November 2020 Edition | Volume 74, Issue 11
Published since 1946
Dr. Lauren Ward Hired as Director of Conservation Without Conflict Coalition
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Conservation without Conflict Coalition, the Wildlife Management Institute is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Lauren Ward as the new Coalition Executive Director. Dr. Ward, who has a Ph.D. in Forest Resources and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia, is currently employed with the Forest Landowners Association as General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs. Lauren has demonstrated her ability to lead diverse interests to achieve common conservation goals and possesses a keen knowledge of the legal and practical approaches to enhance the viability of at-risk species.
Lauren has a proven ability to work with varied interest groups and private landowners at a regional and national scale. As Executive Director, she will work with all members of the Coalition to advance collaborative approaches to conservation that avoid or minimize conflicts while keeping working lands working. In this role, she will help define the direction and priorities of the coalition; foster partnerships between government agencies, landowners and stakeholders; track accomplishments; and communicate successes to members of the coalition and key audiences.
The Wildlife Management Institute will serve as the administrator of the Executive Director position and will employ Lauren as a WMI contractor. Steve Williams, President of WMI, stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity to enhance current efforts to deliver collaborative conservation across all American landscapes. Dr. Lauren Ward’s education, experience, and commitment to landowner engagement will launch the Conservation without Conflict Coalition into the future. WMI is excited to play a role in that effort.”
Lauren will be joining the Coalition in her official capacity in the near future.