Defenders of Wildlife Announces Jake Li as New Vice President of Conservation Policy

Defenders of Wildlife is thrilled to announce Jake Li as its new Vice President of Conservation Policy. Jake is returning to Defenders, where he previously worked from 2010 to 2018, after most recently serving as the Assistant Director for the endangered species program at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

“Jake brings significant experience in conservation policy with a deep background in both the nonprofit and government sector,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “We are delighted to welcome Jake back to Defenders to lead our department of Conservation Policy.  We know Jake will be instrumental in not only helping us defend our bedrock conservation laws but also in shaping new and meaningful ways to protect imperiled wildlife and their habitats for generations to come.”

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During his time at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Jake oversaw its national program to implement the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and other federal wildlife laws. Before joining the Service, Jake worked for the Biden-Harris administration as a Deputy Assistant Administrator in EPA’s chemical regulatory office, where he focused on protecting endangered species from pesticides and overseeing other major pesticide issues. In both roles, his leadership focused on implementing science-based policy and advancing conservation priorities in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.  

“I'm elated to rejoin Defenders at this existential moment for wildlife conservation,” said Jake Li, Vice President of Conservation Policy, Defenders of Wildlife.  “My team will use every tool to save wildlife – from protecting our conservation laws to speaking with anyone who shares our goal of saving wildlife, regardless of political affiliation or background.”

Jake holds a J.D. from Cornell University, completing graduate courses in conservation biology and herpetology, a B.S. from Drexel University, and is the co-editor of Endangered Species Act: Law, Policy, and Perspectives (3rd ed, 2021).

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