MENLO PARK, Calif.—Andrea Keller Helsel has joined the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as a program officer for western conservation in the Environment Program.
In an email to grantees and foundation staff, Environment Program director Jonathan Pershing said the following about the appointment:
I’m happy to announce that Andrea Keller Helsel will be joining the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as the program officer for western conservation in the Environment Program, where she will lead our portfolio to conserve lands and rivers and promote clean energy in the Western United States and Canada. Western conservation has been a core value and area of grantmaking at the Hewlett Foundation since its founding in 1969, and we are delighted that Andrea will lead the next phase of the Hewlett legacy to protect the great places and resources of the West and help Western communities flourish.
Andrea comes to us from the Western Conservation Foundation where she most recently served as their national director of strategy. Her work there has supported and empowered Latino groups, veterans, sportsmen, small business owners, farmers and ranchers, and other concerned community members to lead on Western national public lands and water issues. She developed programs and initiatives for lasting impacts on conservation policy and built diverse coalitions of conservation partners.
Previously, Andrea led the media relations team at National Parks Conservation Association, where she helped to secure critical federal funding and enhanced protections for America’s national parks. Andrea has also worked in business-to-business and consumer marketing and public relations. At this time of political uncertainty, budget constraints and policy changes, her wealth of experience and deep connections to the community will be essential ingredients to ensure that we continue to build on Hewlett Foundation’s successful history in this arena.
Andrea started at the foundation on May 1, 2017. I hope you’ll join me in welcoming her.