Welcoming Our Next Chapter in Leadership, Jill Fricker
“I’m so happy to have Jill as our Executive Director, and I think she is happy to be here with us, too!
She has a good sense of humor and is sensitive to the needs of our Staff as well as the needs of Thorne.”
-Dr. Oak Thorne, Founder & Honorary President
After months of listening, collaboration, and care, we are excited to share that Jill Fricker has been appointed as Thorne’s Executive Director.
This decision was shaped by staff insight, community partnership, and a thoughtful, intentional search process, reflecting the shared voice and vision of our community.
A Message FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
Dear Thorne Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am very excited to share an important moment in the history of Thorne Nature Experience. After a thoughtful and intentional process grounded in reflection on our mission and the future we are called to shape, we are honored to welcome Jill Fricker as our Executive Director.
Jill first stepped into leadership at Thorne seven months ago as Interim Executive Director. From the very beginning, she brought a steady, compassionate presence paired with a clear sense of direction. She led with care, discernment, and a strength that helped guide our team through transition while keeping us firmly rooted in our purpose. In that time, she has helped stabilize and strengthen our team, improving staff retention and fostering a renewed sense of shared purpose. She has brought focus to our financial foundation, ensuring greater clarity and sustainability in how we steward our resources. At the same time, she has deepened relationships with partners and begun building new connections that will expand access to nature-based programs for more children and families.
Jill has an extraordinary ability to listen deeply and to translate shared aspirations into tangible, lasting impact. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, to community, and to ensuring that the transformative power of nature is accessible to all. There is both intention and humanity in the way she leads, and it is felt across every level of the organization.
What resonated most throughout this process was not simply Jill’s professional background, but her authentic connection to our work. She understands, at a fundamental level, that experiences in nature can shape a child’s sense of belonging, curiosity, and care for the world around them. She carries a vision for Thorne that both honors our long-standing legacy and invites us forward into new possibilities, where more children and families can find connection, wonder, and growth in the natural world.
As Jill steps into this role fully, we are filled with excitement for what lies ahead. Thorne has always been strengthened by its community, by the dedication of its staff, and by the enduring support of those who believe in this mission. With Jill at the helm, we are poised to deepen that impact in ways that are thoughtful, inclusive, and enduring.
In the years to come, we will continue to cultivate spaces where curiosity is sparked, relationships are formed, and the next generation of environmental stewards begins to take shape. We look forward to welcoming many of you to connect with Jill in the coming months, whether by visiting our permanent home in Lafayette, exploring our revitalized summer camp programs, or engaging with us in the field as we build community and explore in nature.
Thank you for being such an essential part of the Thorne community. Your support, partnership, and belief in this work make everything we do possible.
With gratitude and excitement,
John Ricotta
Chair, Board of Trustees
A Note From Jill
Dear Thorne Community,
When I wrote to you last fall as Interim Executive Director, I shared my gratitude for the privilege of stepping into this role. Today, I write with even deeper gratitude, and the honor of doing so as Thorne's permanent Executive Director.
This community has taught me so much in the months since. I have watched preschoolers discover the world at the edge of a creek. I have seen our staff show up with creativity and heart, day after day. I have felt the generosity of donors, families, and partners who believe, as I do, that a child's relationship with the natural world is worth protecting and nurturing.
That belief is what grounds me as I step fully into this role. Thorne is 71 years old, and Oak's original spark, the conviction that joyful, place-based experience builds genuine Earth stewardship, is as alive as ever. My work now is to honor that legacy while helping Thorne grow into its next chapter: strengthening our programs, deepening our community roots, and strengthening the organizational foundation that will carry this mission forward for generations to come.
We have a big vision for our future, and I don't take that lightly. But I am surrounded by an exceptional team, board, and a community that shows up. That is everything.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your continued support of Thorne. I look forward to all that we will build together.
With gratitude and commitment,
Executive Director