Courtney Washburn became ICL’s executive director in the fall of 2026, bringing over 25 years of conservation leadership, strategic execution, and public policy expertise to the role. Most recently, Courtney served as a consultant for American Rivers, working to advance key conservation priorities. From 2020 to 2026, she served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Boise, directing municipal operations, long-range planning, and climate initiatives across a $948 million budget and a workforce of over 2,200 employees. 

A familiar face to Idaho’s conservation community, Courtney’s extensive leadership background also includes serving as Executive Director of Conservation Voters for Idaho from 2015 to 2020 and as ICL’s Community Conservation Director and Statehouse lobbyist from 2006 to 2015, where she built and directed the statewide Community Conservation Program. 

Courtney also holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She lives in Boise with her son and golden retriever. She enjoys spending time on the water and in the foothills.