Interim Executive Director Dave Benson

Dave Benson is an organizational consultant, coach, and facilitator. He specializes in helping people and groups move from confusion and complexity to clarity and productivity. He was the executive director of the Damiano Center, interim CEO of the Lake Superior Zoo, and co-founder of The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog. He has served as board chair and as a member of several boards, and led planning initiatives and search committees for groups across Northeastern Minnesota and in Chicago.

Dave was educated at Gustavus Adolphus College, Yale University, and the University of Minnesota. He has a nonprofit administration certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and has completed training in the Blandin Community Leadership Program and the Anderson Center for Management and Leadership Development, plus many more.

Before his nonprofit leadership career, Dave taught English as a Second Language, working with students from over 40 different cultures. He has been birding in Duluth for over 30 years, and worked as the naturalist at Hawk Ridge, Gooseberry Falls State Park, and other fabulous places near Lake Superior.