ACA, New England Names Next Executive Director
June 22, 2020
Lexington, MA—The Board of Directors of the American Camp Association, New England is pleased to announce that it has selected Michele Rowcliffe to serve as the Association’s next Executive Director. After a comprehensive, national search process, Ms. Rowcliffe emerged as the search committee’s unanimous selection from a talented, highly competitive pool of candidates.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michele to ACA, New England. Her experience as a professional and thought leader in camping will be a tremendous asset to the Association and our member camps and professionals as we navigate the future of camping. We are excited to have such a passionate advocate for camping and strategic leader take the helm. We are fortunate to have had a passionate and respected leader in camping for nearly 30 years and appreciate all that Bette Bussel has done to advance our work all these years,” said Betsy Kelder, President of the Association’s Board of Directors.
Ms. Rowcliffe joins the American Camp Association, New England from the YMCA of Greater Rochester, where she has served as Vice President of Camping Services since 2015 and was a member of the senior leadership team. An accomplished 25-year camping industry leader, Ms. Rowcliffe was responsible for the successful leadership of Camp Cory and Camp Gorham. During her time at the camps, she developed and executed strategic plans for both businesses. In addition, she has overseen campaign planning, soliciting philanthropic investment for capital development, facility enhancement, and the annual fund. In her capacity as Vice President, she served as the key liaison between the executive directors of the camp boards and the Association Office.
A member of the YMCA of the USA Overnight Camping Cabinet since 2015, Ms. Rowcliffe has performed a volunteer leadership role as Co-Chair of the Data and Analytics Committee (2016-2018) and Chair of the Staff Development Committee (2018-present). Ms. Rowcliffe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology from the State University College at Geneseo and has been a member of the American Camp Association since 1997. Ms. Rowcliffe will begin her new role on August 31st and will succeed Ms. Bette Bussel who has served as Executive Director since 1990. Conley Search Group of Boston, Massachusetts, led the search process that culminated in Ms. Rowcliffe’s appointment.
The American Camp Association, New England is a community of camp professionals who, for more than one hundred years, have joined together to share knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. ACA, New England accredits nearly 400 day and overnight summer camps in the six New England states.