Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Welcomes New Board of Trustee Members and Appoints New Chair

Natalie Erdman has 35 years of experience in urban planning and is a passionate advocate for community development and affordable housing.

Throughout her career, Natalie has made significant contributions to the city of Madison. Natalie was Executive Director of the Madison Community Development Authority and went on to serve as the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development for the city from 2016 to 2021. Two of Natalie’s most notable endeavors are her championing of Bayview, an affordable housing community located in the historic Triangle Neighborhood, as well as the strategic expansion of Madison’s affordable housing program. Natalie chairs an ongoing fundraising campaign for the Bayview community center, which is part of the larger Bayview redevelopment. Recently she also acted as interim Metro Transit General Manager for Madison and has held positions at notable organizations such as Heartland Properties, Travelers Reality Investment Co., Citicorp Real Estate, and Forward Community Investments.

“I've always been inspired by the beauty and wonder of nature,” Erdman noted. “My husband Dan and I have been members of and donors to The Nature Conservancy for many years. I joined the Board of Trustees so that I can further support the work being done to protect land, water, and wildlife. I also like the people, both staff and trustees. They’re smart, interesting, and fun.  It's a bonus to do good work with good people!” 

Jim Schleif has served on the board since 2020 and was a donor to the organization for decades prior to that. A real estate broker with Shorewest in Milwaukee, Jim has also been active in LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS advocacy for many years, serves on the Greater Milwaukee Foundation board, and is involved in his community in many other ways in addition to his love of nature and conservation causes.

“One word that springs to mind to describe our chapter, our donors, trustees, and staff is: Champions,” Schleif said. “I have never worked with a more intelligent, caring, fun, interesting, diverse, resilient, tenacious, and innovative group. And that is just what nature needs: Champions.”

Schleif plans to use his time as Board Chair to amplify TNC’s work within and focus on innovation, visiting and protecting Wisconsin’s special places, collaboration across international borders—as with Wisconsin’s partnership with the TNC in Colombia—public policy, and continuing efforts to build more equitable approaches to our conservation work.

“Although we are all different in many ways, I cherish and celebrate having all voices at our table,” Schleif went on to say. “I believe diversity is not defined by a statute or a policy manual. There are so many ways we are diverse as constituents. Our lives and work will be much more enriched if we come together and share our perspectives while giving each other space to listen and learn from one another. With grit and determination, let's continue to be bold, innovative champions. I look forward to continuing to give nature my all.”