Karen Yancey

Karen Yancey – Executive Director
Karen Yancey joined the Geneva Lake Conservancy as executive director in 2016. She has more than 25 years of experience serving on the boards and staff of Wisconsin and Illinois land trusts.

Karen has extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic plans for local and state land trust organizations. She has helped lead the protection of more than a 1,000 acres of land in Wisconsin and Illinois through conservation easements, land purchases and land donations. She has also led a variety of membership and communications programs aimed at increasing the “conservation culture” of a region. Her current and past positions include serving on the board of directors of the Door County Land Trust and Citizens for Conservation in Barrington, as well as serving as executive director of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust from 2010-2014.

Karen earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and has a master’s degree from Northwestern University.