Vance G. Martin

Vance Martin joined The Wild Foundation — the only international organization dedicated entirely to protecting wilderness and wild nature around the world — as president in 1984 after 15 years in international business and nonprofit management. An innovative leader known for bridging the interests of people and nature, he has lived extensively overseas, worked in over 45 countries and helped to establish many nonprofits. An acknowledged expert in international nature conservation and wilderness protection, he serves on the boards of numerous organizations, such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Friends of Peace Parks, Fulcrum Publishing, Wilderness Foundation (South Africa), Wilderness Foundation (UK), International Conservation Caucus Foundation and others. He is also the founder and current co-chairman of the IUCN Wilderness Specialist Group and has edited and authored many publications. He is a native of the U.S. Piedmont region and graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University.