Leadership changes come to Lombard Town Centre, Historical Society
The Lombard Historical Society is Sarah Richardt's happy place.
Before taking on the role of Lombard Town Centre executive director in 2013, Richardt worked at the historical society for four years. Her passion and interest for history hasn't changed.
"I go home at night and I look at silly blogs and websites about history, about historical sewing or the movement of house museums," she said with a laugh. "I keep going back and reading because it's what I like to do."
Earlier this month, the historical society announced Richardt will be returning, this time in the executive director role, to fill a void that was left when former Executive Director Natalie Troiani unexpectedly resigned at the end of March.
"It's like the perfect combination of hobby and career," Richardt said. "I'm not sad about leaving Lombard Town Centre because I know there is so much collaboration that happens between the two. I'll still be involved in the business community. I'm not going that far."
Richardt said she came to Lombard Town Centre armed with a list of things she wanted to accomplish and feels she completed many of those tasks. She is pleased to see the number of vacancies in the downtown area steadily decrease and is glad she helped better organize the group's finances, which in turn streamlined an annual audit process.
One of Richardt's biggest plans for her new position is amping up fundraising efforts for the historical society to help ensure its programs are "top-notch" and facilities are well maintained and protected.
She also wants to improve the Sheldon Peck Homestead so it is known nationally. The homestead recently received a top honor from the American Association of State and Local History, so Richardt believes it is on the right track, but she wants it to become a "premier" Underground Railroad site.
"We want to make sure people come to see that and we make the history relevant there," she said.
Richardt said she has been transparent with the board about her recent hunt for a full-time job. The Town Centre position is part-time, 30 hours a week.
"It made it a lot easier for them," she said. "They knew and they had their feelers out."
Her successor is Elmhurst resident Sally Ruecking, who has lived in DuPage County for 40 years and has extensive experience in the nonprofit world.
Ruecking started her new position Tuesday. She said she is pleased to see the group already is in the process of creating a strategic plan and appreciates that the board took a chance on letting an outsider run the organization.
"I think that's actually a good thing because I'm very familiar with the town, but I can kind of look at it with a fresh set of eyes," she said.
Ruecking previously worked for the American Lung Association and served as president and CEO of a small mental health nonprofit called Beyond OCD. She spent 18 years in the corporate sector and has experience creating advisory boards, building a volunteer base and getting young professionals involved, among other strengths.
"I really like to build a community wrapped around a mission and a cause," she said.
Ruecking said she is looking forward to getting out in the community and introducing herself to business owners and residents. In addition, she wants to work on distinguishing what makes Town Centre unique and sets it apart from the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lombard Historical Society.
Ruecking also is looking forward to making the organization more viable and visible, starting with an update to the website and also hopes to begin expanding the volunteer base, perhaps by reaching out to more high school students and service groups.
"I really encourage people to write to me and tell me what their thoughts are," she said. "If they've got any suggestions for how Lombard Town Centre can engage in the community I am all ears."