Jamie Rappaport Clark’s lifelong commitment to wildlife and conservation led her to choose a career in wildlife biology that has spanned both the federal government and nonprofit community.  

As Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1997 to 2001, Jamie oversaw the establishment of 27 new refuges and the addition of more than two million acres to the National Wildlife Refuge System. In that role, Jamie also presided over the recovery of key endangered species such as the bald eagle, gray wolf and the Aleutian Canada goose and led the adoption of several innovative policies to encourage landowners to voluntarily conserve wildlife, including the establishment of the Safe Harbor Program and an expanded Candidate Conservation Program. Under her leadership, the FWS secured the passage of the landmark National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, which established wildlife conservation as the primary purpose of all wildlife refuges.

As president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife from 2011-2024, Defenders grew as the premier wildlife conservation organization, working with the U.S. Congress, the courts, federal and state agencies, and in the field. She led the expansion of Defenders’ on-the-ground field presence to deepen partnerships with agencies, Tribes, communities, activists and private landowners across the country to promote sound wildlife conservation policies at all levels. Additionally, Jamie launched Defenders’ Center for Conservation Innovation, which uses data, technology and interdisciplinary approaches to pioneer innovative and pragmatic conservation solutions.  

Defenders of Wildlife recognizes Jamie’s leadership in the development of increasingly innovative coexistence techniques that foster social acceptance and support for keystone predators. She moved Defenders forward, engaging with ranchers, landowners and Tribes to implement non-lethal conflict deterrence measures that allow them to coexist peacefully with native wildlife.