Island Conservation
Penny Becker has extensive work experience in the field of conservation and wildlife management. Penny is currently working at Island Conservation, starting in 2020 as a Regional Executive Director and later being promoted to Vice President in 2021. In these roles, they have contributed to the development of a new strategic vision, managed budgets, and collaborated with various teams to increase funding and conservation impact.
Prior to their current position, Penny worked at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife from 2011 to 2020. Penny held multiple roles during their time there, including Policy Lead & Wildlife Diversity Manager, Listing and Recovery Manager, and Program Manager & Research Scientist. In these positions, they oversaw the conservation of wildlife, developed policy initiatives, managed staff, and strengthened partnerships to enhance recovery programs.
Before joining the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Penny worked as a Conservation Program Coordinator & Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution from 2005 to 2010. There, they led the recovery of endangered African wild dogs and secured grants for the project.
Additionally, Penny has experience as a Community Conservation Consultant at the Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership in 2004 and as a Project Assistant at the Smithsonian Institution in 2003.
Overall, Penny Becker's work experience demonstrates their expertise in conservation strategy, budget management, policy development, and collaborative partnerships.
Penny Becker holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management from the University of Pretoria, which was obtained in 2010. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology, General from Willamette University in 2003. Additionally, Penny completed a program in International Research and Study on Tanzanian Communities and Wildlife Management at the School for International Training in 2002. Penny also has certifications in Adaptive Leadership from the National Conservation Leadership Institute, a Certificate in Fundraising from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and completed training in Conflict Transformation Capacity Building from the Center for Conservation Peacebuilding. Lastly, Penny has expertise in International Public and NGO Management from Cornell University - Cornell Institute for Public Affairs.
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Island Conservation
Our world today is experiencing a major wave of species extinctions; some estimates are 1,000 times greater than historical rates. When we lose species, ecosystems unravel, and we see and feel the direct effects on our world, livelihoods, and well-being. Islands represent the greatest concentration of both biodiversity and species extinctions. Island species are incredibly unique, yet they are highly vulnerable to novel disturbances. Invasive species are a leading cause of extinctions on islands and of biodiversity loss globally. As the threats of extinctions are highest on islands, so are our opportunities to save species at-risk. We will lose island species forever, unless we act to save them now. We believe biodiversity conservation is essential for the well-being of all humanity. To us, safeguarding biodiversity means preventing extinctions, protecting ecosystems, and sustaining critical resources on which people and nature rely on. We envision a future in which our world’s most at-risk island animals, plants, ecosystems, and communities are thriving, safeguarded from damaging invasive species and thus more resilient to other emergent conservation threats. Removing a primary threat—introduced invasive vertebrates—is one of the most critical interventions for saving threatened plants and animals and restoring island ecosystems. This is why we partner with individuals like you and organizations to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. Since our founding in 1994, Island Conservation and our partners have successfully restored 63 islands worldwide, benefiting 1173 populations of 468 species and subspecies.