Areas of Expertise: Conservation science, biodiversity data, geospatial analytics, climate adaptation, conservation planning and prioritization, natural resource management

Regan Smyth is Vice President of Conservation Research and Innovation at Defenders of Wildlife, where she leads the Center for Conservation Innovation, overseeing the organization's science, climate, and technology programs.

Prior to joining Defenders, Regan spent nearly two decades at NatureServe, where she held a series of leadership roles, including serving on the executive team as Vice President of Conservation Data and Science and Vice President for Strategic Partnerships. Throughout her career, Regan has focused on translating scientific information into practical tools and strategies that support conservation of imperiled species across public and private lands. She has led initiatives spanning conservation prioritization, artificial intelligence, climate adaptation, and technology innovation, while building partnerships across government, nonprofit, academic, and private-sector communities.

Regan began her career mapping and assessing ungulate migration corridors in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, launching a lifelong passion for applying science, data, and technology to solve complex conservation challenges. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Environmental Management from Duke University.