Sandy Obodzinski
Named Next Executive Director

Sandy Obodzinski has been named the next president and executive director of Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary. Susan Duvenhage, who has served as executive director for more than eight years, announced her intention to retire September 30 earlier this year.

Obodzinki will join Owl’s Hill from Humanities Tennessee where she has served as the development and communications director since 2019. She brings a depth of nonprofit leadership, strategic management and community building skills coupled with a passion for nature and Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary.

Obodzinski is an accomplished philanthropy professional having raised more than $26 million for five organizations over the past 18 years with responsibility for revenue budgets from $1.2 million to $5 million.

“In Sandy we’ve found someone who has a deep, personal love for nature and track record of taking philanthropy programs to new phases of growth, ” said Owl’s Hill Board Chair Dane Andersen. “We look forward to her leadership as we bring to life our Master Plan for the next chapter in the Owl’s Hill story to continue to inspire and expand on the sense of wonder that all visitors experience upon exploring Owl’s Hill.”

During her six-year tenure with Humanities Tennessee, Obodzinski led the strategic direction and plan implementation for all fundraising and communications activities and legislative advocacy, and managed relationships with individual, foundation and corporate donors.

"For me, it's a dream to return to nature professionally with a place that's meant so much to me personally,” she said. “ I'm excited to build on Susan's legacy and the community contributions that shaped the Master Plan. What an honor to lead Owl's Hill into our next era of growth, connecting people with nature and inspiring their curiosity."

Prior to Humanities Tennessee, Obodzinski served as president and CEO of Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, leading the strategic growth of the organization following the founder’s retirement. She has also served as Director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee and Director of Development for the Nashville Ballet, growing major giving for both organizations. She is a former Owl’s Hill board member and a graduate of Leadership Middle Tennessee.

Obodzinski holds a Master of Liberal Arts and Science from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University. She has a passion for nature, especially birds and spring ephemerals.