Announcement

CPAWS-Yukon Welcomes New Executive Director Mike Dehn

May 30, 2007 – Whitehorse – CPAWS-Yukon Board and staff are pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Dehn as our new Executive Director. Mike is a long-term resident of the Yukon who comes to us from the private sector, having been the owner and principal consultant of his own business in the Yukon for the past 13 years. Mike’s work has included conservation biology, economics, policy development, and communications, and he holds advanced degrees in both economics (MA) and biology (PhD). His previous background includes extensive experience as a professional economist as well as a stint of teaching in the Renewable Resources Program at Yukon College.

Mike has been involved with CPAWS-Yukon for several years, and has served as an active member of our Board for a year and a half. He has lived in both Whitehorse and smaller communities and has conducted extensive field work in the Yukon, NWT, and Alaska. We regard Mike’s strong personal and professional relationships throughout the community as a tremendous asset.

Mike has a proven track record for strategic thinking, creativity, and perseverance in his professional, business, and volunteer work. We believe that Mike is particularly qualified to understand the conflict and opportunities raised by our need for a developing economy and the overwhelming importance of preserving ecological integrity and traditional use across the landscape and in large protected areas. He will emphasize community and First Nations involvement as he develops our programs with the dedicated staff and Board of CPAWS-Yukon.

Mike is excited by the opportunities to advance our existing campaigns such as the Three Rivers project and our work with the Kaska First Nation in the South-East Yukon as well as by the possibility of developing funding for new conservation thrusts. Mike looks forward to furthering the CPAWS-Yukon tradition of working collaboratively with all parties in the interests of effective conservation. He is currently transitioning into the position with the assistance of Jim Pojar, our former ED.

Mike’s personal interests in the wilderness are varied and long-standing. He enjoys hunting and fishing, back-country hiking and skiing-camping, wilderness canoe tripping and wildlife work in remote mountainous areas. He is personable, thoughtful, and dynamic and is looking forward to becoming familiar with the broader conservation-minded community.

We know that you will enjoy working with Mike as much as we have enjoyed his volunteer and professional efforts. Mike can be reached at mdehn@cpawsyukon.org or 867-393-8080. Congratulations, Mike, our Board and staff look forward to working with you in this new role!

Jill Pangman, President
CPAWS-Yukon