Washington, D.C. (May 30, 2024) – Today, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands named David Zhang as its Chief Development Officer (CDO). Since starting up its operations in 2022, The Foundation has been working hard at building out its inaugural leadership team and announcing key hires.
As CDO, David will be responsible for developing and executing successful fundraising strategies and cultivating a network of philanthropic donors to sustain and grow the Foundation.
“With more than two decades of leadership experience across the private and public sectors, David’s proven track record is exactly what the Foundation needs to develop public-private partnerships to ensure our public lands and waters are healthy and sustainable for current and future generations,” said I Ling Thompson, CEO of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands. “David shares the Foundation’s values and has a deep appreciation for our natural spaces. I could not be more excited to have David join the Foundation’s inaugural leadership team.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the Foundation’s efforts to expand the awareness, access, and resources available to care for America’s public lands. I’ve been blessed to have many of these lands and waters in my everyday experience and believe it’s our obligation to safeguard these resources for our children and future generations to discover,” said David Zhang. “I want to thank I Ling and the Foundation’s Board of Directors for this opportunity to introduce people to our nation’s most historic and scenic landscapes.
David has served in development and leadership roles, most recently, he led fundraising efforts for the Trust for Public Lands in California, raising over $150 million to protect, build, and conserve lands and parks across the state during the last five years. His prior roles include leading development and fundraising for the San Francisco Symphony and San Diego State University after years as an attorney and a decade of military service. David graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and earned his Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School.
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About the Foundation for America’s Public Lands
The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is the official charitable partner of the BLM. Chartered by Congress in 2017 and officially formed in 2021, the Foundation operates and raises private funds to help raise awareness, increase access, and inspire stewardship of more than 245 million acres of U.S. public lands and waters.
