Dana Risch kicks off 2025 as SICIM executive director

BEDFORD – Dana Risch became the Executive Director for the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) in the Fall.

Anthony Sipes, President of the all-volunteer Board of Directors, said the board chose to delay the announcement of Dana Risch’s role as our Executive Director until 2025.

“We thought with the new year, we needed to get the word out that SICIM hired Dana and let people know there is now someone to call and coordinate with on Invasive Species issues,” Sipes said now that she is settled into her position, the board is pleased to announce her hiring to the greater conservation community.

“Dana has been in the role a few months now,” added Sipes. “She is working closely with the SICIM board to continue the management of the state-wide Indiana Invasives Initiative (III) and oversee SICIM’s administration and Strategic Plan.”

Risch comes to SICIM from a diverse background with many on-the-ground and managerial experiences.  She has worked at Cope Environmental Center, Purdue Extension, and on the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, Park Boards, and many other volunteer and professional jobs, which made her a good fit for the executive director position.  

She lives in Union County and is an active community member on many boards and committees dedicated to conserving Indiana’s natural areas. Risch received a BA in Biology and minored in Environmental Science and Anthropology. Though she lives on the east side, she can meet state-wide with groups as needed.

Sipes is pleased to fill the Executive Director position. He notes, “SICIM is fortunate to have an outstanding staff. We have Dawn Slack serving as our Project Coordinator who is focused on grants and other special projects; and we currently have four regional specialists who are assisting Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) and landowners around Indiana.”