About Us



Mark Van Putten

Mark Van Putten has 40 years of experience in natural resources conservation and nonprofit management at the international, national, regional and local level. He spent over 20 years on the staff of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the largest membership-based conservation organization in the United States, including nearly 8 years as President and CEO. He also founded Great Lakes regional office - NWF's largest - and the University of Michigan's Environmental Law Clinic. 

Mark led ConservationStrategy from 2003-2015 when he became President & CEO of The Wege Foundation. During his tenure with the Foundation, Mark served on the board of directors of the Environmental Grantmakers Association, including a two-year term as Chair. In November 2022, Mark stepped down as Wege Foundation CEO to resume his consulting practice.

Mark is recognized as a visionary leader with proven strategic thinking and planning skills and has a concrete record of turning long-term goals into ongoing organizational reality. Mark has gained national respect as a leader in advocating common-sense conservation solutions.