Smokey House Center, a living laboratory that advances ecologically sound farming and forestry, has appointed three new directors who together will guide the organization as a shared leadership team. The new team comprises Walker Cammack, Mara Hearst and Danielle Zimmermann, all of whom bring unique expertise to their roles within the center, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer.
Cammack, who joined Smokey House in 2022 as the first program director for the Living Lab, will now serve as program director within the shared leadership team. His research and work has focused on climate adaptive forestry, development of reciprocal land-based economies, implementation of agroforestry systems and place-based education.
Hearst transitions from her role as office administrator and bookkeeper to finance director within the leadership team. Along with her partner, Hearst also operates Levy Lamb, a farm specializing in grass-fed lamb and is dedicated to farming as a climate solution.
Zimmerman joined Smokey House as communications director in 2022 and now serves as a member of the shared leadership team as the director of development and communications. She has a diverse background in film, TV, corporate media and independent marketing, and is enthusiastic about connecting people and sharing stories through digital platforms.
“It is truly exciting to be passing the reins of the organization over to such a skilled, thoughtful and kind team of people who care so deeply about Smokey House Center and each other,” said Interim Director Ben Holmes. “I applaud the board of directors’ determination that the future of the organization will be best served by a shared leadership team where each member is responsible for a specific area that is vital to the organization’s operation.”
Photo caption: New shared leadership team members, from left, Mara Hearst, Walker Cammack and Danielle Zimmerman.