Dexter Hedgepeth Named Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Defenders of Wildlife is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dexter Hedgepeth as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice. Hedgepeth joins Defenders to lead and advise on DEIJ initiatives and strategies and deliver on the organization’s commitment to engage diverse voices in the fight to protect imperiled species and habitats while championing a National Biodiversity Strategy.

“We are excited to welcome Dexter Hedgepeth as our vice president of DEIJ. Dexter brings critical knowledge and energy that will help build on Defender’s DEIJ-rooted objectives broadly across our campaigns and programs,” said Defenders’ Former President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark.

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Hedgepeth comes to Defenders after previously serving as the Inaugural Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Pew Charitable Trusts and its subsidiary, Pew Research Center. In his time at The Pew Charitable Trusts, he provided expert coaching to executive leadership and teams, used metrics to track workforce inclusion trends and crafted a diversity, equity and inclusion roadmap. His insight and voice have been sought after by top institutions, including Princeton, Harvard and Columbia Universities.

"Defenders of Wildlife’s commitment to safeguarding imperiled species and restoring their habitats aligns with my dedication to fostering positive change,” said Hedgepeth. "I am eager to contribute to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive and safe workplace and addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change." 

Hedgepeth is a graduate of the State University of New York Old Westbury, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Economics and Law. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership at the City University of New York.