Kent Anderson is a seasoned non-profit leader with more than 25 years of experience in non-profit organizations, most recently including the American River Natural History Association and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Sacramento where he served as Executive Director for more than 3 years, and the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation, where he served as the organization’s very first Executive Director.
His previous experience includes roles as Executive Director with Putah Creek Council and San Francisco LGBT Pride, as well as various management and leadership positions with STAR Education and the STAR Ecostation Exotic Animal Rescue and Children’s Museum, Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor School, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, among others. Kent also has over 5 years of experience with the State of California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, including one year serving as a consultant in support of the American River Salmon Festival, California’s then largest salmon-related event, and providing support and expertise for interpretive and education programs, projects and services.
Kent brings expertise in program development, special event coordination and management, community relations, and grant writing, as well as extensive facility design and management, major fundraising including capital campaign and major donor cultivation. He has served on the boards of several environmental non-profits, including the Wildlife Care Association, and served as an Executive and Board Consultant for the Western Railway Museum and the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association and has supported the development of a new nature center in the City of Folsom, and the inception and operation of several other non-profit entities.
An avid outdoorsman and hiker, Kent has spent many days and nights exploring natural places and building his first-hand knowledge of and passion for all that nature has to offer. He considers himself a “lifelong-learner” and spends much of his free time visiting parks, museums, nature centers, arboretums, gardens and any other sites or events where educational opportunities exist. His passion for education and learning has lead to his pursuit of various professional certifications and licenses, including as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Sierra-Sacramento Emergency Medical Services Agency, certification as a California Naturalist through the University of California’s Extension Program, as well as Non-profit Management Certification through the Institute of Non-Profit Management.