In the landscape of climate disclosure and land conservation, Kristina Wyatt has emerged as a rare leader who translates the language of capital markets into the preservation of the physical world. Her appointment in early 2026 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for The Conservation Fund marks a strategic pivot for both her career and the conservation movement—one where biodiversity and land protection are no longer treated as “offsets,” but as core requirements for the next cycle of global infrastructure.
The Architect of Carbon Truth
Kristina Wyatt’s influence is most visible in her tenure at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where she served as Senior Counsel for Climate and ESG. During a pivotal moment for American capital markets, she led the rulemaking team through the drafting of landmark climate disclosure regulations. Her work wasn’t just about compliance; it was about ensuring that climate-related risks were treated with the same rigor, transparency, and data integrity as traditional financial metrics.
Her transition to the private sector as the Chief Sustainability Officer at Persefoni marked a shift from drafting the rules to building the tools. At the helm of a leading climate management and accounting platform, Wyatt championed the idea that “carbon accounting” is a financial imperative. Her leadership empowered Fortune 500 companies to treat carbon data as a balance-sheet item, moving away from manual spreadsheets toward audit-ready climate intelligence.
Scaling Natural Capital: The Move to TCF
Kristina Wyatt’s move to The Conservation Fund signals a new frontier where senior regulatory expertise meets landscape-level governance. As the Fund builds on its legacy of protecting over 9 million acres of at-risk land, Wyatt is leveraging her expertise in capital markets to ensure that “natural capital” is a central pillar of the future economy.
“This is a pivotal moment for our country. We have a rare opportunity to align historic growth with the long-term protection of the lands and waters that sustain us.”
A New Philosophy of Development
Under Wyatt’s leadership, the dialogue around conservation is shifting. She frames the protection of working lands not as a limitation, but as a catalyst for economic stability. As the U.S. prepares for a massive expansion in data centers, energy transmission, and housing, Wyatt views conservation as a strategic planning requirement.
“The Conservation Fund proves that conservation and economic development are not competing goals. They are mutually reinforcing. As we invest in infrastructure, from energy to housing, we must also invest in the landscapes and natural systems that make those communities viable.”
A Multidisciplinary Foundation
Kristina Wyatts leadership style is rooted in a rare academic and professional blend. She holds a BA from Duke University, a JD from the University of Colorado, and an MBA in Sustainability from Yale University. Her background at Latham & Watkins, where she co-chaired the firm’s ESG practice, provided the practical legal foundation for what she calls “integrative learning”—the ability to see around corners in a dynamic risk environment.
The Road Ahead
At The Conservation Fund, Kristina Wyatt is helping to redefine the role of conservation groups as active infrastructure partners rather than external stakeholders. Her presence at the intersection of private practice, government service, and the nonprofit sector ensures that natural capital is a central pillar of the future economy.
“We’re already living with the consequences of decisions made decades ago. Today, we have the responsibility—and the opportunity—to choose differently.”
A Conversation with Kristina Wyatt: Sustainability Strategies & Corporate Impact – This video provides a deep dive into Kristina’s professional philosophy, exploring how she bridges the gap between complex climate regulations and actionable corporate sustainability strategies.
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