Lecturer
Deb Callahan is a nationally recognized leader with a lifelong personal and professional commitment to progressive electoral campaigns, nonprofit organization development, environmental politics and policy, elite donor fundraising, impact philanthropy and grassroots organizing. She has a proven track record of leading organizations and crafting strategic initiatives across a wide range of issues. Deb is a seasoned communications expert and spokesperson, and has an established track record as a successful fundraiser.
She has demonstrated the ability to build creative and impactful institutions, design and execute strategic programs, and recruit, manage, motivate, and retain talented staff. Deb is accomplished at the highest levels of electoral campaigns, philanthropy, nonprofit, and political organizations, and has built exceptional relationships throughout an extensive network of political leaders and government officials, journalists, academics, foundation and individual funders, and conservation and environmental leaders in California and across the United States.
For over a decade, she served as president of the National League of Conservation Voters, guiding the board and staff to embrace an ambitious vision that advanced the salience of environmental issues and advocacy in American politics. She grew the organization from a $2 million budget and 16 staff members into an influential, nationally recognized advocacy institution with a $24 million annual budget and 65 staff members.
Deb is recognized for her innovation in applying techniques of political organizing to achieve policy goals. She led the establishment of a leading regional foundation focused on biodiversity protection and directed an innovative and successful grassroots environmental grant-making program at a major national foundation. She specializes in consulting on program and organizational start-up, tune-up, and step-up ventures.