We had the good fortune of connecting with Mindy Riesenberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mindy, how does your business help the community?
I am the Director of Marketing & Communications at Grand Canyon Conservancy. We’re the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, meaning we raise private funds, operate retail shops within the park, and provide premier educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. Our donors fund projects including trails and historic building preservation, educational programs for the public, the protection of wildlife and their natural habitat, and cultural preservation. I have been working with GCC since 2017, and am so proud of the work we do. We’ve made it possible for underserved students to visit Grand Canyon when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do so, and for rangers to provide virtual educational programming across the country. We’re in the process of elevating the voices of the 11 Indigenous tribes traditionally associated with Grand Canyon throughout the park through interpretation programs, new signage, new facilities, and by encouraging economic growth for our tribal partners through the Cultural Demonstration Program and other initiatives. Our donors have made it possible to do extensive research throughout the park to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Funds from GCC have provided the tools for scientists to protect vital wildlife, like fish and bison at the canyon. I could go on and on! It’s such an honor to be working somewhere that makes an impact on so many people, wildlife, and the land itself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have had a very interesting career, living and working in different areas. I started out post-Journalism degree just trying to figure it all out. I had no idea what to do with myself, and took an internship position in the editorial department of Los Angeles Magazine. That led to my being introduced to a gentleman who ran a boutique PR agency in Los Angeles, who hired me on as a PR coordinator. This was my first real work in PR, and it led to a position promoting authors at a literary agency in San Diego. For a few years, I worked in PR agency work, and then struck gold when I moved back in with my parents who had moved to, of all places, Abilene, Texas! I was hired as the Director of Marketing for The Grace Museum, an art, history, and children’s museum situated in an historic building in downtown Abilene. That was when I met my first true mentor, Judy Godfrey, who was the Executive Director. This position led to my role as the Senior Marketing Officer at the San Diego Museum of Art, and then to Fort Worth, Texas, where I became the Head of Marketing, Development, and Public Relations at the world-renowned Kimbell Art Museum. Following that stint, I was the Director of Marketing at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Director of Marketing at the Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona Opera. Whew! I think it was my drive mixed with my willingness to move anywhere in the country that allowed me all of these opportunities. Lots of people I know say that I’m “fearless” and “a risk taker” because of this, but I just thought of myself as someone who wanted to keep moving up, wanted new experiences, and wanted to keep learning! Unfortunately, all of this caught up to me, as I wound up so stressed out and depressed by the time I was in my early 40s that I had to take time off of my career in order to get well again. However, that turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me, because it changed the course of my career. I got well, went back to school full time to get my master’s degree in Mass Communication at ASU’s Cronkite School, and covered the border and environmental issues for Cronkite News. This work landed me the job with Grand Canyon Conservancy when I graduated at the ripe age of 46! And I’ve been with GCC ever since, relocating up to Flagstaff where I can enjoy the weather, the outdoors, and access to National and State Parks. I’ve learned that it’s never too late to do a re-set. You’re never too old to go back to school. Life may not be fair or easy, but good things come if you work hard, are a good person, and love what you do!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I live in Flagstaff, the best city in Arizona! When visitors come up, I take them to Grand Canyon National Park, of course! I like to show people how to find Shoshone Point, which is hard to find unless you know where it is, and has a spectacular view of the canyon. We usually stop in Williams as well to do a little bit of “Route 66” shopping. Another option is to ride down through Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona for the day, which is one of the most beautiful drives in the state (or the world, for that matter). Hiking is a must for me wherever we end up! As for food, if it’s an upscale night, Atria and Shift are two amazing places to eat. If it’s more casual, we have great Thai options and Delhi Palace has wonderful Indian food. During the warmer months, hanging outside at one of the dog-friendly patios (Tourist Home, Historic Brewing Co., Dark Sky Brewing, Mother Road Brewery) is lots of fun! For coffee and pastries, Late for the Train or Lund Canyon Coffee are my faves. And Biff’s Bagels are pretty darn good for bagels outside of NYC!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As someone who makes a point to give back by mentoring others, I am especially grateful to the former female leaders who I worked under at other positions over the years. In particular, I had strong female leadership examples at several museums I worked at who showed me the importance of being myself and being strong in my belief that I am good enough and smart enough. Credit also goes to my funny, smart, and outgoing mother, who allowed me to believe that I could do anything I wanted to and thought I was funny, and my wry, smart, and more reserved father, who I try to live up to every day!

Website: www.grandcanyon.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grand_canyon_conservancy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyriesenberg/

Image Credits
Mindy at Canyon photo: Photo by Fresh Focuses Photography All others courtesy Mindy Riesenberg

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