Joel Dunn

Joel Dunn has extensive experience in environmental conservation and management. Joel began their career in 1997 as a Seasonal Employee with the National Park Service. Joel then worked as an Ecology Research Assistant at Harvard University and a Tropical Ecology Research Assistant at the University of California, Berkeley. Joel also worked as a Zoological Research Assistant at NatureServe and as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

In 2003, Joel interned as a Policy Analyst at The Nature Conservancy, where they conducted policy research and attended Congressional hearings. Joel then served as an Environmental Fellow in the Office of Senator Joseph Lieberman, assisting with environment and energy issues.

From there, Joel held positions at Mayer Brown as an Environmental Analyst and at The Conservation Fund as the Coordinator of the Sustainable Chesapeake Program. In these roles, they focused on government relations, project management, and conservation advocacy, helping establish protection for national parks, wildlife refuges, and trails.

Since 2011, Joel has been the President and CEO of the Chesapeake Conservancy. In this position, they have spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the creation of national parks, monuments, trails, and marine sanctuaries. Joel is responsible for overall strategic and operational leadership, fundraising, staff management, and communication.

Throughout their career, Joel's work has centered on environmental conservation, technology, fundraising, politics, staff management, and operations. Joel'sexpertise and dedication have contributed to significant achievements in protecting and preserving natural resources.

Joel Dunn's education history begins with their completion of high school at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. Afterward, they attended The Evergreen State College from 1995 to 1999, where they obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology. Following this, Dunn pursued further education at Duke University, where they enrolled in two different programs. From 2002 to 2004, they studied at the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, earning a Master of Environmental Management degree. Simultaneously, they also attended the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, completing a Master of Public Policy degree. In 2010, Dunn went on to further enhance their knowledge and skills through an executive education program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, earning a certificate. Later, in 2019, they pursued executive education from Harvard Business School at Harvard University, where they received another certificate.