Jennifer Bassignani joined CLF in 2010 as the Administrative and Programs Assistant. Jen B. has over a decade of experience running the finances and administrative coordination of medical offices in Durango, CO. Jen is proficient in over a dozen computer software systems and has an extensive understanding of business operations, records management, project planning, accounting and bookkeeping. As an office manager, Jen even lead campaigns to “green” office practices including moving from a traditional to a paperless office. Jen B. has lived in Durango for 18 years and enjoys running, fishing and exploring the four corners. jen@conservationlands.org

As a third generation Nevadan, Senior Development Associate Mackenzie Banta brings a homegrown passion for The West’s wildlands. She has degrees in art history, museum studies and festival & event management from the University of Oregon. Before coming to CLF, Mackenzie worked for six years at the Nevada Wilderness Project as their Development Director helping to myth-bust that Nevada is not a brown, barren wasteland. Prior to working in conservation, she worked as an event planner with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and taught yoga. Mackenzie’s zeal for people and conservation also extends to kundalini yoga, cycling, skiing, paddleboarding, canning, knitting, and her husband Dean and dog Juno.mackenzie@conservationlands.org

David Bobzien is CLF’s High Desert Program and Digital Director. After a career in public and private sector digital communications, David opened the Foundation’s Reno office in support of efforts in the high desert region, and guides its online communications to build support for the National Conservation Lands. Avid fly angler, novice chukar hunter, runner, backpacker, snowboarder, Eagle Scout, DJ… David enjoys life to the fullest in the Great Basin. He holds a BA in Government & Politics from George Mason University, a Master of Public Administration in natural resources and public lands policy from Boise State University, and serves as an Assemblyman in the Nevada Legislature. He and his wife Lisa have twin sons: Luca Carson and Finnegan Walker- named after two of Nevada’s desert rivers. david@conservationlands.org

Betsy Buffington is CLF’s Vice President for Programs. Betsy is a veteran community organizer with more than twenty years of experience helping non-traditional, local citizens maximize their collective power to protect the cultural, historic and natural resources of the West. She cut her teeth helping conservationists, local ranchers and retired Air Force staff stop a bombing range in the Owyhee desert of southern Idaho (now a recent addition to the National Conservation Lands) and went on to work on campaigns that included helping a local ORV club advocate for Wilderness expansion in northern Wyoming, and concerned citizens secure the designation of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and continue their advocacy through the creation of the Friends of the Missouri Breaks. Betsy is based in Bozeman, Montana but spends more than half her time working in the field, the other half of her time is spent wandering the wild places of the Northern Rockies. betsy@ourconservationlegacy.org

Michael Degnan joined CLF in 2011 as the National Monuments Campaign Director. Michael came to CLF after serving for three years as Sierra Club’s legislative advocate on wilderness issues and forest policy. During that time he advanced campaigns to protect diverse places ranging from National Forest roadless areas to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Earlier, Michael worked for Alaska Wilderness League and helped lead grassroots efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Michael has a BA in Philosophy from Haverford College that he seldom uses and is a lifelong resident of the DC metropolitan area. When he’s not riding his bike through DC traffic, Michael likes to canoe, hike, and remember the days when he played soccer. michael@conservationlands.org

Sam Goldman, California Program Director joined the Foundation in 2011. Previously, Sam coordinated California wilderness campaigns for the Wilderness Society for four years. Prior to working on wilderness designation campaigns, Sam worked as a consultant in Washington, D.C. where he directed field operations and online advocacy campaigns for national environmental groups. His first conservation campaign was the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Sam also has extensive experience on electoral campaigns. A member of the volunteer leadership team of Wilderness Torah, Sam is a member of the Wexner Heritage Program. A graduate of Bates College and Green Corps, field school for environmental organizing, Sam is an avid backcountry skier, rock climber, and hiker. sam@conservationlands.org

Scott Jones is the CLF’s Southwest Program Director. Prior to joining CLF, Scott led the Sierra Club’s efforts to protect Arizona’s newest units of the National Conservation Lands while guiding the development of a new model of friends groups. He served as Membership Director for the Arizona League of Conservation Voters, overseeing member recruitment, retention and publications in addition to field and phone canvasses. He has worked to organize students on behalf of progressive and environmental causes, coordinating state operations for both Campus Greens and the Sierra Student Coalition. Scott studied public administration, political science and nonprofit management at Arizona State University. An Arizona native, he lives in Phoenix with his wife Kimberly, with whom he shares two important passions: ASU football. scott@conservationlands.org

