Virginia
Patterson
Rights-Based Conservation
Social Science
Global Policy Frameworks
Driving transformative change at the intersection of rights-based conservation, climate resiliency, and global policy.
Virginia Patterson, M.E.M. is a leader with over 13 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, human rights, environmental regulations, and global policy frameworks. Her career spans U.S. federal agencies, global NGOs, and field-based programs across Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific.
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As a Social and Environmental Scientist, she advances equity, accountability, and resilience through innovative program designs and collaborative leadership.
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Recognized by senior officials within the U.S. Department of the Interior and Congressional officials for policy leadership, she helped design and operationalize rights-based conservation frameworks for agency-wide foreign assistance programs. Committed to advancing functional policies and programs, she translates global standards into actionable steps by developing practical tools and implementation strategies.
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Virginia brings a rare blend of lived experience and technical expertise. Raised in a family deeply rooted in land stewardship and wildlife rehabilitation, she was shaped by generations of farmers, botanists, and ecological caretakers. Her early exposure to cultural heritage and conservation cultivated a lifelong respect for traditional ecological knowledge and its role in sustaining both ecosystems and communities.
Her professional experience working and living alongside Indigenous communities in Mexico deepened her understanding of traditional governance systems and the role of culture in effective, lasting conservation.
This foundation informs her enduring commitment to locally grounded partnerships for lasting conservation results.
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EXPERIENCE
Lead Policy & Safeguards Advisor, International Affairs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of International Conservation
Led the development and implementation of the agency’s first human rights-based environmental and social safeguards system, embedding global standards into U.S. international conservation programs.
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Guided cross-agency implementation across five project teams, setting a precedent for rights-based conservation in federal grant-making.
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​Spearheaded initiatives with the Department of State and the Office Inspector General to design and launch monitoring and evaluation systems for foreign assistance conservation programs.
Consulting Program Director
RENCI at UNC Chapel-Hill
Revitalized a stalled NIH-funded initiative for climate resilience and epidemiological risk in historically marginalized communities.
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Restructured five internal teams, accelerated deliverables by 40%, and helped unlock $15M in new program funding.
Organized the launch of a public access data platform advancing scientific collaboration with local communities.
Strategized stakeholder engagement and data governance strategies to ensure accessibility, equity, and long-term impact across sectors.
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Program Management Specialist
RTI International
Advanced environmental safeguards, community engagement strategies, and policy integration for multilateral initiatives.
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Managed technical and field operations for international development programs totaling over $35M, with a focus on nature-based solutions, sustainable energy, and Indigenous and territorial rights.
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Steered rights-based conservation deliverables as the Environmental and Social Impacts expert for the Papua New Guinea Energy Partnership; managed 6 subcontractor teams and 12+ field staff.
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Led Indigenous engagement strategy for the Guatemala & Northern Triangle Program, designing gender-equitable, rights-based frameworks for trans-boundary conservation in high-conflict areas.
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Research Project Manager
NC State University College of Natural Resources
Managed an NSF-funded research initiative examining the impacts of climate disasters compounded by COVID-19 on remote island communities.
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Strengthened qualitative research design and led stakeholder survey efforts; identified local information pathways, recovery barriers, and risk perceptions.
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Initiated a virtual disaster preparedness hub aimed at integrating community resources, improving capacity sharing, and advancing climate resilience strategies across coastal regions.​
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Research Assistant and Program Coordinator
Duke University
Conducted and managed field research across Indigenous territories in southern Mexico as part of a participatory conservation initiative supporting the creation of a regional biodiversity corridor, advancing traditional ecological knowledge into conservation management and sustainable development.
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Partnered with Indigenous leaders on the design of six nature-based enterprises aligned with local values and long-term stewardship goals.
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Collaborated with senior federal policy makers and national security experts to deliver policy recommendations to strengthen climate resilience for 128 U.S. coastal military installations.
Senior Project Manager, Planning and Development
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Led teams on the largest state-funded natural and cultural conservation project in the Southeast U.S.
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Commended for launching innovative programs and forging alliances; promoted within 18 months of employment.
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Streamlined multi-agency contracts and workflows across 5 departments, ensuring compliance and optimizing project execution.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
2005-2007
Duke University
Master's of Environmental Management and Leadership
University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill
Master's Coursework - Cultural Anthropology
Meredith College
Bachelor of Science - Sustainable Architecture & Design
Certifications
Research Ethics & Compliance
C.I.T.I. 2021
Community Based Conservation
Caribbean & Latin American Studies
Marine Area Conservation
Planning
Duke University 2020
Duke University 2020
Duke University 2019
CORE COMPETENCIES
Multilateral Conservation Frameworks
Environmental & Social Governance
Coastal & Marine Ecosystems
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Frameowrks
Cabinet and Congressional Briefings
Scientific Writing, White Papers, Decisional Documents, Memorandums, Agency Agreements
SOP's, Resource Websites, Process Documents, Training Guides, Workshops
Spanish - Advanced Proficiency
Global Indigenous and Human Rights Instruments
Sustainable Development
Program Oversight
Policy Analysis, Development & Implementation
Senior Policy Correspondence
Budget & Contract Management
Qualitative Research & Analysis
French - Beginner Proficiency
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
USFWS, RENCI at UNC Chapel-Hill
ADVOCACY & POLICY INFLUENCE
USFWS, RTI International
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
USFWS, NC State University, Duke University
Drove organizational growth and transformation through visionary leadership and effective decision-making. Built and nurtured high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Crafted and executed impactful advocacy strategies, influencing policy changes at local, national, and international levels. Leveraged legal expertise to drive meaningful reforms and uphold human rights standards.
Conducted comprehensive research and analysis to uncover critical insights and inform evidence-based solutions. Produced influential reports and publications, driving awareness and shaping discourse on global justice issues.