Now that some time has passed and Otte-Demangate has become more accustomed, the organization is beginning to look into ways to grow connections, and potential future changes under the new leadership.

Demangate arrived on the scene at the RTPI in early January, after having quite a relocation. Otte-Demangate had previously lived in California, working for 15 years at the California Nature Arts Museum as the executive director. As a life-long birder, Demangate has long known of the existence of the RTPI, having noted that she has been aware of the location nearly her entire life. Upon seeing the open position Otte-Demangate would be immediately drawn in. Not only was Otte-Demangate actively looking for a slight change of pace at the time, but her husband was about to retire as well and seemed open to the idea of a far move. As a result, Otte-Demangate wasted no time sending in an application, before later being chosen to lead the team.

“So it just all kind of fell into place, and it feels like just a fantastic fit for me personally,” said Otte-Demangate. “My former museum was also very focused on nature, art exhibitions, and you know trying to advocate for conservation, protection, wildlife, and environments. So it was just like a really big fit for me.”

One of the main goals of Otte-Demangate in the role thus far has been to make the connections that the organization needs, not just with individuals in the community but also with other groups. Otte-Demangate noted that each week will contain several meetings at locations throughout the county. The purpose of these meetings are to keep these previously mentioned connections, but to also allow Otte-Demangate to grow new relationships for the organization. Not only does this help these connections to flourish, but also keeps the group informed on important happenings in partnering organizations.

Stacy Otte-Demangate, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

“So lots of meetings are just trying to understand the community, and have them get to meet me, get a sense of who I am, and I’m just loving it,” said Otte-Demangate. “I have to say this fact, the community has been very, very welcoming, and my husband and I are both really delighted to be here.”

Going forward, one area that Otte-Demangate hopes to direct a significant amount of focus to is analyzing the exhibitions along with the organization’s Curator Rachael Kosinski. During this analysis Otte-Demangate hopes that the two can look into the calendar of events and possibly shift some things around slightly, as it has become clear how truly seasonal much of the community is. Additionally, Otte-Demangate is hopeful that the group will be able to increase the amount of educational programming services. With countless organizations such as 4H, local schools, and youth birding clubs all operating throughout the county, Otte-Demangate hopes to coordinate some more collaborative efforts to be putting out as much education to the community’s youth as possible.

“I’m very passionate personally about aspects of our mission. Whether it’s birding or art, being around creative people that care about the environment is just very inspiring for me and I hope, as time follows, it’s inspiring for our local community,” said Otte-Demangate. “I love being in a little bit of a smaller community than where I was before, and being able to be (active) personally as well as professionally.”