Blessed and Released

By Dave Schaub, Executive Director

For the last two and a half decades Inland Northwest Land Conservancy has benefitted from a reliable, steadying presence on our staff, and now, after 24 years, we are readying ourselves to celebrate Vicki Egesdal’s retirement. Vicki was hired in 2001 to fill the new position of Development Coordinator. Since then, she has served as Director of Development and Communications, Operations Manager, Interim Executive Director, and Associate Director, a role she has occupied for the past eight years. 

Vicki has had an indelible impact on the Conservancy’s work of permanently protecting special places throughout the Inland Northwest. Her kind, patient, dedicated approach to clear communication with donors, staff, and board members has become deeply infused into our organizational culture, and her meticulous care with our finances, policies, and management systems were integral to our successful national accreditation in 2019 and renewal in 2025. Vicki’s legacy will live on at INLC through the standards, policies, and practices that bolster virtually all aspects of our work. 

Anyone who has spent time in the Conservancy’s office – volunteers, partners, donors, staff, even neighbors of ours on our floor – will recognize Vicki’s laugh. In volume and exuberance, it’s really only rivalled by her sneeze. Both are delightfully full-throated expressions from someone who generally prefers to work behind the scenes. And, just like her steadfast presence as a leader of our team, we will sorely miss these sporadic outbursts. 

“INLC would not be the strong organization it is today without Vicki’s long-term commitment and support.  We are so grateful for her contributions – especially her vital involvement in our organizational accreditation.  The care and passion in which Vicki carries out her work will be deeply missed.  Yet we wish her well as she begins her new chapter.”

– Toni Pessemier, Board President

“Maybe the smartest thing I ever did here was hire Vicki Egesdal in 2001, my second hire since starting in June 1997 at the fledgling land trust. Vicki deserves all the credit for all the rule-following and accreditation and everything done right during my 17 years as Executive Director, and since. 

Every time I hired someone I said “First, do whatever Vicki says. I’ve never gone wrong doing what Vicki said to do.” Vicki and I have weathered budget straits, convoluted agency contracts, HR “issues,” many rounds of strategic planning and flip charts and software “upgrades.” 

Vicki, you are hereby blessed and released…..help!!!” 

– Chris DeForest, Senior Conservationist