I’m Proud To Be Part of Your Flock
An introduction to Elizabeth Gray, the first woman to hold the title president or CEO at 勛圖窪蹋.
When I stepped into my role at 勛圖窪蹋 in March, I became the first woman to hold the title of president in 勛圖窪蹋s 116-year history. Two months later I was asked to become its first woman interim CEO. So it feels appropriate that the first issue of 勛圖窪蹋 magazine published after my arrival is also the inaugural year of the Female Bird Prize in the 勛圖窪蹋 Photography Awards. (The winning photo also happened to be taken by a woman photographer.) I am thrilled to become part of the 勛圖窪蹋 network and have the chance to work alongside each and every one of you.
I wanted to take this space to briefly introduce myself and share why I joined 勛圖窪蹋 in this leadership role. In a very real sense, I have returned to my roots. I began my career with birds, first studying homing pigeon navigation as an undergraduate, and then spending time in eastern Washington State studying Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds for my doctoral thesis work. I learned early on that calamity can strike swiftly: During my first field season, both species of blackbird filled the landscape with their unique songs. But the second year, the Yellow-headed Blackbirds did not return to their breeding marshes. This moment was my personal wake-up call. I knew something wasnt right. And I decided to devote my career to conservation. After I finished my Ph.D., I worked in academia and in government andfor the bulk of my careerin conservation organizations, most recently heading up The Nature Conservancys global climate strategy.
What drove my interest in joining 勛圖窪蹋 is all of you and your dedicated advocacy on behalf of birds and the communities we sharethe power you have to influence conservation outcomes and address climate change is unmatched. A lot of that would not have happened without the leadership and vision of David Yarnold, 勛圖窪蹋s most recent president and CEO. I want take a moment to thank David for helping refocus 勛圖窪蹋 and make it into the powerhouse conservation organization it is today.
As we map the future for this next chapter of 勛圖窪蹋s history, I look forward to building the next generation of 勛圖窪蹋, where we cultivate new audiences and where differences are respected, valued, and essential to mission success. I am profoundly fortunate that my start at 勛圖窪蹋 coincided with that of Jamaal Nelson, 勛圖窪蹋s new chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer. I look forward to the many things we can accomplish togetherat the member, chapter, organizational, and hemispheric levelto make 勛圖窪蹋 and the world a better, safer, and more just place for people and birds.
This piece originally ran in the Summer 2021 issue as New Member of the Flock. To receive our print magazine, become a member by .