Jacqui Sulek

We send well wishes to Jacqui Sulek as she retires after 19 years as chapters conservation manager. In addition to supporting our 44 local chapters in Florida, Jacqui also coordinated Jay Watch, our
community science program protecting the Florida Scrub-Jay.

During her time on staff, she inspired chapters to widen their conservation programming and reach; supported the Conservation Leadership Initiative through chapter mentor recruitment; helped plan and host the pilot  year of FLEDJE, a chapter-driven EDIB learning program; and took an instrumental role in Audubon Florida’s annual Assembly. Her passion for the birds and the people in her flock is apparent in everything she does. Thank you, Jacqui, for two decades and beyond!

Kristen Kosik

Kristen Kosik stepped into the role of chapters conservation manager upon Jacqui’s retirement. While the role may be new to Kosik, Audubon and our Florida chapters are not. Since 2019, Kosik has been part of the Audubon Florida staff supporting the Conservation Leadership Initiative (CLI), working with college students and Florida chapters to connect next-generation conservationists with our network and conservation projects across the state.

Kosik has nearly a decade of experience in environmental education and public engagement and is excited to share her skills in advancing equity and inclusion, engaging new communities, and leadership development with our state’s chapter leaders. She will continue to lead the CLI program as part of her new role.

This article first appeared in the 2024 Summer Naturalist. Click here to read the full magazine.