Sally Nankivell has announced that she will be leaving her job as executive director of the Cook County Visitors Bureau on June 14.
Periodically the Cook County Visitors Bureau sends out “email blasts”— updates for the people on the organization’s email list—sharing news of events in Cook County. On May 16, the Cook County Visitors Bureau sent out such a notice in honor of its third anniversary. Included in the message from CCVB Executive Director Sally Nankivell was the announcement that she is leaving her job. Nankivell’s last day will be Friday, June 14. She wrote that she was accepting a position at The Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis.
Nankivell wrote, “As some of you know, when I moved here 13 years ago I left behind a career in advocacy and human rights. Although it was a difficult decision, I could not pass up this incredible opportunity to move back into a field that is my passion.”
Looking back at her work with the board members of the CCVB to create a countywide marketing entity, Nankivell said, “…I am so pleased with all that we have accomplished. Just a few years ago a countywide collaborative marketing organization seemed an impossibility. And yet here we are, achieving so much more by collaboratively promoting Cook County tourism communities than any one entity could have accomplished on their own. We are realizing the promise of combining resources and truly working together.”
Nankivell added, “Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you over the past several years to promote tourism in Cook County. I love it here, and look forward to being a frequent visitor.”
Before she leaves the CCVB, Nankivell is sharing what she has learned about social media in a Cook County Higher Education Business Network Luncheon at Birch Terrace on Wednesday, May 29, 11:30 a.m. Nankivell will be joined by Mike Prom of Voyageure Canoe Outfitters. The cost of the luncheon is $15 and reservations can be made by contacting Jim Boyd of Higher Ed at jboyd@northshorecampus.org or by calling 218-387-3411.
A few days after her announcement, on May 18, Nankivell sent another message to the CCVB email list, announcing the executive director vacancy. The employment opportunity note explains that the CCVB “seeks an experienced, dynamic professional to provide leadership to its members, volunteers and staff in fulfilling its mission.”
According to the announcement, the executive director provides leadership for the CCVB board of directors. The board includes representatives from the various tourism groups in Cook County—the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association, Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, Gunflint Trail Association, Lutsen Mountains and Grand Portage tourism. In addition, the executive director provides staffing and leadership for three of those entities—the Gunflint Trail Association, the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association and the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association.
Anyone interested in applying for the position may obtain a complete position description by e-mailing Nankivell at sally@visitcookcounty.com or call (218) 387-2788. Resumes are being accepted through Friday, May 31.
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