Gaithersburg, MD – The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) announced today that it hired Melisa Klem as the organization’s new Director of Development. Klem will lead development and implementation of the League’s fundraising program – with a focus on major donors, foundations, and government and corporate partners – to support the League’s national conservation and outdoor recreation mission.
Klem has more than a decade of experience fundraising for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, most recently as Senior Director of Development for The Potomac Conservancy. She grew up fishing and hiking the mountains of Pennsylvania, which inspired a career in conserving America’s natural resources. She is also an avid equestrian who still spends much of her free time outdoors.
“We’re excited to have Melisa join our team as Director of Development,” said IWLA Executive Director Scott Kovarovics. “She has the skills and experience to help the League sustain and grow financial support for conserving natural resources, protecting clean water, and connecting young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.”
“I am honored to join an organization with such a long history of conservation success,” said Klem. “The Izaak Walton League boasts not only strategic leadership and dedicated staff but also committed members and volunteers throughout the country. I look forward to sharing their work with foundations and individual philanthropists to build an even stronger base of support for the League.”
Klem holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree from the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America (www.iwla.org) protects America’s outdoors through education, community-based conservation, and promoting outdoor recreation.
Contact: Dawn Merritt, Izaak Walton League of America
(301) 548-0150 x220 or dmerritt@iwla.org