New DLC chief eager to share dunes
Hahn Sullivan seeking to connect new generations to wonders of nature
Heather Hahn Sullivan, named new executive director of the Dunes Learning Center by the organization’s board this month, is eager to connect new generations to the wonders of nature.
“I grew up in the Dunes but there are so many local kids have never been to Lake Michigan or hiked a trail in Indiana Dunes National Park,” Hahn Sullivan said.
“Once they have that experience with Dunes Learning Center, they learn to care about the environment.”
Her predecessor, Geof Benson, announced his intent to retire earlier this year and will remain with the organization with the title of executive director emeritus to assist during the transition through February 2023.
“February 2023 will mark my 10 years serving as executive director here and I’m proud how far we have expanded our outreach,” said Benson, who lives in Beverly Shores.
“Whether it’s youth visiting for an afternoon or an overnight or weeklong program, or even participation in our hybrid and virtual programming, we are making an impact. I’m proud of how quickly we adapted to continue to serve the needs of the community during the pandemic.”
Hahn Sullivan, who lives in Valparaiso with her husband and their two children, first came to Dunes Learning Center in 1999 as a student with Valparaiso High School, and later joined the education team as an intern in 2004. After college, she worked fundraising and in administrative roles at other organizations before returning to Dunes Learning Center as development and marketing
director in 2018.
A graduate of Valparaiso High School, she graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, in 2004 with her teaching degree and a double major in French and Geology in 2004. She earned her MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2014.
As an education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, Dunes Learning Center delivers environmental education programs with a focus on the ecology and history of the Indiana Dunes region serving more than 165,000 students from the diverse communities and backgrounds along the south shore of Lake Michigan since the center launched in 1998.
“With significant consideration given to the skills, experience and expertise needed to successfully guide Dunes Learning Center, the board is confident that under Heather’s leadership, the organization will continue to flourish,” said Matthew J. Benus, Dunes Learning Center board president.
“Thanks to Geof ’s vision and guidance over the last decade, Dunes Learning Center’s capacity and impact have grown significantly. Heather’s background in environmental nonprofits as well as her experience with the organization’s partners and funders over the last four years make her uniquely qualified for the role of executive director.”
In recent years, Benson teamed with Hahn Sullivan working with the National Park Foundation and a network of 18 nonprofit partners of the National Park Service from across the country to promote the collective impact of Centers for Overnight Outdoor Learning.
“Geof’s focus on long range infrastructure improvements will continue as we pursue new opportunities to inspire the stewards of tomorrow and look forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary next year,” said Hahn Sullivan, who will be tasked to oversee the development and implementation of a new strategic plan.
“Dunes Learning Center has evolved over the years. It has grown and teaching methods have changed, but still teaches kids about the local ecology and history of the region. Bringing the programs to schools in the tri-county region has been very successful and helped us to reach many more students each year.”