Audubon Washington Selects Dr. Deborah Jensen as Executive Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Deborah Jensen as Executive Director of Audubon Washington.
​
Deborah has over 25 years of executive experience leading conservation, education and scientific organizations.

​While CEO at the Woodland Park Zoo she led a successful public-private partnership with the city of Seattle, expanded the zoo’s field conservation programs to 35 projects worldwide, created the zoo’s first sustainability plan, and oversaw the opening of Zoomazium the first Leed Gold certified building at any zoo. 

As VP for Conservation Science for The Nature Conservancy, she led a team of scientists helping to identify and steward networks of lands and waters that could sustain biodiversity in the face of multiple ecological changes. Earlier in her career she worked for California Department of Fish and Wildlife and had boots on the ground in each county of that state.  

“A naturalist since childhood, I’ve been lucky to have a career where I could first study nature as a scientist, and later lead an organization that connected people with nature and inspired them to take action to save species and habitat,” said Deborah Jensen. “Joining the Audubon Washington team gives me the opportunity to combine both of these.  I look forward to working with the great staff team, chapters and partners to create lasting conservation and policy solutions for birds and people in our state.”

Deborah currently serves on the Puget Sound Leadership Council and the Board of Climate Solutions. She is a past-chair of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

She has an MS and PhD in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley. When not birdwatching or hiking she might be found tasting or creating hand-crafted chocolates with her husband.

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.
earn more about Audubon Washington here.

About Valtas Group

Valtas Group works as Interim Executive Directors, supporting organizations in times of transition and helps organizations navigate uncertainty during leadership change.  
 
Valtas Group also leads the search process in partnership with the board and staff leadership, as consultants for recruiting and search to support organizations identify the ideal Executive Director or leader.
​
Valtas Group partners with board members and senior nonprofit leaders on a variety of strategic consulting assignments. Valtas Group has a variety of comprehensive resources to guide your transition needs.  Contact us to learn about executive interim and placement services.