New Executive Director

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce Candace M. Schafer as the new executive director of Westchester Land Trust. Candace officially joined the WLT staff on September 20.

 

Candace comes to WLT with a wealth of knowledge and experience in land use policy and a demonstrated passion and appreciation for the complexities and challenges involved in land preservation in Westchester County.

 

Candace was trained as an architect and real estate developer, and received her LEED, AP certification last year. Most recently, she was senior vice president at Marcus Partners in Norwalk Connecticut and developed two LEED green building projects. For three years, she served as district chair for the Urban Land Institute’s Westchester/Fairfield District Council where she successfully initiated several task forces to encourage partnerships with other volunteer organizations interested in furthering best practices in land use. Her experience in the development community gives Candace a unique and valuable perspective on our land preservation work and programs. She intends to fully engage all parties and stakeholders as we continue to support towns and municipalities in their goal of protecting the open space which is most important to the people in those communities.

 

Candace lives with her husband, Rob Mills, in Norwalk, CT. She has six children and five grandchildren.

 

We continue to encourage an open dialogue between the land trust and you- our supporters who have always provided us with the most steadfast guidance and support. Candace is very eager to get to work and looks forward to meeting all of you and working with you on our shared goals of preserving land and community character here at home. Please reach out to her and give her a warm welcome. I’m sure she’ll be calling on you as well. We’ve proven over the years that our work and mission is a true community effort.

 

I am equally pleased to inform you that Tom Andersen, who has served the land trust most effectively as our interim director, has agreed to serve as deputy director and will continue to play an essential leadership role in the organization. Please join us in congratulating Tom and thanking him for his continued commitment to the Westchester community.

 

All the best,

 

George Bianco

Chairman