New CWF CEO Sean Southey Will Lead Critical Efforts Connecting Canadians to Nature
2024年8月16日 - 2:00AM
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is thrilled to announce the
hiring of Sean Southey as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
With a strong background in conservation leadership, Southey will
spearhead the organization's mission to connect Canadians with
nature and restore endangered habitats. His extensive experience in
international development, communications, and conservation sectors
will be instrumental in advancing CWF's top priorities, including
transformative education. He will officially take on his new role
on Sept. 16, 2024.
"During this critical time for wildlife in Canada,
Sean Southey's extensive experience and deep commitment to
conservation will play a pivotal role in advancing a conservation
ethic which is instrumental to supporting key species and their
habitats," stated Brad Leyte, President of the CWF Board of
Directors.
With more than 30 years of experience, Southey has
served in various roles, including five years with a provincial
environment ministry, 12 years with a United Nations environment
team, and ongoing involvement with non-governmental organizations.
Notably, he spent a decade as the President of PCI Media, a
conservation NGO based in New York City. He has received more than
100 awards for his outstanding work in reaching diverse audiences
with wildlife and planet-saving information.
Southey's appointment as CWF’s CEO follows the
retirement of Rick Bates, who served 16 years with the charity
leaving a significant legacy of growth and achievement. Bates
expressed his congratulations to his successor, highlighting
Southey's prior involvement with CWF as a volunteer member of the
Advisory Board of the CWF Canadian Conservation Corps youth
program. Having also worked alongside Southey on the Council for
the International Union for the Conservation of Nature for the last
eight years, Bates is confident in this transition and excited for
the future of CWF. Southey will continue to serve as the Chair of
the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Commission
on Education and Communication (CEC) for the next year until his
term is completed.
Looking ahead, CWF has outlined its key priorities
for the next five years, which include advancing nature-based
solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss while providing
Canadians with the training and resources to inspire
conservation.
“I am honored and excited to join CWF,” said
Southey, who will be based at the head office in Kanata, Ont. “The
work we do is so important for the people, wildlife and habitats of
this beautiful country. We have much to do but I am confident that
this amazing team and organization will continue to play its part
in helping build a true culture of conservation across Canada.”
CWF extends its gratitude to all the applicants
who expressed interest in the CEO position.
For more information about the Canadian Wildlife
Federation and its initiatives, visit
CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.
About the Canadian Wildlife
Federation
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national,
not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving
Canada’s wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all. By
spreading knowledge of human impacts on wildlife and the
environment, carrying out actions to conserve and restore species
and habitats, developing and delivering conservation education
programs, advocating for changes to government policy and programs,
and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future
in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more
information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.
Contacts:
Heather Robison Media and Community Relations
Officer heatherr@cwf-fcf.org 613-599-9594 x 212
or
media@cwf-fcf.org
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f20b7ee1-bc69-4430-80b2-b26d836c9ea7