Catalina Island Conservancy announces that Adam Finck has been named as its new Chief of Programs. After a highly competitive process led by Potrero Group, a national strategy and executive search firm, Adam Finck was selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants regionally and nationally.

“I am very excited to welcome Adam to the Catalina Island Conservancy team,” says Whitney Latorre, President & CEO of Catalina Island Conservancy. “Adam’s global experience combined with strategic development, programming, and environmental expertise are tremendous assets. We look forward to partnering with him to transform the organization and I am confident that Adam’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing our mission to preserve Catalina’s unique ecosystem, balancing conservation, education, and recreation.”

Adam is a seasoned strategic and visionary leader with two decades of experience in spearheading transformational social, environmental, and educational programs around the globe. Most recently, he served as Head of Partner Operations at Terraformation, a global native forest restoration company working to remove carbon, revive biodiverse ecosystems, and build thriving communities. In this role, Adam successfully scaled native forest restoration programs, building a team of program managers and coaching them to drive expansion across four global hubs. Prior to Terraformation, Adam was Vice President of Global Programs for Bridgeway Foundation and International Programs Director at Invisible Children. Adam received his Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California.

“I am energized by the opportunity to bring forward two decades of program experience to the Conservancy at this pivotal moment,” says Mr. Finck. “The Conservancy is uniquely placed to guide this remarkably biodiverse island toward a climate-resilient future, preserving Catalina’s legacy as a home to generations of families and a hub for outdoor learning and adventure.”

In his new role, Adam will oversee the Conservancy’s mission-aligned departments of Conservation, Education, and Recreation. He will lead in developing a strong vision for the Programs division, advocating for and assessing our mission, and partnering with Conservancy leaders to integrate and scale our impact. As a key member of the Executive Team, Adam will contribute to and lead in managing programs, staff, outcomes, budget, and strategic planning.

 

About the Catalina Island Conservancy

Formed in 1972, the nonprofit Catalina Island Conservancy is one of California’s oldest private land trusts. Its mission is to be an exemplary steward of Island resources through a balance of conservation, education and recreation. Through its ongoing efforts, the Conservancy protects the unique and threatened biodiversity of Santa Catalina Island, stewarding 88% of its 48,000 acres of land and more than 60 miles of rugged shoreline, 50 miles of biking and 165 miles of trail hiking. The Island is home to more than 60 species that are found only on Catalina. Just off the densely populated Southern California Coast, Catalina Island is home to approximately 3,500 year-round residents. Santa Catalina Island, or Pimu, is the ancestral, traditional land of the Tongva-Gabrielino tracing 10,000 years. Stewarding the island is at the forefront of the Catalina Island Conservancy mission, as it embarks upon a bold, large-scale landscape restoration project to ensure a climate-resilient and fire-resistant future. On Catalina Island, nature and humans thrive. For more information visit catalinaconservancy.org.