World Wildlife Fund

WWF Committees

The Bylaws provided for the following committees of the Board of Directors: Executive, Conservation Program, Audit, Investments, Nominating and Governance, Institutional Advancement, and others at the discretion of the Chairman. Members of all committees are selected by the Chairman, subject to approval by the Board. The Chairman is an ex officio member of all committees, and the President is an ex officio member of all committees other than the Audit Committee.

WWF Board Committees

Executive Committee
Function: "When the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee shall have and shall exercise all of the powers of the Board, except the power to amend the Bylaws." (Article IV of the Bylaws) Among its responsibilities, the Committee undertakes regular review of matters of corporate oversight, including potential conflicts of interest, and budget and financial performance. The Committee is also responsible for reviewing the performance of the CEO and conducting the "intermediate sanctions" review of compensation for certain senior staff members.
Chair: Lawrence H. Linden

Conservation Program Committee
Function: The Conservation Program Committee oversees the programmatic progress and accomplishments of the organization, assessing WWF's performance and effectiveness towards achieving its mission, goals, and objectives. The Committee considers regular reports from staff regarding WWF's undertakings, performance results (actions taken and outcomes achieved), and recommendations for future activities. The Conservation Program Committee regularly reports to and engages the full Board in discussion of program strategy.
Chair: Pamela Matson, PhD.

Audit Committee
Function: The Committee's primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the audit of WWF's books and records and the system of internal controls that WWF has established. The Committee maintains regular communications with the outside auditors and the WWF internal auditor, and makes regular progress reports to the Board. The Committee also addresses issues raised under WWF's "whistleblower" procedures and reviews institutional practices with respect to safety and security.
Chair: Brenda Davis, PhD.

Investments Committee
Function: The Investments Committee determines desired allocations of WWF's reserves, makes investment decisions, reviews the performance of the portfolio, and provides periodic reports of operations and results to the Board. The Investments Committee also periodically reviews the WWF 403(b) fund performance and recommends changes to the available fund choices as appropriate.
Chair: Roger Sant

Nominating and Governance Committee
Function: The Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to assure that the Board's composition and performance are suited to its responsibilities. The committee's responsibilities are to help Directors determine desired Board composition in terms of expertise, resources, influence, diversity, and talents; to populate the Board with able, dedicated Directors by identifying and cultivating top prospects; to oversee the orientation of new Board members; to review the performance of incumbent directors, particularly those standing for reelection; to oversee periodic reviews by the Board of its own performance; and to nominate and review the performance of Board officers annually. The Committee also reviews and approves proposed appointees to WWF's National Council; the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee is an ex officio member of the Council Nominating Committee.
Chair: Marshall Field

Institutional Advancement Committee
Function: The Institutional Advancement Committee's primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the development of WWF's financial support from members and donors. The Committee ensures the achievement of fundraising goals required to achieve institutional strategy. The Committee provides advice on WWF messaging strategies and their execution, and actively assists in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts. All Directors are encouraged to participate in the work of the Institutional Advancement Committee.
Chair: Virginia Sall