Today, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Board of Commissioners voted to hire Anamari Golf Dorgan, CPRE, as the agency’s new executive director following a competitive search process.

Dorgan has served as the District’s director of Community Engagement since 2017 and will begin her new role immediately.

“Anamari has earned the trust and respect of staff, partners, and the community through years of thoughtful leadership and dedication to the District’s mission,” said Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard. “We’re excited to see her lead the organization into its next chapter.”

As executive director, Dorgan will oversee District operations and administrative functions while supporting the Board of Commissioners.

“I am honored by the board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to continue working on behalf of our residents, board, and staff in an even broader capacity,” Dorgan said. “For more than a century, the Forest Preserve District has protected forests, prairies, wetlands, and other vital natural spaces within one of the region’s most developed counties while connecting people to nature through conservation, education, and outdoor recreation. I look forward to building on that strong foundation while helping advance the Forest Preserve District’s mission and long-term priorities for future generations.”

As director of Community Engagement, Dorgan has overseen the District’s seven education centers, resident and media communications, and visitor experience programs for the conservation agency. During her tenure, she has led major organizational initiatives involving public outreach, strategic priorities, cross-divisional coordination, and organization-wide communications and crisis response.

Throughout her career, Dorgan has led teams through change, managed complex public-facing operations, built productive partnerships, secured grant funding, and aligned mission-driven work with community expectations. She will help guide the Forest Preserve District as it advances major conservation, restoration, education, and visitor experience projects across DuPage County.

Prior to joining the Forest Preserve District, Dorgan served as executive director of the Rock County Historical Society and held leadership roles at The Morton Arboretum. Her earlier career included exhibition development and project leadership at The Field Museum.

Dorgan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from the University of Illinois, a certificate in nonprofit management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and the Certified Park and Recreation Executive credential from the National Recreation and Park Association.

Former Executive Director Karie Friling left the District in mid-May to become Sarasota city manager.