Karen Poiani

Karen Poiani has a diverse work experience spanning several organizations. Karen is currently the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors at Planet Women! since 2020. Prior to that, they served as the Chief Executive Officer at Island Conservation starting from 2016. In the same year, they also worked as the Principal at Karen Poiani Consulting. From 2013 to 2015, Karen was the Director of Evaluation & Learning at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. From 2010 to 2013, they held the position of Chief Conservation Strategy Officer on the Global Executive Team at The Nature Conservancy. Karen has also held various roles at The Nature Conservancy, including Director of Science, Director of Conservation Learning, Director of Conservation Programs (Hawaii State Program), Senior Conservation Ecologist (Asia Pacific Region), and Director of Landscape Ecology. Before that, they worked as a Research Associate at Cornell University, a Scientist at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and a Graduate Student at Virginia Tech.

Karen Poiani obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Environmental Science from Stockton University from 1979 to 1984. Karen then pursued a Ph.D in Ecology at Virginia Tech from 1985 to 2001.