Courtney Vail

Courtney Vail is a senior policy professional who has worked within the conservation and animal welfare field for over 30 years.

As a conservation biologist and social scientist, Courtney has served as a tactical advisor and campaign strategist for non-governmental organizations, and has led strategic initiatives in the private sector. She also has held positions within several government agencies, including US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

With a holistic view and understanding of the regulatory, social and political frameworks that drive national and international conservation policy, Courtney currently serves as the Executive Director for Lightkeepers, a solutions-oriented think tank offering special competency in the fields of environmental and animal welfare policy.

Among other consultative roles, Courtney currently directs strategic campaigns for Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) and leads Caribbean policy work for the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).

She holds a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science/Natural Resource Management and a M.S. in Psychology.