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“We are witnessing a sea change in how governments and businesses engage with nonprofits for the protection of nature.”— Mark Tercek |
Becoming president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy is a humbling, daunting and exhilarating experience. Humbling because of the impressive footsteps I follow and the outstanding achievements already attained, daunting for the audacious goal we have before us, yet exhilarating because of the opportunity to advance conservation to such a necessary scale and scope.
Despite often dire news about the environment, I believe this is an exciting time for the Conservancy and its mission. We are witnessing a sea change in how governments and businesses engage with nonprofits for the protection of nature.
The world’s growing acceptance of the real threat of climate change, for instance, has created potential for conservation partnerships with the private and public sectors at a level unimagined before. Emerging carbon markets and “natural capital” investments, for example, could help shepherd the substantial resources needed to safeguard tropical forests around the world. Conservation is moving from the sidelines of global priorities to the world stage, as the intricate connections between environmental health, natural diversity, our economies and human well-being are better understood.
I truly believe no organization is better positioned to dramatically expand conservation’s reach and act as a catalyst for positive change than is the Conservancy. It’s why I wanted this job.
I’ve come from 24 years at Goldman Sachs, the international investment firm, which is remarkably similar to the Conservancy in many ways. Goldman is team-driven; the staff is similarly smart and highly motivated and sets clear and ambitious goals. I led Goldman’s Center for Environmental Markets and the Environmental Strategy Group, where I was proud to see a leading corporation step up to its environmental responsibilities.
When Goldman became involved in the conservation of a huge landholding in southern Chile, the Conservancy was our advisor. It was through that experience that I came to see the Conservancy’s unparalleled ability to forge partnerships with all sectors of society—partnerships that are bigger and more effective than the sum of the participants. I knew I wanted to apply my experience at an institution that makes such essential action for public good a reality; it’s where my heart—and my head—had taken me.
The welcome I have received from Conservancy staff, trustees and supporters has been exceedingly gracious. Continuity of vision is perhaps the Conservancy’s greatest attribute, and I am guided by those who preceded me. Stephanie Meeks, my immediate predecessor in this role, was a guiding force in the organization for nearly two decades. Her devotion, tenacity and humanity will continue to inspire me, as they clearly have inspired her colleagues.
Past president Steve McCormick ushered in a conservation methodology that is now being adopted by public and private institutions around the world. And he led the organization to establish a goal to protect at least 10 percent of every habitat type on Earth by 2015. It is that bold, determined goal that drives all staff of the Conservancy — now including me.
My 10-year-old son said he was proud of me when I began this job in July. All fathers want to be heroes in their children’s eyes, but I took my son’s praise as an even deeper sign of hope. For many in my generation, “conservationist” is a label we acquired as adults; for many of those coming after us, the commitment is already there.
Mark Tercek
President and CEO
The Nature Conservancy
Autumn 2008
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