protect the BWCAW. “I am excited and honored to lead this legacy organization,” said Otto.

Rebecca brings strong experience in the area of environmental advocacy, which ties both to Ober’s intentions and to the crucial wilderness-saving work still very much needed today. She stated that she identifies with Ober’s leadership style, and that her time in 2019 on Mallard Island gave her “a clarity on what she wanted to do next– a role that is environment-related and ideally tied to Northern Minnesota’s wilderness. This new leadership role will bring me full circle,” said Otto.

Rebecca Otto is well known as one who has worked to protect our Earth. She says, “The next generation deserves clean water and air and to have the chance to experience that life-changing time in the wilderness.” Her personal goals mesh well with those of the Foundation and will bring new energy to the islands and to this century-old legacy. Winter months, Rebecca will work from a home office, and she’ll spend several weeks each summer helping to manage Mallard Island in Rainy Lake. She joins an active 12-member board of trustees, over a dozen active and well-trained island caretakers, and hundreds of individuals who volunteer or generously support this lasting legacy.

This completes the first formal executive search process done by this organization. Bob Norbie, chair of the search committee and incoming president of the Board of Trustees says, “The most important role of a board is to make a strong hire in its chief executive officer. The good news is that we have found that individual in Rebecca who we believe will carry forward a tradition of excellence as we foster our mission.”

Otto replaces outgoing executive director, Beth Waterhouse, who is retiring after thirteen years of leadership for the Foundation. For more information about this important transition, feel free to contact the organization.