{"id":36480,"date":"2025-10-08T15:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/?p=36480"},"modified":"2026-01-29T14:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:13:24","slug":"welcome-to-the-foundation-chris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/welcome-to-the-foundation-chris\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the Foundation, Chris!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p><em>Join us in welcoming Chris Ott, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin\u2019s new Major Gift Officer. <\/em><em>We sat down with Chris so you could learn more about his background, path to fundraising, and passion for conservation and sustainability. Welcome to the Foundation, Chris!<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chris-standing-on-a-trail-courtesy-of-Chris-Ott.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;person wearing a backpack standing on a hiking trail &#8221; title_text=&#8221;Chris Standing On A Trail Courtesy Of Chris Ott&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Chris on a hike. Photo courtesy of Chris Ott<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h3>My connection to nature<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||24px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>I remember coming back to Wisconsin once in my early 20s after having the chance to live for a few years in places like New Mexico, New England, and DC. I liked them all, but driving with my dad toward Lake Michigan that day and looking out the open window on a late, sunny, summer afternoon, I remember saying, \u201cIt\u2019s pretty here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I grew up in Wisconsin\u2014first in Milwaukee and then in the town of Fredonia in Ozaukee County. From an early age, during outdoor trips all over Wisconsin and sometimes further, my parents encouraged an appreciation for nature: camping, hiking, and sometimes watching the night sky. I still remember the first time I really saw the Milky Way clearly from a dark campsite on Siskiwit Lake. Amazing!<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chris-and-family-courtesy-of-Chris-Ott.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;four people taking a selfie while on a hike&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Chris And Family Courtesy Of Chris Ott&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Chris and his family while on a hike in the mountains. Photo courtesy of Chris Ott<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||24px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>We still hike and travel together today. My husband and I also regularly visit the great county and state parks in the Madison area that are dog-friendly (we have two). Our favorite Wisconsin parks include Cherokee Marsh, Governor Nelson, Indian Lake, and Harrington Beach. I also like to cook and over the last few years have gotten into vegetable gardening a little, and planning meals based on what looks good at farmers markets.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chris-walking-his-dogs-courtesy-of-Chris-Ott.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;person walking a dog in a prairie&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Chris Walking His Dogs Courtesy Of Chris Ott&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Chris getting some nature time while walking his dogs. Photo courtesy of Chris Ott<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h3>From social justice to sustainability<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>I\u2019ve spent more than 20 years working for nonprofit organizations. I served as the first executive director for Fair Wisconsin, working for equal marriage rights. For the American Civil Liberties Union, I worked as communications director in Massachusetts, then as executive director back here in my home state. In both Massachusetts and Wisconsin, we worked for things like free speech, greater government transparency, police accountability, digital privacy, and immigrants\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n<p>Because I had long wanted to work for sustainability as well, I took a job in 2021 with the national High Speed Rail Alliance, which works for modern transportation. Thanks in part to Alliance advocacy, Illinois today has trains that go as fast as 110 mph. It\u2019s impressive to ride them when they run right alongside a highway and clearly leave cars and trucks behind. It would be great to have trains at least this good in lots more places\u2014and if we electrify them, they can run on renewable energy and travel even faster.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chris-walking-his-dog-in-the-snow-courtesy-of-Chris-Ott.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;person walking a dog in the snow&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Chris Walking His Dog In The Snow Courtesy Of Chris Ott&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Chris walking his dog in the snow. Photo courtesy of Chris Ott<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h3>Making a difference through donor relations<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>Through the years, working with donors has gradually become a bigger part of my work. I like getting to know people and letting them know how they can make a difference.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m excited now to do this with NRF because of its direct focus on conservation. We face a lot of challenges\u2014politically and in the actual natural world around us. It\u2019s more important than ever to protect what we can and lay foundations for a better future.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m already enjoying meeting NRF members and supporters who feel the same way, and want to help expand what we can do together!<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h4>Please join us in welcoming Chris!<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Written by Chris Ott, Major Gift Officer<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join us in welcoming Chris Ott, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin\u2019s new Major Gift Officer!<\/p>\n <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/welcome-to-the-foundation-chris\/\"rel=\"nofollow\">Read 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