POSITION PROFILE

The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) seeks a President and CEO to lead a global movement

to expand equitable access to nature so that childrenand the natural worldcan thrive.

Working in partnership with an engaged Board of Directors, the CEO will shape and implement

the vision, strategic plan, and policies necessary to drive systems-level change.

Following our current CEO’s retirement, the next CEO will step into an organization with strong

programmatic credibility, a high-performing 23 member virtual team, an operating budget of $3

million, and a respected national network of public, private, and corporate partners. Building on

this foundation, the CEO will scale impact significantly while strengthening revenue, deepening

policy influence, and modernizing internal systems. This role requires a leader who can balance

movement-building with organizational discipline, ambition with focus, and innovation with

operational rigor.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The next three (3) years are pivotal for the Children & Nature Network, founded after the 2005

publication of Richard Louvs book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from

Nature-Deficit Disorder, to reverse the growing disconnection between children and the natural

world. As we enter our next decade, the CEO will help drive what we believe can be a societal

tipping point: ensuring a nature-filled childhood for 20 million youth across the U.S. by 2035. We

see this as a tipping point. At that scale, nature connection becomes a shared cultural

expectation supported by families, schools, communities, and public policy rather than an

isolated or optional experience.

Building on nearly 20 years of successful global movement building and proven impact in more

than 100 U.S. communities, the next CEO will guide the implementation of our new Strategic

Framework, focusing on four core priorities:

• Reimagining Natures Role in Communities: Deepening impact in a national cohort of

100+ “Nature Everywhere” communities to prove that lasting, systems-level

transformation is possible.

• Activating Adults Around Children: Launching a national campaign to engage one

million parents and caregivers as advocates for a nature-filled childhood.

• Mobilizing Advocates for Policy: Building powerful coalitions to unlock state and

federal funding and align regulatory frameworks that sustain nature connection at scale.

• Building Organizational Capacity: Strengthening C&NNs technology, diverse revenue

streams, and virtual workplace culture.

The CEO will build on a proven national platform to expand reach and deepen impact. By

leveraging data, technology, and emerging tools such as AI, the CEO will lead the organization

to strengthen shared learning across the network and enhance operational effectiveness. The

opportunity is not simply to grow programs, but to help reshape how communities, institutions,

and policymakers mobilize around childrens equitable access to nature. Learn more about the

reach and depth of the work athttps://www.childrenandnature.org/.

ALIGNED VALUES

First and foremost, the candidate will demonstrate a commitment to living and leading in

alignment with the Children & Nature Network core values:

EQUITY We define equity as fair treatment, access and opportunity. For us, equitable access

to nature means every child and community regardless of race, income, ability, identity, or

address has regular access to nearby, safe, welcoming, and culturally relevant green spaces.

INCLUSION We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals and groups can be and feel

welcomed, respected, supported and valued in natural places and in the children and nature

movement.

DIVERSITY We believe that diversity results when equity and inclusion are practiced

consistently and with intention. We a…