Cody Kamrowski, Melrose, had specific career goals as he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in May 2016 with a major in natural resources social and policy sciences.
“I deeply value natural resources and want to preserve them for future generations to enjoy it just as I have,” he said at the time.
Today, Kamrowski does that and more as the new executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF). The organization has worked toward conserving the state’s outdoor heritage for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation for the past 75 years. He was recruited by former WWF executive director Mark LaBarbera, a friend and mentor.
When Kamrowski was first introduced to the organization, former Department of Natural Resources Secretary George Meyer was the executive director. He recalls meeting Meyer while in college and saying to himself, ‘that role is my dream job.’
“Now here I am, incredibly humbled and grateful for it,” said Kamrowski. “The conservation work is grassroots based, with an expansive network of individual and affiliate members who magnify our impact in the state and in the Midwest.”
While he officially began his new duties on January 2, Kamrowski began working with the WWF in January 2023 as the director of development and field operations and was engaged with the group for many years as a volunteer and member of the board of directors. He also served as the National Wildlife Federation’s youngest board member from 2018 to 2022, representing Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
As executive director, Kamrowski wears many hats, as most leaders do at non-profit organizations, he said. One day, he works on outreach communications, the next on policy analysis and the next, the organizational budget funding operations. Additionally, as the public face of the WWF, he serves as a registered lobbyist and spends time at the state capitol building for hearings and policy making.
“Some days I get pulled in a lot of directions,” he said. “The challenge is always fun and always worth it.”
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Photo Credit:national-wildlife-federation
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy