By: CLiGS

Kate Fritz, an alumna of Virginia Tech’s Executive Master of Natural Resources(XMNR) inaugural cohort at the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability (CLiGS), was recently named Executive Director of the South River Federation, a nonprofit that serves to protect and preserve Maryland’s South River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. As a proponent of sustainability, this career move will allow Fritz to continue making an impact at the local level and in the larger watershed.

With an extensive background as a sustainability professional, Ms. Fritz has several years’ experience working as a sustainability planner and policy manager, including work on land-use planning and water quality issues. She previously served as Sustainability Coordinator for the Planning Department in Prince George’s County, MD, with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a position she held throughout her time in the XMNR program. As the Associate Project Manager for Prince George County’s Plan Prince George’s 2035,  Ms. Fritz helped create a policy framework for the county’s sustainable growth for the next 20 years.

Ms. Fritz also has substantial experience as a volunteer, reinforcing her knowledge of environmental science and policy issues, especially in relation to watershed restoration and the health of the South River. She is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy, where she is a founding member and certified Master Watershed Steward from the inaugural class in 2008.

In addition to her Executive Master of Natural Resources (XMNR) degree from Virginia Tech, Ms. Fritz also holds a masters degree in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland University College, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Ms. Fritz is a certified Maryland Qualified Professional Forester and a LEED Green Associate certified professional.