Wendy Butts has joined the Catalina Island Conservancy as its new interim chief of development and a member of the executive team. Wendy brings decades of nonprofit leadership experience and a deep understanding of how to build and sustain funding programs that support mission-driven work.

Wendy has an impressive background in nonprofit leadership, having most recently served more than 11 years as chief executive officer of the LA Conservation Corps, one of the nation’s largest urban conservation corps. During her tenure, she scaled annual revenue from $20 million to nearly $35 million and expanded programming across Los Angeles. She also led the Corps’ development function, securing more than $1 million annually in unrestricted revenue from individual, corporate and foundation sources.

Earlier in her career, Wendy held roles in program development, contract compliance and fundraising at the LA Conservation Corps and served as corporate compliance officer at QueensCare and QueensCare Family Clinics. She holds a master’s degree in international finance from Loyola Marymount University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northern Arizona University.

Wendy’s connection to the Conservancy predates her new role. As CEO of the LA Conservation Corps, she partnered with the Conservancy on habitat restoration on the Island and was an early advocate for its restoration project, Operation Protect Catalina Island. Her connection to Catalina and the Conservancy’s mission makes her a natural fit for the work ahead.

Wendy will oversee the Conservancy’s fundraising strategy, donor relationships and development operations. Her experience leading a complex, mission-driven organization with multiple sources of funding makes her exactly the right person for this moment.