Zion Forever Project Seeks New Board Members in Nationwide Search

The Zion Forever Project opened a nationwide search for two to four new board members on March 25, 2026, kicking off what the Springdale, Utah-based nonprofit described as a "transformative new chapter" guided by a new five-year strategic plan and aimed at expanding its reach across the public lands landscape.

The organization sought "a well-connected and mission-driven cohort" to help steward Zion National Park through a pivotal period of organizational growth. The board search arrived alongside a wave of leadership changes: outgoing board chair Julie Saemisch was recognized for steering the selection of new CEO Natalie Britt before stepping back from the chair role, while Cedar City attorney Shain Manuele was elected as the new Board Chair and Kyle Wells, Ph.D., Professor of Finance at Utah Tech University, was selected as Vice-Chair.

Manuele, a principal at Manuele Law and a three-year board veteran, addressed the transition directly: "I am committed to building on the solid foundation my predecessors laid and working closely with the park, the community, and our supporters to ensure that we continue to make a difference, now and forever."

As the official philanthropic and operational partner for Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks and Pipe Spring National Monuments, and Dixie National Forest, the organization works side by side with the National Park Service daily, funding critical park projects, preserving land, and supporting education programs. The scope of that work is significant: the organization claims its efforts have a direct impact on approximately 5 million visitors each year, which it says exceeds annual visitation at the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite combined.

The organization has maintained a legacy of conservation work since 1929. The board role the search targets carries broad expectations: new members will be responsible for strategic oversight, leveraging expertise, and deepening collaborative efforts with government partners, gateway communities, and conservation partners to create lasting connections to the greater Zion landscape.

Four individuals have already been announced as joining the board, bringing a cross-section of public lands, outdoor industry, and financial expertise. Angelita Bulletts of Fredonia, Arizona, is a former District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management's Southern Nevada District; Pitt Grewe of Salt Lake City brings his role as Head of Public Land Partnerships at AllTrails; Alex Kutches of Bozeman, Montana, previously served as President of Mystery Ranch Backpacks; and Becky MacDonald of Las Vegas is Co-founder and Chief Compliance Officer of Endowment Partners, LLC.

The Zion Forever Project remains committed to its mission of enhancing the visitor experience and safeguarding the park's unique landscape by supporting its park partners in education, research, and philanthropic efforts. With a new CEO, a restructured board, and a five-year plan now driving operations, the organization is positioning itself for one of the more consequential stretches in its nearly century-long history.