The National Wildlife Federation has hired entertainment industry executive and former conservation organization president Maureen P. Smith as its new vice president of marketing and communications.

In her new role, Smith will be part of NWF’s executive leadership team and play a key role in the global marketing and branding of NWF and its mascot Ranger Rick, internal and external communications, children’s publishing, digital products and online integration, consumer insight and and video and multimedia productions.

“Bringing Maureen aboard is not only strategic, it is truly symbolic of NWF’s commitment to remaining the leading wildlife conservation-focused organization in America and to maximizing the impact of our voice and the voice of our members and affiliates–especially during these critical times for our environment,” says Jaime Matyas, chief operating officer, NWF.  

As a former top executive at Animal Planet, Fox Kids Network and Fox Family Channel, as well as at the non-profit Jane Goodall Institute, Smith brings years of experience to her new role. She most recently served as chief marketing and operations officer at Maroon Public Relations.