Nikki Rovner
Associate State Director, Virginia
Richmond, VA
Nikki Rovner Associate State Director © Adam Steinman
Areas of Expertise
Government relations, environmental policy, strategic planning, conservation partnerships
Biography
As Virginia's associate state director, Nikki Rovner works to foster strong partnerships with government agencies and environmental organizations while advocating for TNC’s policy priorities with state and federal decision makers. Her goal is for every elected official to recognize stewardship of our natural resources as a core function of government.
Areas of policy focus include state and federal funding and tax incentives for land conservation, market-based policies that enable conservation work, mitigation for impacts of development and energy projects on wildlife and habitats, and energy and climate policy.
In addition to leading Virginia’s Government Relations team, Nikki oversees the chapter’s STEP (Short Term Experience Program) work and the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, a wetland and stream mitigation program.
Nikki serves on the boards of Virginia’s United Land Trusts and Virginiaforever, a business/conservation coalition that advocates for increased state funding for water quality improvements and land conservation.
Nikki gained experience as a legislative staffer prior to joining TNC. She later served for four years as deputy secretary of natural resources in the administration of Governor Tim Kaine before returning to TNC in 2010. She has taught environmental policy courses at the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Nikki has a juris doctor degree from the University of Richmond and a bachelor of science degree in wildlife science from Penn State.