Robbin Marks
Vice President for Development Operations
Department: Resource Development
Area of Focus: Robbin directs the operations of the Development Department, overseeing its financial and tracking systems. Robbin also directs the foundation relations program at American Rivers. She is responsible for strategy, coordination with program staff, and management of the organization's foundation portfolios. Finally, Robbin also directs our efforts to secure government grants.
Background: Robbin has directed the organization’s foundations relations program since 2006 and in 2011 served as Acting Vice President for Development. Robbin brings to her development work over 15 years of experience in environmental programs and policy. Robbin joined American Rivers in 2004 as Director of the Hydropower Reform Campaign, directing national hydropower reform policy and fieldwork and chairing the Hydropower Reform Coalition (a consortium of 130 conservation and recreation groups).
Prior to American Rivers, Robbin served as a Senior Resource Specialist and consultant to the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, DC for 12 years, specializing in water quality, agriculture and wetlands issues.
From 1996-1997, she co-chaired the Clean Water Network (comprised of more than 1,000 organizations in the United States) and she founded, chaired, and co-chaired the Feedlot Workgroup of the Network. She began her career as staff to the budget committees of the Maryland Legislature.
Education: B.S. in Political Science (honors) from the American University, and M.A. in Politics and Public Policy (graduate fellowship) from the Eagleton Institute of Politics from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Favorite River: Upper Rock Creek
