For Immediate Release
Contact:
Nora Seilheimer, Director of Advancement
The Piedmont Environmental Council
nseilheimer@pecva.org; 434-977-2033, x7008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (March 15, 2022) – Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller is pleased to announce the appointment of Nora Seilheimer to the role of director of advancement. On March 15, Seilheimer joined PEC’s staff and management team following eight years as a member of the organization’s board of directors and one year on its executive committee. In her new role, she will provide leadership and strategic direction for PEC’s fundraising priorities and activities throughout the organization’s nine-county region and strengthen engagement with supporters. She’ll be working out of PEC’s Charlottesville office.
“Nora is well-known for her strong passion for conservation and sustainable communities in the Piedmont. Through her service on our board and executive committee, she is already familiar with PEC’s mission, programs and project priorities. Her enthusiasm and professional expertise position her well to lead PEC’s efforts to build support from our contributors and donors as we celebrate our 50th anniversary and establish priorities for the future,” Miller said. “We are delighted to welcome Nora to this new role within the organization.”
“This is an exciting time to join PEC’s staff, as it celebrates 50 years of results and builds out a new strategic plan to chart out the organization’s future. PEC provides a unique structure and set of programs across a wide variety of issues. Empowering citizens to protect the Piedmont is central to PEC’s work and our area is better because of PEC’s knowledge base and incredible staff expertise. I have relied on PEC’s expertise as I’ve become involved in various conservation and land use issues in my community. Having this first hand knowledge of PEC’s effectiveness led me to become a donor, a board member and now my new role as director of advancement,” said Seilheimer, who lives with her family in southern Albemarle County on a farm under a conservation easement held by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
Seilheimer comes to PEC’s staff with nearly 20 years of success in fundraising, most recently as chief advancement officer for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation in Charlottesville. There, she led the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, substantially expanding operational funds over her seven year tenure, and launched a $60 million campaign. She also brings development experience from the Montpelier Foundation and Monticello. She said working with donors fuels her love for work in development.
“Throughout my career, it has been very rewarding to work with donors who are committed to making the world a better place through their philanthropy. PEC’s loyal members and donors are committed to conserving the Piedmont and I look forward to working with them at this critical time when the pressures on our area have never been greater. Thanks to their generosity, PEC is on solid financial footing, and I look forward to continuing this trajectory, ensuring that PEC will be in a strong financial position to face the challenges of the future,” she said.
“We are all excited to have Nora as part of the leadership of PEC and to provide a platform for one of the region’s great community voices,” said Miller. Consistently active in local conservation efforts, Seilheimer helped organize the successful campaign to stop the Charlottesville bypass in 2012 and currently serves on the newly formed board of the Foxfield Races that was established to launch the property and the races into a new era after a community led effort protected the property from development. She has been effective in a variety of volunteer roles, including grassroots organizing, developing fundraising programs, advising nonprofits, and service on a number of nonprofit boards, including ReadyKids, Southern Environmental Law Center’s Next 30 Committee, and the Charlottesville Albemarle Transportation Coalition.
Seilheimer says her new role at PEC is the perfect opportunity to further her personal and professional investment in conservation. “It is such a gift to live in this special part of the world, and I feel fortunate to be part of an effective organization that can draw on 50 years of experience to ensure that this region’s future is vibrant, beautiful and sustainable.”
Since 1972, The Piedmont Environmental Council has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, improve air and water quality and build thriving communities. PEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and accredited land trust. Learn more at www.pecva.org