Dawn Rodney recently joined the Nation Park Foundation as Chief External Affairs Officer leading the team responsible for marketing, communications, government relations, corporate partnerships, content strategy and brand development. She brings more than three decades of experience driving brand growth, and leading innovative, high-profile marketing and media campaigns at nationally recognized organizations in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Previously, Dawn served as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at the National Wildlife Federation where she led and developed innovative market-based solutions driving both impact and revenue for the organization. While there, she created new revenue streams, transformed legacy businesses, and amplified brand awareness, engagement, and action through marketing and multi-platform storytelling. In addition to leading communications, marketing, and digital, Dawn led a portfolio of mission-driven businesses including commerce, licensing, partnerships, and the award-winning Ranger Rick magazines. She is the co-creator of the new Garden For Wildlife social enterprise, a commerce-based solution addressing the wildlife crisis.

Dawn spent eighteen years in leadership positions at National Geographic including as part of the team that launched the National Geographic Channels. While at the National Geographic Society, she was responsible for leading the global brand, engaging digital natives across the world, and amplifying National Geographic’s science, education, and storytelling priorities. Dawn also had various supervising producing positions at Animal Planet and Discovery Health and has won many industry awards for her work including multiple Emmys and a Webby Award.

Dawn lives in Northern Virginia with her family and border terrier rescue. Her current favorite national park is the Channel Islands where she saw an unforgettable site – a megapod of dolphins!