The Conservation Finance Network (CFN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah “Deb” Davidson as its new Executive Director, effective January 1st, 2027. Deb succeeds Peter Howell, who will step down after three and a half years leading the Network.
Deb joins CFN with over two decades of experience building partnerships, leading complex organizations and networks, securing transformational funding, and advancing landscape-scale conservation initiatives across North America and the globe. Most recently, she served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, where she worked for a decade growing the organization and developing programs to advance multiple efforts in North America and around the world to advance connectivity and landscape-scale conservation outcomes. Deborah also brings to CFN philanthropic experience and an infectious enthusiasm for growing collaborative conservation efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss. She is based in Bozeman, MT.
“We are thrilled to welcome Deborah at this exciting juncture in the Conservation Finance Network’s evolution,” said Renee Kivikko, Chair of CFN’s Steering Committee. “Her deep passion for conservation, combined with her demonstrated track record developing networks and building organizations, makes her the ideal leader to fulfill our mission of advancing land and resource conservation by expanding the use of innovative and effective funding and financing strategies.”
In this role, Deb will be responsible for implementing CFN’s new Strategic Vision, which is focused on deepening and expanding engagement with CFN’s network and its role in growing the practice of conservation finance. She will also work closely with CFN’s staff to produce its landmark Conservation Finance Boot Camp and other in-person and remote training initiatives, including its Nature’s Returns webinar series and its partnerships with public agencies, and one-on-one coaching with partners. Watch for updates in our E-newsletter.
“I have been a huge fan of the Conservation Finance Network and could not be more excited to be joining the team. Having worked closely with philanthropic and federal funding partners, I appreciate the tremendous amount of conservation that has been accomplished with their support. But there is a significant funding gap that must be filled if we are to reverse biodiversity loss, protect nature, and provide open space and healthy lands for communities,” said Deb, a former staff member at the Wilburforce Foundation. ”Conservation finance mechanisms, including tapping capital, represent an opportunity to complement philanthropy and there is growing momentum and recognition that their use must be expanded and made more accessible. I look forward to leading CFN’s efforts in accelerating creative and scalable funding and financing strategies with CFN’s current practitioner network and beyond.”
Deborah will begin work at CFN part-time on November 9, working closely with Peter and CFN staff to ensure a seamless leadership transition prior to beginning full-time on January 1st.
CFN is a fiscally sponsored project of Multiplier, a California nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports initiatives focused on protecting and fostering a healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.
Conservation Finance Network Steering Committee
Renee Kivikko, Chair
Margaret Bowman
Brad Gentry
Jessamine Fitzpatrick
JP Gibbons
Cherie Kearney
Rex Linville
Carl Palmer
Peter Stein
Staff
Alyssa Doman
Katie Michels