Dear Colleagues,
We have some exciting news to share! The Campbell Foundation would like to announce that Julie Hester, Program Director of Watershed Advocacy, has been offered a sabbatical for the year 2025. This is to commemorate her 20th work anniversary with The Foundation and show her our upmost appreciation for the many years she has worked to advance the Foundation’s mission.
During Julie’s year-long absence, grantmaking under the Watershed Advocacy portfolio will be stewarded by our Chesapeake Team. Staff will collaboratively support the review of reports and proposals. We will follow up with questions on grant materials if any arise. The Foundation’s funding for its Watershed Advocacy portfolio will remain uninterrupted during Julie’s sabbatical.
During Julie’s sabbatical, she will not be checking email nor will she be connected to operations at The Foundation. When you have questions, the Chesapeake office will be your best point of contact.
I know many of you will want to get on Julie’s 2024 calendar before she goes off-line in January 2025. I would encourage you to reach out to her with your well-wishes and gratitude, and rest assured that she will return to her Program Director role in January 2026.
I am proud to celebrate Julie’s work in a visible way that demonstrates my strong desire to support a healthy work-life balance. Julie won’t mind me sharing that she will take this opportunity to travel and spend time with family and friends. She also indicated a desire to go on some long nature-filled walks, possibly from Georgia to Maine! In any event, I am confident she will use this time to reflect and experience new things.
Many of you have had the pleasure of interacting with Julie as a partner, mentor, thought leader, and friend. While we will all miss Julie during this time, I ask that you join me in congratulating her on 20 years of thoughtful and effective work.
Best Regards,
Samantha Campbell
President
