WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leading conservationist, advocate, and policy expert Beth A. Viola will serve as chair-elect of the National Wildlife Federation following a vote of the organization’s 52 state and territorial affiliates at the 90th Annual Meeting in Providence, R.I. Viola, who has served on the National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors since 2016, will succeed Board Chair Fred Kowal at the organization’s next annual meeting in 2027.

“The National Wildlife Federation’s mission and work as bridge-builders has never been more important than now. As an advocate, policymaker, and board member, I have witnessed the power of the Federation and its affiliates firsthand and am excited to serve as chair-elect,” Viola said. “I will use the next year to support Chair Kowal, President and CEO Collin O’Mara, our One Federation, and all of the organization’s work to address the immense and interconnected challenges we face.”

Viola is a senior policy adviser in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and chairs the firm's Energy Team. She primarily works with clean energy technology companies to create sound public policy drivers for their businesses. She works with business leaders and nonprofits to advance effective climate change strategies that result in economic and environmental benefits.

She previously served as a senior adviser to the White House Council on Environmental Quality where she worked with the president and the vice president on environmental and energy issues and served as one of the Clinton Administration’s chief environmental advisers. Viola served as a facilitator for climate change discussions at the Clinton Global Initiative from 2006 to 2008.

In 2016, Viola was named an Energy & Environmental Trailblazer by the National Law Journal. She was among a select group of professionals recognized by the publication as outstanding practitioners who have made their mark in energy and environmental law and policy.

The National Wildlife Federation’s state and territorial affiliates also voted at the 90th Annual Meeting to elect Virginia Burkett of Louisiana as a regional director and Holly Cook Macarro of California and Steve King of Illinois as at-large directors. The affiliates also re-elected Brad Powell of Arizona as Western Vice Chair; Jay Lanier of North Carolina as an at-large director; and regional board members Mary Berry of Georgia, Priscilla De La Cruz of Rhode Island, and Bob Rees of Oregon.