Last month, Mary Beth Brown joined the Freshwater Land Trust as our new Director of Communications! Mary Beth is an Alabama native and a graduate of Auburn University. After working in London for three years, she returned to her home state and transitioned from finance to nonprofit communications and development. We sat down and asked her a few questions about her background and what she’s most looking forward to in her new position.

Where are you from? How did you end up living in London?
I’m from Winfield, Alabama, but when I was eleven my family moved overseas. We spent two years in Japan and four years in England where I attended high school. After graduating from Auburn, I returned to England where I began my career at an investment bank in London.

Why did you decide to move to Birmingham?
After several years in finance, I began exploring other career options. I had always been passionate about the outdoors, which led to a developing interest in food and agriculture. And that’s how I stumbled upon a two-year fellowship at Jones Valley Teaching Farm here in Birmingham. I hadn’t planned on moving back to Alabama, but once my husband and I made the decision, it felt right! For me, Alabama will always be home.

What are you most excited about as our new Director of Communications?
I’m excited to tell the Freshwater Land Trust’s stories. Land and water conservation in Alabama is so important – and (as I’m learning) so complex! Our projects take lots of time, money, expertise, and strong partnerships. I’m excited to dive into those complexities and explore new ways of sharing our work with our wider community.

Can you share a couple of fun facts about yourself?
I spent two summers working in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. And I’ve always been a little scared of flying kites!

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