Dawn Montanye ’89 :
Manager of Conservation Economics for the World Wildlife Fund's Northern Great Plains program, based in Bozeman, Montana
1. Briefly, what is it that you do?
I work with private landowners to find economic incentives for them to manage for species and habitat conservation. The goal is to transform the Northern Great Plains region into one that is rich in wildlife, has conserved its grasslands and has a healthy rural economy that capitalizes on both of these natural aspects.
2. What, if any, obstacles did you face trying to get your first job in this field?
I was interested in linking environmental conservation and economics and it was difficult to find a job that addressed both.
3. What advice would you give to students
interested in working in your field?
Do an internship, preferably in the geographic area that you would eventually like to work in. Your existing relationships with other organizations, individuals and government can be very attractive to a hiring manager. Hold out for a position that you really want, even if it means taking less money to start with.
4. What are some of the activities you
were involved in while at SLU?
Chi Omega sorority, field hockey team, big brother big sister program, orientation leader.
5. How can students best prepare themselves
while still at SLU?
Take a wide variety of courses to help define your passion and to broaden your view on a number of topics. Spend some time on extracurricular activities related to your academic area of interest. Become a mentor to younger students, it allows you to start to articulate your interests and passions and why you have chosen your particular path.
6. In retrospect, is there anything you
would have done differently with regard to your career?
Not too much, doing something unique has allowed me to find really interesting work. I volunteered a lot after I graduated from St. Lawrence and that gave me a good deal of experience. I would say that if you are going to volunteer, go with an already established program. Also, if you are interested in international work it is useful to be fluent in a second or third language. Spanish or French are very useful for work in the developing world.
7. What are your future plans?
I spent 6 years in Washington, DC working for the World Wildlife Fund and traveled to 25 countries as part of my job there. I am happy to be settled now in Montana working in only 5 western grassland states. I imagine being here for the long term.
8. Are you willing to talk with students
interested in a career in your field? If so, how may they best
contact you?
Yes. Phone 406-585-5336.
Additional Alumni Profiles:
John Marino, '83 : Vice President for Marketing, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA
Dawn Montanye, '89 : Manager of Conservation Economics, World Wildlife Fund Northern Great Plains Program, Bozeman, Montana
Amanda Valenta '04 : Senior Audit Associate, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Moira Collins '84 : Senior Vice President, Product Development, Gartner, Inc.
Bruce E. Seely '75: Professor History and Department Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Mark Tavern '94: Director, A&R Administration at the
RCA Music Group, a unit of SONY BMG Music Entertainment and home of the J, Arista and RCA record labels.
Anthony (Tony) Ross '75, M'78: Vice President for Student
Affairs California State University, Los Angeles
George Ashline '89: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Alissa Bibb '03, Program Officer: American Councils for International Education
Rick Persons, '83, Senior Television Producer, PGA TOUR Productions
Ronald T. Burkman, M.D., '65 Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ken
Dowling ‘84, Executive Vice President, Grey Worldwide
Advertising
David Dusek ’93, Senior Managing Editor
of golfonline.com
Noelle Laing ‘03, Senior Consulting Associate
at Cambridge Associates
Dan Lee 05', Investment Banking Analyst, Cochran,
Caronia & Co.
Armand A. Rapetti ’73, President, CEO:
JBS & Associates, Lakeland, FL
Ken Polk & '91, Major Accounts District
Manager: Automatic Data Processing, Williamsville, NY
Wendy Davidson Freihammer & #8217;94,
Financial Advisor: American Express Financial Advisors, Cambridge, MA
Mayela C. (Calabria) Harris '87, Family
Therapist (Social Worker): Hospice of Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Peter J. Dalton '94, Affiliate Support
Manager: Habitat for Humanity International
