Alaska Wilderness League Statement On Cindy Shogan’s Retirement

Statement from Betsy Loyless, chair of the Alaska Wilderness League board, announcing Cindy Shogan’s retirement and Alaska Wilderness League transition. After 18 years of fighting for the wild lands and waters of Alaska, Cindy Shogan announced her retirement to the board of the Alaska Wilderness League as of March 3, 2017.

The board is unanimous in its praise for Cindy’s leadership, vision and accomplishments, which have been critical to protecting Alaska for nearly two decades. Under her leadership, the League has defeated numerous Arctic Refuge drilling proposals in Congress; helped delay and eventually stop Shell’s plan to drill in the Chukchi Sea; secured millions of acres of protection in the Western Arctic and Arctic Ocean; and, obtained a new wilderness-oriented Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Arctic Refuge. Under her tenure, the League has grown from a staff of 4 to 20 and its membership from 250 to 100,000.

While Cindy’s retirement represents an important passage for Alaska Wilderness League, the mission, strategy and commitment to protecting Alaska’s important places remains constant. Cindy leaves behind a hand-picked, well-trained team, passionate about continuing her important legacy.

Kristen Miller and Lexi Keogh will serve as interim directors as the board engages in a search for a new executive director. Lexi Keogh will take the lead on internal affairs and Kristen Miller will lead on external affairs.

Under Kristen and Lexi’s capable leadership, the League will continue its fight in the coming months for Alaska’s special places which are under increasing threat. As the board engages in it search for a new executive director, we are deeply grateful for Cindy’s years of service and confident in the transition of leadership to the League’s interim directors.