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Erika Rivers serves as the Executive Director of Wilderness Inquiry since November 2021, where responsibilities include providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the organization while managing resources to meet its long-term needs. Previously, Erika held various roles within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from August 2004 to November 2021, including Division Director for Minnesota State Parks and Trails, where management encompassed a $110 million budget and a workforce of 1,100 employees. Earlier positions encompassed responsibilities as Assistant Commissioner overseeing key recreational divisions and various project management roles, including planning for Lake Vermilion State Park. Erika Rivers earned a PhD in Conservation Biology and a BA in Journalism and Russian Area Studies from the University of Minnesota.