Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes has announced the hiring of Laura Ann Johnson as its first-ever executive director. A long-time board member and volunteer with the organization, Johnson has also served for more than a decade as part of the team at Cherry Republic, most recently as the company’s employee experience manager.

Formed 30 years ago this past spring, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes carries of a mission of “protecting resources and heightening visitor experience” within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. While the organization marshals the efforts of some 500 volunteers to support the park, it has until now subsisted almost exclusively off the contributions of its volunteer base, with no real staff to speak of. Talking to the Leelanau Ticker in August, Director of Communications Bonnie Bastian said that the only paid position the nonprofit has ever had is a summer communications intern, a role added just three years ago.

“Our organization has had a tremendous impact on the park just with our volunteers and the dedication they put into it, but as we got to our 30th anniversary, we wanted to take the next step, and part of that is finding someone who can be on staff and can lead the organization to further growth,” Bastian said of the decision to look for a full-time leader. “Particularly around fundraising, program management, those kind of things, we think having an executive director will take our organization to the next level, beyond what volunteers are able to do.”

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes started its executive director search in July and accepted applications until August 23. Since then, the organization has been working with Kansas-based national search firm the Moran Company to narrow down the applicant pool. The Friends officially announced Johnson’s hiring on Wednesday, noting that she “will begin her role with the organization in late October.”

According to a press release, Johnson will be responsible for leading Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes “into a new era of growth,” including increased fundraising, development of new programs and projects, and creation of a new strategic plan. In addition to her familiarity with the Friends, Johnson brings experience in marketing, management, and human resources, all of which she tackled at some point during her 11-year tenure at Cherry Republic.

“I am incredibly honored to step into the role of the first executive director of the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and am excited to lead the organization into its next chapter alongside our volunteers and supporters,” Johnson shared in the press release. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to craft a fresh strategic vision as we expand our impact and deepen our support of the Lakeshore”