Krystyna Wolniakowski has been tabbed to be the new Executive Director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Wolniakowski has been serving as the Gorge Commission’s interim executive director since Darren Nichols announced his resignation earlier this year. Commission Vice-Chair Bowen Blair praised her performance during the past five months “as a highly effective and collaborative leader who managed the agency during this interim period with a calm demeanor and extensive outreach to partners, the Governor’s offices of both states, and with elected officials.” Wolniakowski led the Western Partnership Office of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Portland for more than 14 years as Regional Director, creating and managing conservation grant-making programs in seven Western states. Her work included the launch of the Washington State Community Salmon Fund, the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Fund, and the Oregon Governors Fund for the Environment.