[Washington, D.C.] - The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is excited to announce Katie Mabardy as our new Vice President, Development. A dynamic fundraising professional, Katie brings with her years of experience driving significant revenue growth and aligning philanthropic efforts with organizational goals. With her leadership, ELI is looking forward to strengthening relationships, increasing fundraising capacities, and expanding our reach.
Before joining ELI, Katie served as the Director of Philanthropy for the Western Region at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she spent nearly eight years growing their partnerships and contributions exponentially. She is experienced in securing major gifts, overseeing high-performing fundraising teams, and developing donor-centric strategies that simultaneously break down internal silos. Her approach creates an increase in revenue while enhancing team morale and boosting organizational impact.
“From the first time we met, Katie demonstrated a strong and nuanced understanding of the environmental landscape – and a deep commitment to it,” says Jordan Diamond, President of ELI. “She understands the unique role ELI plays and why it’s so important today. We’re really excited to have her on the team to help us expand our impact and grow our community.”
Alongside her executive roles, she has been an influential member of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, leading governance restructuring, streamlining operations, and implementing fundraising strategies that significantly expanded the organization's impact. Katie holds a Master’s Degree in Global Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management and is recognized for her visionary leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication to protecting all life on our planet.
Read more about Katie here: https://www.eli.org/bios/katie-mabardy