The Nature Conservancy Welcomes New Chief Philanthropy Officer

ARLINGTON, VA, June 3, 2009 — Today, The Nature Conservancy announced that veteran Conservancy fundraiser Rebecca Girvin-Argon has joined the organization’s executive team as Chief Philanthropy Officer, effective immediately.

“Rebecca’s passion for nature and proven record of relationship-building makes her the right person to lead the fundraising efforts for our global, results-focused organization,” said President and CEO Mark Tercek. “She is a tireless and credible force for connecting donors’ personal philanthropic visions with the mission, strategy and values of the Conservancy.”

In this role, Girvin-Argon leads the Conservancy’s philanthropy programs, which annually raise $400 million, one of the largest such programs outside a university setting in the United States. Rebecca oversees a staff of 150 in Gift Planning, Principal and Major Gifts, Institutional Giving and Advancement Services. She and her team also are responsible for the organization’s $1.6 billion Campaign for a Sustainable Planet, which currently is more than half way to its goal and is the largest private fundraising campaign ever undertaken for conservation. Rebecca serves as the Conservancy’s philanthropy spokesperson and key leader for the organization’s field philanthropy programs in 50 states and a number of international geographies.

“The Nature Conservancy is a conservation leader and innovator, working at a scale that can really make a difference for our planet,” said Girvin-Argon. “It’s an honor to serve an organization so grounded in conservation science and truth-tested through our work in local places with local people. I’m excited to continue to support and advance the Conservancy’s mission at the executive level.”

Previously, Girvin-Argon served as the Conservancy’s Director of Principal and Major Gifts, based in Arlington, Va., and the Conservancy’s Associate State Director for Advancement in Chicago, Illinois. She joined the Conservancy in 2001.

Prior to joining the Conservancy, Rebecca’s experience in philanthropy and non-profit management included service as Vice President for External Affairs at the Chicago Botanic Garden; Executive Director of the Museum Center Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Director of Annual Programs at The Art Institute of Chicago. Her areas of expertise include philanthropy, marketing and membership, and non-profit development and governance. She has served as a Director of the Association for Fund Raising Professionals, Chicago Chapter, and on the Board of the Development and Membership Committee of the American Association of Museums. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in English and German from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.

She and her family plan to become residents of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in summer 2009. They enjoy traveling, hiking, bird-watching and diving.