Colette MarquarDtExecutive directorKnown for her visionary leadership at the national and local levels of the camp industry, Colette works to ensure that camp is more accessible to all. Colette guides the nation’s largest federally-funded camper services program, providing resources and training that assists camps in successful accreditation processes while delivering comprehensive and responsive professional development opportunities.
Prior to joining ACA Illinois as the Executive Director, Colette was a nonprofit camp director for several camps throughout the Midwest. She has held various volunteer and professional roles within ACA and the professional association world, and before joining the staff team Colette served as President-Elect on the ACA Illinois Board of Directors. At the core of Colette’s work with ACA Illinois is serving her community and transforming the lives of others through the power of camp. Awarded with several honors for her work in innovative professional development, strategic leadership and community cultivation, Colette’s most valued award was received at camp when she was just seven years old. Colette was presented with the “Spider Buddy” award for her willingness to remove spiders from the platform tents of her fellow campers. As a native Midwesterner Colette feels right at home in Chicago, but she also enjoys traveling the region while getting to know all the ACA Illinois camps she works with across the state. Colette is an experienced speaker and trainer on multiple topics including: leadership, workplace culture, DEI, risk management, crisis planning, and strategic planning. She also enjoys training frontline staff on the importance of camp safety, why Accreditation matters, the long term benefits of working at camp in your career, and program development. Accolades Forty Under 40 from the Association Forum Dare to Lead from the Women in Camp Collective Emerging Professional Award - ACA Illinois Special Recognition for Innovative Professional Development - ACA Illinois Special Recognition for Community Drive Professional Development - ACA Illinois Marcy & Bob Brower Award for Professional Development - Mid States Community To learn more, you can reach Colette at colette@acail.org. |