Impact: Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center
Organization Overview
Founded in 2009, Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center is a nonprofit operating foundation located on 240 acres of forest and farmland along the Snoqualmie River in Carnation, Washington.
Oxbow advances its mission by providing immersive, hands-on educational experiences, growing and donating certified organic produce to strengthen local food security, and cultivating and distributing Washington native plants throughout the region.
Through its integrated programs, Oxbow connects people of all ages to the natural world and highlights the vital relationship between conservation, native plants, and sustainable food systems.
The Challenge
Oxbow had grown rapidly over the past several years and was delivering meaningful environmental impact, but the pace and frequency of change left the organization strained. When the Valtas team began its work, the organization was facing these challenges:
- Leadership Gap – Oxbow experienced two consecutive short-term executive transitions, signaling a need for the Board to pause and reassess leadership needs before launching another search. The existing leadership model no longer matched the evolving needs of the organization or provided the expertise required for the next stage of growth.
- Strategic Drift – After a period of rapid expansion, Oxbow found itself pursuing numerous initiatives stretching beyond its core mission. The Board wanted to refocus and clarify its strategic priorities.
- Staff Morale – Staff reported feeling burned out and stressed by leadership turnover. Management systems were underdeveloped, trust in executive leadership was strained, and employees lacked structured opportunities for professional development.
- Operational Challenges – The teams at the organization had become increasingly siloed, making it harder to collaborate and move work forward efficiently. Decision-making lacked clarity and the absence of formal HR systems added additional strain.
Our Approach
Valtas was retained to provide an Interim Executive Director to stabilize day-to-day operations and lead the organization through a transformation effort. A Strategic Advisor to the Board was also placed to support high-level strategic planning. Together, they were engaged to deliver three core areas of work:
Strategic Update
Provide clarity on Oxbow’s mission and develop a strategic framework to guide future decision-making.
Organizational Assessment & Targeted Operational Improvements
Assess structure, culture, and systems, and implement focused improvements to strengthen people and processes.
Leadership Stabilization
Deliver steady leadership during the interim period; rebuild trust with staff and prepare Oxbow for a successful long-term leadership transition.
The Outcome
The efforts of the Valtas Team created greater stability, cohesion, and operational excellence across the organization.
Strategic Clarity
Oxbow emerged with a clear strategic framework, a focused mission, and an aligned Board and staff.
Organization-Wide Restructure
Departments were redesigned around core programs, helping break down silos, strengthen collaboration, and improve the organization’s ability to deliver on its mission.
Controlled Costs and Systems
Costs were reduced by 10%, with improvements in financial reporting & systems, and implementing new HR, IT, and Project Management systems.
Rebuilt & Developed Leadership
A new four-person leadership team was recruited and integrated, while the broader management team was upskilled through targeted professional development and coaching.
Improved Staff Morale
Staff reported improved trust in leadership and higher morale, with satisfaction reaching 75%+ and attrition declining meaningfully during the interim period.
After 20 months, the Interim Executive Director turned the organization over to its permanent leader and reported that Oxbow was not only operating more efficiently but delivered record mission impact: serving 2.5× more people than originally targeted, donating 1.5× more food, and achieving successful fundraising outcomes.
The new leader was successfully recruited by the Valtas Executive Search Team and inherited a strong foundation for sustained success.
Client Perspective
“From the very beginning, Caitlin Pontrella dove right into the work that needed doing at Oxbow. Our Board is grateful for the leadership team she built and the time she invested with us as our Interim Executive Director.”
Keith Vernon
Oxbow’s Treasurer
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