Olivia Stockman has assumed the role of Staff Director for the Northern Plains Resource Council, a political activist group focused on conservation and agriculture, founded in 1972. Teresa Erickson preceded Stockman in the role and has retired from the position after thirty-three years of leadership. The Staff Director is the “Chief of Staff” position at Northern Plains and is responsible for overseeing Northern Plains’ entire program, directing all other staff, coordinating the organization’s leadership model of member-controlled grassroots democracy, and seeing to Northern Plains’ financial and organizational health.

Before taking over as Staff Director, Stockman previously served as Northern Plains’ Director of Organizing and Campaigns. She joined the organization in 2008, directing a team of community organizers that has doubled since then. Prior to joining Northern Plains, Stockman brought extensive nonprofit experience having worked for the New Mexico League of Conservation Voters, Service Employees International Union, Montana League of Rural Voters, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils.

Erickson has officially retired as Staff Director but will continue to work part time for the organization managing the organization’s History Project, which aims to document and preserve Northern Plains’ legacy.