ADK Names Cortney Worrall as Executive Director

March 27, 2025—Lake Placid, NY—The Board of Directors of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cortney Koenig Worrall as its new Executive Director.

Worrall is a seasoned nonprofit leader with robust experience in conservation, development, fundraising, and organizational operations. Throughout her career, Worrall has held various leadership roles at organizations including the National Parks Conservation Association, and most recently, Worrall served as President and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance. Worrall brings a deep connection to public lands and is committed to ADK’s mission. Worrall’s educational background includes a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Mount Holyoke College.

Worrall will lead the organization’s efforts, supporting and guiding programs focused on membership, outdoor experiences, education, conservation, and publications; with work spanning multiple locations including the Cascade Welcome Center, Heart Lake Program Center, and Johns Brook Property.

“I am excited to join ADK at this important moment, and for the opportunity to bring my skills in conservation, advocacy, organizational development, and fundraising to one of the most important conservation leaders in New York State,” said Worrall. “I grew up in the outdoors camping, hiking, skiing, and swimming which built my love of the outdoors and a passion for environmental advocacy before it was more mainstream. The explosion of interest in the environment and the outdoors in younger generations is one of the major changes I have seen in my career. Among the many opportunities for ADK, I look forward to tapping into stewarding younger generations as one part of the growth and evolution of ADK. The opportunity to bring this to the Adirondacks, the place where my children learned to cross country ski and where I have forged wonderful memories with my family, is thrilling and I can’t wait to start this journey with the very talented and dedicated team at ADK.”

Board Chair Mickey Orta shared, “We are thrilled to bring Cortney on as our Executive Director, her passion, experience and knowledge of the outdoors will lead the organization for many years to come.”

Search Committee Chair Paul Leinwand shared, “The ADK is such an important resource for all of us who rely upon and enjoy public land, and we are thrilled to have Cortney work with our amazing staff to lead the organization going forward.”

The board would like to thank Julia Goren, who served as the Interim Executive Director since last summer, and who for the last twenty years has had a positive impact on the Adirondacks and ADK.

The selection of Worrall is the culmination of an executive search process led by the board’s Search Committee, which was supported by Koya Partners, a recruiting firm that specializes in mission-driven executive search.

About ADK

Based out of the Adirondack Park in New York State, ADK is a leader in providing outdoor education, promoting responsible recreation, and organizing stewardship experiences. Since 1922, the organization has worked to increase access to the backcountry by building trails, conserving natural areas, and developing a stewardship community that supports the ethical and safe use of New York’s outdoor spaces. A member, donor, and volunteer-supported organization, ADK reaches across New York through its 25 chapters to inspire people to enjoy the outdoors ethically.