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Dansko Co-Founders Take Their Place Among Who’s Who at Stroud Water Research Center
The public outreach wing is dedicated to Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot.
AVONDALE, Pa.— Stroud Water Research Center recently dedicated the Cabot-Kjellerup Public Outreach Wing of its Moorhead Environmental Education Complex in honor of Dansko co-founders Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup, who have been generous, long-term supporters of the Center.
“When you look around at the names on the different spaces of this building, it’s like a who’s who in the history of Stroud Water Research Center,” said Bernard W. Sweeney, Ph.D., executive director of Stroud Center. “Our spaces are named for people who have a deep and personal connection to our work and mission. That’s why I’m really happy to see Peter and Mandy’s names on our public outreach wing because without their support, we wouldn’t be standing in this beautiful building today.”
He said Kjellerup suggested building the outreach and education complex after learning that the research wing had become too cramped, particularly after Stroud Center expanded its mission to include education and watershed restoration. Kjellerup also made the first generous donation to kickstart the building’s fundraising drive. He also insisted, along with Sweeney, that — in keeping with Stroud Center’s mission — the building would have to be LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified. Dansko’s headquarters, in West Grove, Pennsylvania, is LEED® Gold Certified. He encouraged Stroud Center’s board of directors and executive staff to settle for nothing less than LEED Platinum certification — the highest, most difficult level to achieve.
“I’m very humbled and grateful to Stroud Center for this honor,” Kjellerup said. He recalled that his commitment to Stroud Center began when he and Mandy, along with many Dansko employees, volunteered for tree planting events to protect the White Clay Creek that runs through the property. He added that he became enthusiastic about Stroud Center’s work when he learned about its exceptional research that informs freshwater stewardship and public policy.
Many Dansko and Stroud Center employees attended the festive unveiling ceremony on March 26. Kjellerup serves on Stroud Center’s board of directors and is an active member of its communications committee.
Dansko is an employee-owned footwear company and a founding member of B Corporation. The B stands for benefit. Member companies meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.