It is with a balance of sadness and excitement that Bike Santa Cruz County shares the news that current Executive Director Janneke Strause has announced her departure from the organization, effective June 2019, in order to pursue graduate education in Community & Regional Planning.
“Janneke has been an incredible asset to Bike Santa Cruz County in her almost three years as Executive Director,” says Board Chair Matthew Greenfield. Adds Board Member Joel Smith, “We have become a stronger organization thanks to Janneke’s vision and hard work”. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Janneke served as Bike Santa Cruz County’s Events and Membership Coordinator.
During Janneke’s tenure, Bike Santa Cruz County:
Developed and started to implement a new strategic plan for 2019-2023
Successfully advocated for continued build-out of the Rail Trail and other game-changing bicycle infrastructure projects in the City and County
Expanded the youth-focused Earn-a-Bike program from Watsonville to Santa Cruz and our Bike Club to Live Oak
Increased the organization’s budget by 30%
Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Moved to a new, much larger office
Strause reflects upon her time at Bike Santa Cruz County: “Since 2016, I’ve grown tremendously as a professional and as an advocate for a better bicycling environment thanks to my wonderful mentors and advisors on the Bike Santa Cruz County Board of Directors. In the midst of political pressures and challenges, I’m proud to say Bike Santa Cruz County and its Board of Directors has maintained a consistent vision of a Santa Cruz County where people of all ages and abilities feel comfortable riding bikes for daily trips.”
The Bike Santa Cruz County Board of Directors sincerely appreciates the significant amount of time that Janneke has provided with her notice to aide in the transition in finding another driven, qualified ED. Janneke and the Board are working collaboratively to structure the transition with ample time for overlap between the outgoing and incoming ED. “We are grateful to have the luxury of having Janneke overlap with, and provide training for our new ED,” says Board Chair Greenfield.
The Board of Directors extends a heartfelt thank-you to Janneke for her tireless work to advance bicycling culture and infrastructure in Santa Cruz County. The Board wishes her success in graduate school and all her future endeavors.
We are seeking a visionary Executive Director (ED) with the ability to increase our impact and expand our reach as we strive to make Santa Cruz an even better county for bicycling. Our ED will help Bike Santa Cruz County achieve our goals and administer our programs; inspire, support, and oversee staff; and further develop our membership base and our relationships within the broader community. For more information about the position, visit bikesantacruzcounty.org/executive-director-job-description.