The Conservation Fund Announces Kristina Wyatt as New General Counsel

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Conservation Fund today announced the appointment of Kristina Wyatt as its new General Counsel, marking an important leadership milestone as the organization builds on 40 years of impact and more than 9 million acres of at-risk land conserved. 

“Kristina’s background is exceptionally well aligned with where The Conservation Fund is headed,” said Larry Selzer, President and CEO of The Conservation Fund. “As we work to protect at-risk land while generating meaningful economic outcomes through conservation, we need leaders who understand complex transactions, capital markets, and mission-driven growth. Kristina brings that combination of legal expertise, sustainability leadership, and strategic vision, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team.” 

Wyatt comes to The Conservation Fund with a unique background spanning private practice, government service, and the private sector. She is a graduate of Duke University and the University of Colorado School of Law, and she holds an MBA in Sustainability from Yale University. Her career includes experience at Latham & Watkins, two tenures at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and leadership roles in the private sector, including Food Lion and most recently Persefoni, a leading climate-focused software company. 

Wyatt joins The Conservation Fund as Holly Cannon, current EVP and General Counsel, retires. 

“I want to express my deep gratitude to Holly Cannon for her remarkable contributions to The Conservation Fund and to wish her well as she heads into a well-deserved retirement,” said Selzer. “Since joining us in 2014, Holly has been a trusted legal leader and strategic advisor whose work has helped shape transformational conservation and mitigation solutions. Her deep expertise in environmental and natural resource law has been invaluable, and her influence will be felt for years to come.” 

“It has been a privilege to serve The Conservation Fund and to work alongside such an extraordinary team advancing conservation at scale,” said Holly Cannon. “Kristina brings exactly the experience and perspective the organization needs at this moment, and I am confident she will be a tremendous leader and partner as the Fund continues to protect critical lands and deliver lasting benefits for communities.” 

In her new role at The Conservation Fund, Wyatt will leverage her deep network in corporate sustainability along with her expertise in capital markets and joint-venture structuring to support the organization’s ambitious goals to use diverse capital tools to protect at-risk land across the country.  

“The Conservation Fund uniquely aligns conservation with economic opportunity for communities,” said Wyatt. “The chance to proactively protect lands and waters that support biodiversity, climate resilience, recreation, and working lands—while building durable local economies—is incredibly compelling, and I am honored to join the organization advancing this work.” 

Wyatt will be based at The Conservation Fund’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.