The Durango Adult Education Center has announced that Susan Hakanson joined the center in August as executive director.

The public is invited to meet Hakanson at a welcome reception 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at DAEC, 701 Camino del Rio, Ste. 301.

Hakanson brings decadeslong expertise in the nonprofit and educational arenas. Previously, she directed the Ah Haa School for the Arts and the Southwest Community Leadership Collaborative and is a Senior Fellow at the American Leadership Forum.

A Colorado native, Susan brings extensive experience in public relations, grant writing, fundraising, communications, as well as project and fiscal management to the Center. She served on the Roaring Fork School District Board for nearly a decade with many terms as its president.

She attended Fort Lewis College and earned a Masters in public policy and leadership from the University of Colorado Denver.