Andrew Bowman is the new president and CEO for Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 1947 and “dedicated to the protection and restoration of imperiled species and their habitats in North America,” has appointed Andrew Bowman as president and CEO of the organization. Defenders announced Bowman’s selection in May, noting a return trip for Bowman, who began his conservation career with Defenders of Wildlife in Oregon over 20 years ago, at the law firm Perkins Coie LLP.

"I am thrilled to be re-joining Defenders of Wildlife, an organization that has been leading wildlife conservation for more than 75 years,” Andrew Bowman said. “We are at an inflection point in human history, standing at the crossroads of the climate and biodiversity crises. I am taking the helm at Defenders to raise a clarion call for wildlife as these crises bear down and to lead an exceptional team to make a difference today, tomorrow and for decades to come.” 

Bringing more than 25 years of conservation and nonprofit management experience to Defenders, Bowman previously served as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s program manager for the environment, and later was president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance, a network of nearly 1,000 community-based conservation organizations. His accomplishments include winning major victories in Washington, D.C., including markedly increased federal conservation funding and legislation that ensures the integrity of the federal tax incentive for conservation easement donations.  

“Andrew’s varied leadership experience combined with his conservation expertise in the political, legal and advocacy arenas, make him an exceptional president and CEO for Defenders of Wildlife,” said Mark Caylor, Chair of Defenders’ Board of Directors. “We are excited Andrew’s career has brought him full circle back to Defenders and look forward to the energy and savvy he will bring to advancing our conservation mission.” 

“My career has been focused on advancing bedrock conservation laws and protecting places for wildlife to thrive, which makes Defenders of Wildlife a natural next step,” Bowman added. “Defenders is uniquely positioned within the conservation community to lead with scientific and legal prowess to ensure our future is teeming with wildlife. I’m so grateful to be diving in at this crucial time for our environment and planet.”

Bowman joins Defenders during a pivotal time when there are an unprecedented number of congressional attacks on the Endangered Species Act, the country’s preeminent conservation law. In the 118th Congress alone, there have been more than 87 anti-ESA bills and proposals. 

Bowman holds a J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, an LL.M. in environmental and natural resources law from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, and a M.A. in city and regional planning from the University of California at Berkeley.