Biography

Debbie Drake Dunne serves as the Executive Director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.  In this role, she works closely with the faculty co-directors to develop and implement the Institute’s vision and strategic direction. Debbie is also responsible for designing strategies and programs that link the Stanford Woods Institute and Stanford environmental researchers with external audiences to increase the relevance and impact of their research. Dunne joined the Woods Institute in 2005 as Executive Director of the Leopold Leadership Program.  

Before joining the Stanford Woods Institute, Debbie served in a variety of NGO and government roles including Director of Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy in California and Assistant Secretary of Conservation Programs for the California Resources Agency. She was responsible for developing policy and securing funding to support major environmental initiatives such as restoration of the Everglades and San Francisco Bay.  Debbie has devoted the last twenty years of her career working across a broad range of sectors to inform decision-making and strengthen environmental policies and management practices. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina.