| Message from Board President, Lisa Billings After a thorough search and interview process involving Oregon Wild Staff and Board, followed by an exhaustive review of the qualifications of our pool of extremely talented and accomplished candidates, we’re proud to announce that Quinn Read is Oregon Wild’s new Executive Director! For those who have been involved with Oregon Wild for a while, Quinn’s name is undoubtedly familiar. She served as the organization’s wildlife coordinator over a decade ago, and in the intervening years has built an incredible resume as a conservation leader at Defenders of Wildlife, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Bird Alliance of Oregon. We’re thrilled that she has “come home” to Oregon Wild to take the reins of this historic organization we all know and love. Quinn will be guiding Oregon Wild through its next chapter which will undoubtedly be full of challenges as well as highlights, and the mission and vision for our organization will remain steadfastly intact under her leadership. Please join me in welcoming Quinn aboard! Lisa Billings Board President |
My conservation career began a little over eleven years ago, sitting around Oregon Wild’s conference table. I was interviewing for the role of Klamath Program Coordinator with Conservation Director Steve Pedery and the late, great Wendell Wood. I had moved to Portland seven months earlier, hoping to make a career transition, but I struggled to gain a foothold in the conservation community. I remember being so nervous, feeling that this was the opportunity—and the organization—I’d been waiting for. An organization with fearless advocates and a remarkable track record of securing victories for nature against all odds.
Oregon Wild took a chance on me, for which I will be eternally grateful. It was here that I learned what it means to be an effective advocate: to hold myself and our leaders accountable, to collaborate, to fight, to laugh, and, most importantly, to love and care deeply for Oregon’s wildlife and wild places. Since then, I’ve worked to protect Oregon’s wildlife and their habitats at both state and national organizations. Yet through all of these experiences, Oregon Wild has always been my advocacy north star.
Returning now as Executive Director feels like coming full circle—and, as Lisa said, like coming home. I’m honored to step into this role and humbled to inherit it from Sean Stevens. It’s a privilege to carry forward the legacy of the many people who have made Oregon Wild the powerhouse for nature that it is today. And just as Oregon Wild took a chance on me, I am committed to supporting the next generation of conservation advocates. Because we are going to need them.
As we face four years under a Trump Administration, I can think of no place I’d rather be than Oregon Wild. This team cares so deeply and is so damn good at what they do. And our work is only possible because of all of you—our community of volunteers, members, and supporters.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but we won’t be walking it alone. I’m ready to dig in and excited to work alongside all of you. Here’s to the next fifty years of keeping Oregon wild—together.
Quinn (Quynh Dien) Read
Executive Director
