William Q. Thompson (Cohort 1)
Penobscot Nation
Air Quality Manager

“Sometimes you do not understand the full importance of an opportunity until you have opened the door and let it in. This program introduced me to new avenues for exploration in my field, to powerful individuals who exhibited trailblazing leadership, and to like-minded people who have become allies, friends, and a source of continuing collaboration. This is one of those rare opportunities you are mighty glad you had the sense to shake hands with in the first place."

Emiliy Jo Williams (Cohort 1)
Assistant Regional Director, Migratory Birds and State Programs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

"NCLI was a career altering experience - not a class, not a workshop, not a training opportunity - a complete experience that allowed me to learn so much about myself as a professional and to grow as a wildlife professional through interactions with incredible instructors and the other Fellows. The  well designed and challenging program combined with an awesome cast of instructors and Fellows made NCLI a beneficial professional experience without equal that will directly influence wildlife conservation"

Gary P. Boyd (Cohort 1)
International Paper

“My experience as a Fellow with NCLI has not only allowed me to receive “world class” leadership development; I had the opportunity to establish lasting relationships with the conservation leaders throughout the United States that may form innovative public-private conservation partnerships in the future.”

Daniel S. Coggin (Cohort 1)
Wildlife Biologist / Forester
Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

“As an NCLI Fellow, I have fostered new relationships that will be highly beneficial for my organization and for me. The NCLI raises the bar for professional development.”

Emily Cope (Cohort 1)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

"The leadership training I received through the NCLI has been by far the best I have ever experienced. NCLI provided the opportunity to tackle the challenging subject of leadership by bringing together a diverse group of peers from across the nation and providing the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. The NCLI experience coupled with the training and information provided will dramatically impact natural resource decisions for years to come."

James R. Satterfield, Jr., Ph.D. (Cohort 1)
Regional Supervisor
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

"I feel fortunate to have been a member of the first cohort of the National Conservation Leadership institute. This Fellowship has been one of the most significant learning experiences of my professional career. The 10 day residency at the National Conservation Training Center provided me the opportunity to spend a great deal of quality time in an outstanding learning environment with the other NCLI Fellows, Cambridge Leadership Associates, prominent guest speakers, and the staff of the Management Assistance Team. The training has been rigorous, demanding, and very rewarding. I have been exposed to the philosophy, techniques and lessons of some of the most successful and acclaimed leaders and teachers in the entire field of natural resources management. This training and the relations I have developed with my instructors and fellows will have a profound impact on my ability to provide effective leadership for the balance of my career."

David T. Cobb, Ph.D. (Cohort 1)
Chief, Division of Wildlife Management
Certified Wildlife Biologist

"My education and professional experiences have been many and varied, but my participation in the National Conservation Leadership Institute has been one of the most profound experiences thus far in my career. The dedication and efforts of the MAT and others facilitating this program are without equal. Any organization which is interested in promoting the personal and professional development of senior natural resources professionals should contribute in whatever way possible to furthering the NCLI mission. Any professional who is similarly interest in their improving their understanding of how best to effect natural resource conservation should make every effort to become a Fellow."

Grant Hilderbrand, Ph.D. (Cohort 2)
Regional Supervisor
Southcentral Alaska
Alaska Department of Fish and Game

"As a member of the second cohort of NCLI and having just completed the first part of my residency in Shepherdstown, I can already state with certainty that this opportunity will be one of the single most important experiences of my professional career. One of the things that all of the fellows have discussed and agree upon is that it is almost impossible to capture the NCLI experience with mere words. It is more about perspective and empowerment. Like so many of my NCLI peers, I believe my fellowship has been a life-changing experience."