Audubon Taps Global Climate Leader to Drive Bold Policy Agenda

NEW YORK – The National Audubon Society announced that Christine Dragisic, a widely respected leader in global climate and conservation policy, has joined the organization as Managing Director for Global Policy. A game-changing addition to Audubon, she is leading the ambitious policy agenda called Healthy Birds, Healthy Planet to advance bold solutions equal to the scale of the urgent conservation challenges we face.

In her new role, Dragisic will spearhead initiatives that drive policy innovations and mobilize the Audubon community in support of protections for birds, people, and the planet. To accomplish these goals, she will leverage Audubon’s unique role as a connector and convener across the political spectrum, and at all levels of society.

“Audubon is focused on the highest-impact opportunities for lasting conservation results, and Chris’ leadership is a transformational addition to that effort,” said Marshall Johnson, Chief Conservation Officer. “Chris brings a rare blend of policy expertise, diplomatic skill, and trusted credibility to guide our work to build a more resilient, biodiverse, and sustainable future—for birds and for all of us. She will strengthen Audubon’s position as a leading authority on key conservation policy issues, while elevating our leadership and influence at every level of government.”

“Public policy and funding are key to commonsense conservation and climate solutions, and I am thrilled to be advancing these efforts at Audubon, an organization known for its longstanding and effective nonpartisan work,” said Dragisic. “Together we will strive to create the healthy planet that birds and people need to thrive.”  

Dragisic joins a team of six senior leaders reporting to Audubon’s Chief Conservation Officer and oversees the work of teams responsible for policy and government affairs in the United States and across the hemisphere.  

Dragisic is an accomplished global policy leader with a track record of impact at the highest levels of government and international institutions. She played a key role in negotiating the Paris Agreement and advancing  significant forest carbon initiatives, including the LEAF Coalition, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes. She spent over a decade at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Change, where she helped shape global climate policy under both Democratic and Republican administrations. She also served at the White House, coordinating efforts on forests, clean energy and climate change with U.S. agencies, as well as with the governments of Canada and Mexico. Her deep experience extends beyond government. She previously worked at Conservation International as Director for Agriculture, Biofuels, and Forestry, and at the World Bank, where she led biodiversity, protected area, forestry, and climate change initiatives across Latin America. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

About Audubon  

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety. 

Media Contact: 

Heather Barlow, heather.barlow@audubon.org