Future of Conservation Leadership
Throughout the course, learners will build a Leadership Survival Kit tailored to a real-world conservation challenge of their choosing. The final presentation will demonstrate applied systems thinking, strategic planning, coalition-building, and leadership communication—and serves as a professional portfolio piece to share with boards, funders, and partners.
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Overview
Future of Conservation Leadership is an 8-week, 15-hour cohort experience that equips conservation professionals with the frameworks, tools, and practice needed to influence institutions, shape policy, and mobilize cross-sector action.
Through a blend of asynchronous learning and live interactive sessions, participants will:
- Map complex conservation systems to identify leverage points and adaptive leadership strategies.
- Design a Theory of Change and OKRs that link initiatives to measurable conservation outcomes.
- Develop strategies for driving organizational change, navigating internal politics, and communicating vision with clarity and credibility.
- Integrate environmental justice principles into conservation leadership, defining safeguards and equity-centered outcomes.
- Build coalitions and cross-sector partnerships, mapping stakeholders and aligning incentives to move from vision to action.
- Strengthen authentic leadership practice with resilience strategies, growth planning, and peer feedback.
LIVE SESSIONS
This program includes a total of 6 weekly live online sessions. All sessions will occur on Wednesdays 10:00–11:00 AM (Arizona/MST) on the following dates:
- May 20, 2026
- May 27, 2026
- June 3, 2026
- June 10, 2026
- June 17, 2026
- June 24, 2026
This program was developed with subject matter expertise from:
- Brittany Ajroud, Director, School of Conservation Futures Partnership, Conservation International
- Percy Summers, Senior Director of SCF Partnership, Conservation International
- Michael Schoon, Professor in the School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures
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Who this course is designed for:
Conservation Program Directors & Senior Managers – Practitioners who already oversee teams and projects but want to expand their strategic influence, shape organizational priorities, and secure support from boards and funders.
Policy Advisors & Government Liaisons – Professionals navigating complex ecological, political, and institutional landscapes.
NGO & Nonprofit Leaders – Leaders charged with building coalitions, aligning diverse stakeholders, and sustaining momentum for conservation initiatives in complex institutional environments.
Sustainability & ESG Executives – Corporate leaders integrating conservation goals into core business strategies.
Philanthropy & Impact Investment Professionals – Funders and program officers seeking tools to identify leverage points, assess equity impacts and support systems-level conservation solutions.
Mid-Career Conservation Practitioners – Experienced professionals moving into higher-impact roles, where success depends on their ability to influence strategy, mobilize resources, and lead through uncertainty.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Lead adaptively and strategically in complex ecological, political, and organizational systems.
- Design and implement equity-centered conservation strategies using systems thinking, futures analysis, and institutional realities.
- Build and sustain multi-stakeholder coalitions through inclusive engagement, power analysis, and trust-building techniques.
- Create systems maps and strategic frameworks (theory of change, OKRs, scenario planning) to identify leverage points and pathways to impact.
- Align your leadership identity and values with organizational strategy for long-term influence.
- Communicate a compelling vision that mobilizes diverse audiences toward conservation goals.
- Produce an actionable Leadership Survival Toolkit to advance a real-world initiative in your organization or region.
Practical skills you will develop
This program equips learners with vital skills to thrive in today’s complex workforce. Key skills include:
These skills apply to these careers
Natural Sciences Manager
Plans and directs scientific research, including tech integration for environmental programs.
Political Scientist
Researches and analyzes energy policies and advises organizations and governments on regulatory and strategic energy issues.
Instructors
Arizona State University
Contact information
Have additional questions?
Please reach out directly to Tye Waggoner ([email protected]) for assistance with the programs content.