Meghan Kissell is the National Monuments Campaign Communications Director. Before joining CLF, she worked for Spitfire Strategies helping non-profit organizations develop clear messaging on a range of issues including health care and conservation. As the person in charge of grassroots at the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of University Women, she’s worked to demystify the process of making one’s voice heard on legislative issues. She’s also been the ringmaster for several three-ring circuses – more commonly referred to as lobby days. Meghan holds a Masters of Social Work from Howard University and political science degree from Allegheny College. Meghan lives in Virginia where she plays far too much soccer for her own good. She and her husband Jason are proud owners of a rescue pit bull, Lucy. meghan@conservationlands.org

Danielle Murray is the Policy Director at CLF. Danielle graduated from Vermont Law School in 2007, earning her J.D. and a specialized Masters Degree in Environmental Law. While at VLS, Danielle was a member of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and a Dean’s Fellow. Prior to joining CLF, Danielle worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Mary M. Johnston in the Superior Court of Delaware and as a student clinician for the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic in South Royalton, Vermont. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Minor in Biology in 2002. Danielle lives in Durango, CO where she enjoys skiing, hiking, drinking local beer and hanging out in the dog park with her two dogs Bella & Buddy. danielle@conservationlands.org

Brian O’Donnell joined CLF as Executive Director in 2007. Previously, Brian was the National Public Lands Director for Trout Unlimited (TU). Brian has also worked for The Wilderness Society where he led campaigns resulting in the congressional designation of the Black Rock Desert and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Areas, and dozens of new legislated Wilderness areas throughout Nevada. Brian was the co-founder of the Nevada Wilderness Coalition, Wilderness Support Center, and West Virginia Wilderness Coalition and in the early 1990s Brian served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Wilderness League. Brian earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Rollins College in 1993. Brian lives in Durango with his wife Melyssa, daughter Kara and dog Paco. brian@conservationlands.org

Charlotte Overby is CLF’s River Coordinator. Before joining CLF, she was Communications Director and Acting Executive Director of the Nevada Wilderness Project. For three years she worked in Patagonia’s creative services and marketing department where she honed branding and story-telling skills—skills she has found useful when advocating for wild places and conservation issues. She has an MA in journalism and worked as a freelance writer, editor and project manager for various natural history publications and non-profits. In 2001, she was co-founder and director of Missouri River Relief, an organization dedicated to stewardship and picking up trash from the lower Missouri—and still picks up odd things from roads and waterways. She plays the double bass and likes bluegrass, klezmer, hardingfele, stringband, old timey, swing, and all forms of hillbilly music. char@conservationlands.org

Danielle Sandstedt is the Development Director for CLF. Danielle began her career at Planned Parenthood in 2001 where she specialized in database management, direct response marketing, special events and major gifts. As the Annual Fund Director, she worked with team members to complete three annual fund campaigns ranging between $3-4 million and a $10 million capital campaign. Danielle was a leader in Planned Parenthood’s national efforts as a member of the Development Officers Council’s Steering Committee, Membership Task Force and Young Development Officers Group. Danielle graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2001 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Education. Danielle enjoys a latte in the morning, wine in the evening, relaxing on the beach and recreating in the outdoors with her family, friends and pup, Bela. dsandstedt@conservationlands.org

Julie Thibodeau is CLF’s Finance and Special Events Director. Julie joined CLF as the Administrative Assistant in February 2008, since then she has been promoted to the Finance and Special Events Director.  Prior to joining the Foundation, Julie worked as the SW Colorado Regional Emergency Preparedness Planner for Public Health for eight years where she developed and implemented emergency response plans through trainings and actual events.  During her tenure, Julie also served as the Chair for the SW Emergency Planning Committee. Julie graduated from the Lesley College/Audubon Expedition Institute in 1999, earning her MS in Environmental Education. She graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science/Wildlife Biology in 1995. Julie enjoys spending time outside of work with her Husband Dave and their daughter McCartney. When she is not working or being a mommy she loves to mountain bike and run marathons. julie@conservationlands.org

John Wallin joined the Foundation in 2011 as our Senior VP for Programs. John previously worked in the private and the non-profit sectors. As founding Director of the Nevada Wilderness Project, he helped change the conservation landscape in that state by spearheading campaigns for wilderness and national conservation area protection for more than 3 million acres. He also helped transform that organization into a national leader on the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy development on public lands. John previously worked at Patagonia and the Earth Conservation Corps in Washington, D.C. He has a BA from American University and an MA from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He frolics even when people are watching and lives in Durango with his wife Carrie. john@conservationlands.org