FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nDate: October 13, 2022
\nContact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org,
\n518.891.6200<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Inaugural director built strong programs and partnerships during her tenure<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. \u2014 The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that Nicole
\nHylton-Patterson is stepping down from her role as director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative after
\nnearly three years heading the program. ANCA will convene a hiring committee made up of members of
\nthe economic development organization\u2019s board and staff, as well as ADI Core Team members, to
\nconduct a search for a new director.<\/p>\n
Hylton-Patterson\u2019s final day as ADI Director is Friday, October 14, 2022. The open job position will be
\nposted on the ANCA website and shared broadly later this month.
\n\u201cWe are so grateful for Nicky and all the incredible work she has accomplished in such a short amount of
\ntime,\u201d said ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. \u201cNicky has led ADI with strong vision, energy and
\npassion. She has always remained focused on the important and collaborative work that helps us build
\ncommunities that are equitable, welcoming and resilient. We are thankful for her leadership and wish
\nher the best in her newest endeavor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hylton-Patterson was hired as ADI\u2019s first director in December 2019, after ANCA received funding in the
\nNew York State budget to support leadership and program development for the Initiative. Established in
\n2015 as a volunteer-run group of nonprofit and community leaders dedicated to advancing strategies to
\ncreate a more welcoming and inclusive Adirondack Park, the Initiative has achieved significant reach,
\ngrowth and impact under Hylton-Patterson\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
Hylton-Patterson said her decision to leave ADI was driven by her wish to be closer to family and help in
\nthe care of her mother. She said that over the last three years, the Initiative has built a strong program
\nstructure and engaged collaborators across the North Country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe deeply in ADI and its mission to make the Adirondack North Country a more welcoming and
\ninclusive place for ALL New Yorkers and visitors. This majestic place MUST be protected for future
\ngenerations who will continue the work we have begun \u2014 to chart a future where human diversity is as
\nrevered, respected, and sustained as biodiversity,\u201d Hylton-Patterson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud of the strides ADI has made over the last few years to increase understanding, compassion
\nand action around issues of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging,\u201d she added. \u201cMy successor
\nwill have the privilege to work with a team of hard-working staff, dedicated partners and committed
\nvolunteers who are driven to make positive change in their communities. I remain committed to those
\nwonderful people and to supporting those efforts to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the
\nregion. Moreover, I look forward to returning to the \u2018Dacks on a regular basis to hike, camp, and just
\nplain soak up the pristine majesty that is the Adirondack Park.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Hylton-Patterson\u2019s leadership, ADI has become well established and recognized in the region,
\nhaving developed and implemented a number of successful initiatives including its Emerging Stewards
\nProgram, Community Policing Initiative, Cultural Consciousness Trainings and a Business Welcoming
\nMicrocredential pilot program. ADI has built strong partnerships with organizations and community
\nleaders to grow diversity, equity and inclusion awareness in North Country communities and build a
\nsense of welcoming and belonging for all who wish to live, work or travel here.<\/p>\n
During her time with ADI, Hylton-Patterson received Adirondack Wild\u2019s 2020 Wild Stewardship Award for
\n\u201cinitiating and elevating difficult conversations about race, shared power, and influence in the
\nAdirondack region\u201d and an award from Adirondack Council in 2021 for \u201cmaking the Adirondack Park
\nmore welcoming, safe and inclusive for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the day Nicky was hired to lead the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, she has been a tireless
\nadvocate for advancing the dialogue, energy and action around inclusion, diversity, equity and justice in
\nthe North Country,\u201d said Rocci Aguirre, Deputy Executive Director of the Adirondack Council and a
\nfounding member of ADI. \u201cThat she has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time speaks to
\nher warrior spirit, her leadership, and her grace under pressure. It is bittersweet to see Nicky leave, but
\nshe leaves the North Country a better place for her time and work here. And she leaves ADI in a strong
\nposition to continue the work she has started. We wish Nicky only the best on her next adventure.\u201d
\nHylton-Patterson has accepted a position in Brooklyn, N.Y. as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,
\nand Belonging at Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York \u2014 a human services nonprofit
\nfocused on improving the well-being of children, families, and individuals with developmental disabilities
\nacross New York City and Long Island. She will begin in her new position in late October.<\/p>\n
The job description and application deadline for the ADI Director position will be posted on the ANCA
\nwebsite at www.adirondack.org later this month.<\/p>\n
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
\nacross northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses,
\nand equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value
\nin local communities.<\/p>\n
The Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI) exists at the intersection of environmental and transformational
\njustice, working to make the Adirondacks a more welcoming and inclusive place for both residents and
\nvisitors while ensuring a vital and sustainable Adirondack Park for future generations.<\/p>\n
Attached: one (1) PDF and one (1) photo<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of ANCA: Adirondack Diversity Initiative Director Nicole Hylton-Patterson accepts
\nAdirondack Wild\u2019s Wild Stewardship Award in December 2020 outside ANCA\u2019s offices in Saranac Lake,
\nN.Y<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 13, 2022 Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org, 518.891.6200 ANCA Seeks New Adirondack Diversity Initiative Director as Hylton-Patterson Steps Down Inaugural director built strong programs and partnerships during her tenure SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. \u2014 The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that Nicole Hylton-Patterson is stepping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n