Tracy Joseph Developing TLC to Keep the Triangle Green

By Betsy Kane
(from TLC News, August 2004)

Tracy Joseph arrives in her new role as TLC’s director of development with a solid background in fundraising at two noteworthy institutions, Duke University and The Nature Conservancy.

At Duke, she spent seven years in prospect research, ultimately serving as director of the department, where she supervised a staff of eight.

More recently, at The Nature Conservancy, Tracy played a front-line role in fundraising for nearly three years, while becoming increasingly aware that conservation was a cause about which she cared deeply.

That’s partly why she feels fortunate to be joining the TLC staff – and the feeling’s mutual, because the extensive skills Tracy acquired in her previous roles will be very useful at TLC.

As director of development, Tracy will manage capital campaigns, plan fundraising and membership programs, and undertake other special campaigns and fundraising events – all while managing the team members who help carry out these functions.

While her new job will combine aspects of her former roles, Tracy says, “TLC is a smaller, locally based organization, and I’m really looking forward to being part of a grassroots team.”

Born and reared in Texas, Tracy first arrived in the Carolinas as an undergrad at Clemson University, where she met her husband Jim. When he started his graduate work at Duke, they moved to Durham, their home for the last 11 years. They have two daughters, Addison, 7, who’s starting second grade this fall, and Audrey, who is 3½.

In addition to work and family, Tracy enjoys many different kinds of physical activity, especially jogging and hiking.

Tracy has high expectations for her work with TLC. She feels TLC is at a “watershed point” in its growth and she’s excited to help TLC succeed at the next level. What’s more, says Tracy, “The board members are great – they’re really supportive and personally involved.”

During her years in Durham, Tracy’s been amazed at the diverse natural areas hidden away in different parts of the Triangle. Of TLC’s protected lands, Tracy’s favorite is Johnston Mill Nature Preserve.

“It’s tucked away between Durham and Chapel Hill in such a way that you’re amazed to find out it’s there,” she said.

That’s a feeling that many TLC members will recognize from their own visits to natural areas.

Back