Nonprofit leader will guide the DC Women in Conservation Fellowship and WCF's growth into an independent organization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Women’s Conservation Forum (WCF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Julia Yuhasz as its founding Executive Director. Since stepping into the role on September 1, Yuhasz has been directing WCF’s flagship program, the DC Women in Conservation Fellowship, alongside its national speaker series, outdoor weekends, and collaborative receptions designed to connect conservation leaders across political,cultural, and interdisciplinary perspectives.
At its core, WCF is rooted in the conviction that conservation serves as America’s common ground. Nonpartisan by design, it brings together people from every corner of the field, including wildlife managers, scientists, hunters and anglers, ranchers and agricultural producers, natural resource industries, public land and park professionals, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers, around a shared commitment to stewarding our lands and waters.
Initially launched in 2023 by co-founders Margaret Everson and Christy Plumer at an informal gathering, WCF has rapidly evolved into a network for women in conservation across government, non-profit organizations, forestry, agriculture, and the outdoor industry. Today, WCF works to foster bipartisan collaboration while equipping the next generation of policy leaders through its year-long DC Women in Conservation fellowship program in Washington, D.C.
"We founded the Women’s Conservation Forum on a simple belief: lasting conservation begins with strong relationships, shared purpose, and a community of leaders who support one another. Julia brings the experience, vision, and leadership to build on that foundation and guide WCF into its next chapter." said [Margaret Everson and Christy Plumer, WCF founders].
Yuhasz brings over twenty years of experience across business management, communications, and strategic planning in both the private and non-profit sectors. As an advisor to expanding organizations, she has successfully doubled program reach, established new regional footprints, and scaled operating budgets.
In addition to her professional career, Yuhasz has spent twelve years in board governance. She currently serves as President of the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board in West Virginia and co-chairs the land use and conservation committee for a 1,000-acre property in the state. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Shepherd University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
WCF exists to build a lasting, bipartisan forum for advancing the next generation of conservation in the U.S., and to develop the next generation of women who will lead this work. The WCF fellowship gives early-career women a full year of hands-on experience through rotations with leading conservation organizations in Washington, D.C., preparing the next generation of women leaders in conservation policy. Learn more at womensconservationforum.org.
