Audubon Expands Its Government Affairs Team with Internal Promotion, External Hires

Washington, DC (December 19, 2018)—Today, the National Audubon Society announced the creation of a new position, Vice President, Political Affairs and Executive Director for Audubon Action Fund, and the addition of three new professionals in Government Affairs. “It is an exciting time to be at Audubon,” said Sarah Greenberger, Senior Vice President, Conservation Policy. “With centers in 41 states, 450 local chapters and 1.4 million members, Audubon has a grassroots that is passionate about protecting birds and the environment we share with them. With these new hires, our members’ voice in policy making at home and here in the nation’s capital will grow in impact.”

Justin Stokes joined National Audubon Society in 2017 as Senior Director, Government Affairs, following 10 years in Congressional offices and campaign and communications work for leading Republicans.  Beginning this month, he will serve in the newly created position of Vice President, Political Affairs and Executive Director for Audubon Action Fund. “Justin took our Hill outreach to an incredible level in a very short period of time,” said Greenberger. “We are so lucky to have him at the helm of our new Political Affairs department and the Audubon Action Fund.”

Audubon is welcoming a talented team in December that will shape and support our work to engage decision makers to protect birds now and into the future:

Jesse Walls, replaces Stokes as Senior Director, Government Affairs. Walls comes with 13 years of experience on Capitol Hill, most recently as Director of Member Services for Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) during his time as the Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Before that, Walls was Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) and previously worked for the late Senator George Voinovich (R-OH).

Libby Marking, assumes the role of Senior Manager, Government Affairs. Marking also comes from Capitol Hill, most recently in the position of Legislative Assistant to Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and earlier in her career was Research Assistant to former Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD). In between her Hill positions, Marking was advisor to the Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior and a Legislative Associate at Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, a bipartisan government affairs firm in D.C.  

Tykee James, is stepping into the Coordinator, Government Affairs position. Before coming to Audubon, James served as Executive Legislative Assistant and Environmental Advisor to Pennsylvania State Representative Donna Bullock (D-Phila). In summer of 2018, James was Fellowship Coordinator for the Alliance for Watershed Education at Audubon Pennsylvania, which followed his 2017 summer fellowship there as part of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River. Previously, James held positions at the Philadelphia Clean Air Council and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

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. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.

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Contact: Anne Singer, asinger@audubon.org, 202-271-4679