The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Mary Kaufman-Cranney, CFRE, has joined The Nature Conservancy as the new Director of Philanthropy for Washington. Kaufman-Cranney has more than 20 years of experience in a chief development role. She comes to the Conservancy from the Seattle Opera, where she directed a $32 million fundraising campaign and increased their annual fund of $10 million. Prior to that she served as senior vice president with the YMCA of Greater Seattle, where she built their development program over 20 years and raised more than $100 million for programs and capital projects.

She is a Washington native and stems from a family with deep roots in Washington’s natural lands. Her great-grandparents homesteaded in the area northeast of Colville, and all but a small portion is park land today. She’s an alumni of Washington State University. She currently lives in Seattle’s North Beach neighborhood with her husband and two teenage boys.

"I’m excited to be able to help connect people who care with The Nature Conservancy’s work to conserve Washington’s lands and waters that sustain us all."

"We’re thrilled to have Mary as our new Director of Philanthropy,” said State Director Karen Anderson. “She brings a proven ability to manage a team, deep experience in fund-raising and working with boards, and a passion for Washington."