NEW YORK (October 31, 2022) – The Nationwide Audubon Society celebrates two latest additions to its Nationwide Board of Administrators: Bernardo Vargas-Gibsone, former CEO of ISA Group in Latin America, and Shelly Cihan, founding father of Rooted Rock Advertising. The brand new Nationwide Board Administrators will work to assist Audubon’s mission to guard birds and the locations they want.
“Audubon is targeted on tackling the largest challenges going through birds and our planet throughout the hemisphere, and the latest Administrators on the Nationwide Board will considerably contribute to those efforts,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Grey, CEO of the Nationwide Audubon Society. “Birds inform us that the local weather and biodiversity crises are pressing challenges to our mission. Bernardo and Shelly are dynamic and achieved leaders that may assist govern Audubon because the group will increase its affect and hemispheric attain.”
“The Nationwide Board continues to develop stronger with business specialists from the U.S. and Latin America,” stated Susan Bell, Nationwide Audubon Society Board Chair. “Their enterprise experience and dedication to Audubon’s mission make them thrilling and necessary companions in our work bringing individuals collectively to guard birds and the locations they want – each on the native and hemispheric degree.”
Bernardo Vargas-Gibsone, of Bogotá, Colombia, is a distinguished CEO and skilled advisor within the areas of management, tradition constructing and company technique. At present he’s a Managing Director on the Digital Bridge Group appearing as Senior Advisor and Chairman for Latin America. Between 2015 and 2022, Bernardo was the CEO of ISA Group, a number one multi-latin company specializing in Electrical Energy Transmission, Data and Communication Know-how and Highway Concessions. Based in 1967, ISA operates by corporations in 7 international locations in Latin America and is business chief in Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. Throughout his ISA years, he additionally served as initiator and chief sponsor of the Conexion Jaguar challenge to foster environmental preservation and defend the Latin-American jaguar. Beforehand he labored a few years in funding banking as founding associate at Nogal Asesorias Financieras an advisory boutique in Colombia and as Head of Colombia for ING and Barings Securities, specializing in native and cross-border fund elevating and M&A. He began his skilled profession on the Banco de la Republica, Colombia’s central financial institution, the place he helped handle the county’s worldwide reserves portfolio and was an analyst within the Board of Financial Advisors. He was given the Colombia Enterprise Chief of the Yr award in 2017 (Premios Portafolio) and was repeatedly acknowledged by Institutional Investor journal as one of many prime CEOs in Latin America. Alongside his profession he has acted as Chairman and Board member in over ten corporations and enterprise associations in Latin America. Additionally actively concerned in tutorial actions with Universidad de los Andes in Colombia and Fundação Dom Cabral in Brazil and non-profit organizations together with the Nature Conservancy, the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra and Finest Buddies Colombia. Bernardo obtained an MBA from Columbia College and an Economics BA and MS from Universidad de los Andes, in Bogotá, Colombia.
“Audubon’s hemispheric method to hen conservation presents new alternatives for partnerships and development,” stated Bernardo Vargas-Gibsone. “I look ahead to bringing my company technique, culture-building, and monetary planning experience to the Nationwide Board at this progressive time for the group.”
Shelly Cihan, of Saranac Lake, NY, is the founding father of Rooted Rock Advertising, a full-service advertising company situated within the Adirondack village of Saranac Lake, NY. She has a ardour for the setting and actively volunteers for a number of charitable environmental organizations. Through the years these have included Northern NY Audubon, the Audubon Council of NYS, Nationwide Audubon’s Christmas Hen Depend, the Ausable River Affiliation, Undertake a Freeway program, Adirondack All-Taxa Biodiversity Stock, All About Lakes, and Adirondack Wilderness Advocates. For the previous 7 years, Shelly has served on the board of Northern NY Audubon within the roles of President, Vice President, and the fundraising chair. She makes use of her distinctive advertising background to succeed in potential members by artistic fundraising endeavors. Her initiatives have included defending the endangered NYS Spruce Grouse inhabitants by the launch of Spruce Tip IPA at a brewery fashionable with native hunters inside miles of recognized nesting grounds, bird-themed trivia nights, and initiating Birds, Brews and Magnificence an annual gathering. Shelly additionally serves on the board of the Audubon Council of NY which is devoted to bringing the native Audubon chapters throughout NYS collectively for networking and collaboration. Throughout her time on this board, she based the boards Birds of a Feather program. This casual digital month-to-month gathering permits chapters from throughout the state to deepen their information whereas additional amplifying the mission of Audubon. Over the previous yr, Shelly has led discussions on subjects corresponding to main efficient board conferences, interact youthful members, amplify your mission by advertising, board succession and planning for the longer term, and operating profitable annual enchantment campaigns. Shelly graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Pure Sources & Environmental Sciences from Paul Smith’s Faculty. She lives her very energetic canine Nico and her associate Brendan who’s the Senior Analysis Scientist for Paul Smith’s Faculty Adirondack Watershed Institute.
“After I first started partaking with my native Audubon chapter, I had no concept how a lot of an affect it could have,” stated Shelly Cihan. “My ardour for birds and the setting has been fueled by Audubon for a few years. I’m grateful for this chance and really excited to make use of my information and background to assist spark others to become involved, whether or not or not it’s in their very own backyards or on a extra nationwide degree.”
About Audubon
The Nationwide Audubon Society protects birds and the locations they want, at this time and tomorrow. Audubon works all through the Americas utilizing science, advocacy, schooling, and on-the-ground conservation. State packages, nature facilities, chapters, and companions give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches thousands and thousands of individuals annually to tell, encourage, and unite numerous communities in conservation motion. A nonprofit conservation group since 1905, Audubon believes in a world wherein individuals and wildlife thrive. Be taught extra at www.audubon.org and on Fb, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media Contact:
Megan Moriarty, megan.moriarty@audubon.org