Golden Gate Bird Alliance is excited to announce the hire of Cindy Margulis as our new Executive Director.

Margulis, a longtime GGBA member and volunteer, brings a powerful combination of experience as a birder, wildlife educator, fundraiser, business strategist, and marketing specialist.  Her professional experience spans both the business and non-profit sectors, and she has served as a volunteer for numerous conservation organizations including International Bird Rescue, Oakland Zoo, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and East Bay Regional Park District.

“Cindy is going to be a fantastic leader of GGBA,” said GGBA Board President Laura Gobbi. “Her passion for birds, success with building communities, and business expertise will be huge assets to the organization, especially as we plan for our 100th anniversary in 2017. The board is thrilled and can’t wait to begin working with her!”

“I am honored to lead this organization that connects people of all ages to birds, wildlife, and ecosystems,” said Cindy Margulis. “Since I am perpetually inspired by the birds that grace our environment — and I enjoy collaborating with people who step up to protect wild birds — so this role certainly feels like the ideal one for me.”

Ms. Margulis has most recently worked for non-profit organizations, including Destiny Arts Center in Oakland and Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay.  In the private sector, she has worked as a strategic business development leader and marketing strategist in a range of businesses.

In her role as a Golden Gate Bird Alliance volunteer, Ms. Margulis has helped advocate for protection of endangered California Least Terns at Alameda, as part of GGBA’ Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve committee. She has served as a Tern Watch monitor, and this year took the lead in seeking protective measures for Western Snowy Plovers that were roosting on the Alameda shoreline. She will succeed former GGBA Executive Director Mike Lynes, who recently left to become Director of Policy for Audubon California.

GGBA members will have many chances to meet Cindy in upcoming months, starting this week at the Birdathon Awards Celebration on Sunday May 18.

Founded in 1917, Golden Gate Bird Alliance serves over 5,000 members and supporters in San Francisco and East Bay communities including Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Orinda and Richmond. Its mission is to share the wonder of birds, and mobilize people to protect Bay Area birds and their habitat.

GGBA offers over 100 free field trips each year open to the general public;  provides hands-on nature education to over 700 low-income elementary schoolchildren each year through its award-winning Eco-Education program; and organizes volunteers to restore wildlife habitat at sites including Pier 94 in San Francisco and Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline in Oakland.

You can find more information on Golden Gate Bird Alliance and its programs and activities at www.goldengatebirdalliance.org.