The St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) today announced that after 14 years of service, Kris Eilers is retiring from her position of Executive Director to begin her new role as St. Louis County Commissioner, District 1. Eilers held an impactful tenure dedicated to protecting, restoring and connecting people to the St. Louis River.
In tandem with this transition, the SLRA Board of Directors has officially launched a comprehensive search to identify the organization’s next visionary leader.
Under Kris’ leadership, the SLRA took the lead to secure millions of state and federal dollars to fund the state’s clean-up of contaminated sediments in the harbor. Tripling the operating budget under her direction, the SLRA was able to successfully expand community programming, providing meaningful experiences and resources to thousands, advance critical habitat restoration initiatives and strengthen partnerships across the Twin Ports. The Board expressed its deep gratitude for these contributions.
“Kris Eilers has been an extraordinary leader and a fierce advocate for the St. Louis River Estuary,” said Jessie Peterson, Board President of the St. Louis River Alliance. “Kris’ passion and dedication has galvanized our community, brought vital attention to river stewardship, and set a high standard for environmental advocacy in the Twin Ports.”
“I am extremely grateful to the SLRA board, staff, members, and partners for their passion and commitment to the St. Louis River”, Eilers said. “It has been the fulfillment of a dream to be a part of this collaborative restoration. Experiencing first-hand the cascade of life that comes from the newly established stands of Manoomin and the re-connection of the community to the recovering St. Louis River brings me hope. I am in awe of the care and the reciprocity that the river reflects back to us and how clean water transforms our lives. The thousands of committed stewards, new and old, who will enjoy and protect the river, and my love for the water will continue to inspire my work.”
The formal job posting and application instructions are now available on the St. Louis River Alliance website: stlouisriver.org/news/now-hiring-executive-director. The Board intends to conduct a thorough search in the coming weeks, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition of leadership responsibilities.
The ideal candidate will be a mission-driven leader with proven non-profit management skills who is passionate about protecting waterways, strengthening communities and building a healthier future for the St. Louis River Estuary.
