View the Future hires Yachats resident as its first executive director

YACHATS – The board of a 20-year-old Yachats-based land conservation group has hired Gretchen Dubie of Yachats as its executive director and the organization’s first paid employee.

View the Future announced Dubie’s hiring on Tuesday; she starts her job Aug. 5.

The conservation group decided last year it needed to hire a director to provide day-to-day leadership, enhance long-term sustainability, improve fundraising, and work with other state and coastal land conservation groups. Previously all those duties were parceled out among its board members and two co-chairs. The organization fundraised for the position, including a $25,000 grant from the city of Yachats.

In announcing Dubie’s hire, View the Future said she has a 30-year career in non-profit organizational leadership, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment and interest in environmental conservation.

“Gretchen brings a wealth of experience and passion to our mission of conserving and stewarding lands for scenic views, wildlife habitat, environmental health, cultural preservation, and recreation in the Yachats area,” the organization said.

From 2009 to 2021, Dubie was the executive director of the Oregon Supported Living Program in Eugene, where she led a 200 employee, non-profit agency supporting adults with developmental disabilities. During her tenure, the organization increased reserves from $50,000 to $2.1 million and “played a crucial role in board development, donor cultivation, strategic planning, community outreach, collaborations, and legislative activities.”

Dubie moved to Yachats in 2020 and in December 2021 was offered the job as Yachats city manager, but turned it down after the city council voted 3-2 to offer her a contract after a chaotic 10-month council-organized search.

Most recently, Dubie had worked for the Lane Council of Governments.

“I am honored to be joining the hardworking and dedicated board members of View the Future, as their first executive director, Dubie said in a statement. “Yachats is our treasure that we must protect, and I want to support View the Future in doing that. Threats of logging trees and eradicating our landscapes are looming, and the impact this has on our community’s ecosystems is devastating. Now is the time to be proactive in this community effort. I hope to galvanize support for View the Future from private landowners and citizens to lead the way in protecting our natural resources.”