New CEO of National Conservation Organization Sets Course for Scaling Nature Based Solutions With High Profile Leadership Team

WASHINGTON, February 15, 2022 /3BL Media/ - The American Forest Foundation, the national conservation organization making a meaningful conservation impact by supporting America’s family forest owners, today announced its growing leadership team, which will be led by the organization’s new president and chief executive officer Rita Hite, effective January 1, 2022.

Backed by a dedicated and passionate staff, the American Forest Foundation’s leadership team is instrumental in guiding the development of innovative market-based solutions that address the most pressing conservation issues of today in ways that support America’s family forest owners, namely, issues such as combating climate change, mitigating catastrophic wildfires and improving wildlife habitat.

“As I begin serving in my role as head of the American Forest Foundation, I am thrilled to be working alongside a team of highly accomplished executives as we grow our capacity for impact,” said Rita Hite, president and chief executive officer of the American Forest Foundation. “The issues we are tackling, particularly around unlocking the power of family forests as a climate solution, are complex and urgent. They require diverse, smart teams putting their heads together every day — and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

The American Forest Foundation’s leadership team includes:

William Martin, Chief Operating Officer
William Martin has been promoted from executive vice president of operations to chief operating officer. As COO, Martin leads all daily operations and organizational strategy implementation for the American Forest Foundation. His experience spans “boots on the ground” forest management for family landowners, landscape-level conservation planning and community engagement, and co-founding a technology startup that was acquired by the American Forest Foundation in 2018. Martin’s personal passion for forests and land stewardship has also extended to volunteer roles as a founding director of the Medway Community Forest Cooperative and as past president of the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association.

Glynnis Breen, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Glynnis Breen has been promoted from vice president of communications to chief marketing and communications officer. As CMCO, Breen leads all aspects of the American Forest Foundation’s national marketing, strategic communications, positioning and brand strategy, driving measurable growth and return on investment. Prior to joining the American Forest Foundation in 2020, she spearheaded global outreach initiatives, oversaw engagement for Explorers and secured international partnerships for the National Geographic Society where her work raised visibility and led to scientific discovery and on-the-ground conservation gains.

Valerie Craig, Senior Vice President, Conservation
Valerie Craig has recently been hired as senior vice president of conservation. In this role, Craig uses her experience to engage America’s family forest owners in the creation of products and programs that achieve impact in a way that is inclusive and equitable. Prior to joining the American Forest Foundation in 2021, she worked at the National Geographic Society as the interim chief science and innovation officer where she spearheaded efforts to deliver impact-focused programs and grants related to global conservation, history and culture.

Nathan Truitt, Senior Vice President, Business Development
Nathan Truitt has been promoted from vice president of strategic partnerships to senior vice president of business development. As SVP of business development, Truitt leads the American Forest Foundation’s partnership strategy and philanthropy strategy for all programs and products, with a strong emphasis currently on the rapidly expanding Family Forest Carbon Program. He began his career working in international education and development, first as a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkmenistan and later as a program, country and regional director in Uzbekistan, Serbia and Kosovo.

Michael Reed, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy
Michael Reed has recently been hired as vice president of policy and advocacy. In this role, Reed leads the American Forest Foundation’s public policy strategy, and works to build collaborative relationships with both federal and state lawmakers. Before joining the American Forest Foundation in 2021, he served as chief of staff to Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, J. (D-GA) where he specialized in agriculture and rural development issues. He has also served as vice president of marketing for the United Negro College Fund and vice president of government affairs for the American Express Company.

Martin, Breen, Craig, Truitt and Reed round out the American Forest Foundation’s already strong leadership team which includes Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Technology Strategy Alastair Jarvis, who is a former video game developer and a co-founder of WoodsCamp, and Vice President of People and Culture Dawn Simmons, who has held global HR leadership positions for several multinational organizations.

The American Forest Foundation is actively recruiting a chief financial officer to champion its financial health, support current growth and prepare for future impact. Please visit the People page on AFF’s website for more information about our leadership team, staff, board of trustees and career opportunities.

About the American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation is a national conservation organization that works with a broad coalition of partners to support America’s family forest owners in addressing our nation’s most pressing conservation challenges around carbon sequestration, wildfire reduction, wildlife habitat, clean water, sustainable wood supplies and support for rural communities