Steve Ertel

Steve Ertel leads strategic communications at World Wildlife Fund. His team works to elevate awareness of nature’s value to people, business and government and advocate for specific solutions at all levels to reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

During his time at WWF, Steve has been involved in efforts to tackle some of the biggest problems facing the planet, from climate change and resource scarcity to illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction. Utilizing communication strategies to protect nature has been a lifelong passion and the focus of Steve’s career. Prior to joining WWF, he served in senior roles with The Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund and also helped form a sustainability focus at his first job with a communications agency in the private sector. Ertel is a 2016 recipient of PRWEEK's 40 Under 40 award.

Steve earned a B.A. in communication with a specialization in human ecology from Rutgers University and completed the University’s certificate in social strategies for environmental protection.