National Park Foundation Names New Chief External Affairs Officer

WASHINGTON – Dawn Rodney has joined the National Park Foundation (NPF) as Chief External Affairs Officer, leading the Foundation team responsible for marketing, communications, government relations, corporate partnerships, content strategy, and brand development.

Rodney brings more than three decades of experience driving brand growth, and leading innovative, high-profile marketing and media campaigns at nationally recognized organizations in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, Rodney served as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at the National Wildlife Federation, and prior to that held executive and leadership posts at National Geographic Society, National Geographic Channels and Discovery.

Rodney assumes the role at an exciting time for the National Park Foundation and for America’s national parks.

“Dawn’s experience building global brands around conservation, education and storytelling will help to elevate the National Park Foundation brand, and further position NPF as a trusted leader within a dynamic and growing national park community, said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.”

Last year, the National Park Foundation delivered a record $89 million in grants and other support to national parks across the country. NPF philanthropy is helping to keep parks wild and resilient, funding programs to preserve wildlife and habitats across the National Park System, and launching new initiatives to connect people to parks, including ParkVentures, a program to eliminate barriers and bring people together for meaningful experiences in parks.

“National parks hold the power to inspire wonder and a deep sense of connection in each of us,’ said Rodney. “I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the tremendous impact the National Park Foundation makes, to cultivate and engage the next generation of national park stewards, and to help elevate more diverse and inclusive stories about the places we all share.”

Rodney will oversee a team of nearly 30 staff managing the Foundation’s growing corporate partnership program, marketing initiatives, thought leadership and earned media strategies, as well as content development and impact storytelling across NPF channels.