Kari joined USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2002 after receiving a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology. During 20 years at USDA, Kari held eight different positions, gaining knowledge and relationships that can help external entities with their own USDA relationships. Below is a sample of Kari’s experience :

• Projects Branch Chief—Kari supervised a team of 12 with national responsibility over the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).

• NRCS’s first National Leader for Environmental Markets and Conservation Finance.

• Senior Advisor to Deputy Under Secretary Ann Mills, Under Secretary Harris Sherman and Under Secretary Robert Bonnie.

• Legislative affairs, including a nine-month stint as Acting Director of Legislative Affairs and a nine-month detail on the House Appropriations Committee (Agriculture Subcommittee).

• NRCS’s Chesapeake Bay Coordinator.

• the first national program manager for NRCS’s Conservation Innovation Grants program.