C. Lynn McNair is the inaugural president of the Windward Fund, an independent 501(c)3 on a mission to build a more impactful environmental movement by connecting people across diverse geographies, sectors, and communities. The Windward Fund provides a vehicle for effective, community-based, grassroots grantmaking that elevates the voices of those most impacted by environmental degradation. It serves as a fiscal sponsor, providing operational support services to dozens of projects working on conservation-, climate-, and food-related efforts.
Ms. McNair brings to Windward more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit world, setting strategy, developing fiscal capacity, establishing partnerships, and facilitating effective collaboration and communication. She most recently served as the chief advancement officer for Georgetown Day School and immediately prior to that as vice president of philanthropic partnerships for the Alliance for Excellent Education. Previously, Ms. McNair served in leadership roles at the Internet Society, the Salzburg Global Seminar, the American Association of University Women, the National Governors Association, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.
Ms. McNair holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Upsala College, and executive management credentials from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Public Policy. She is co-chair of the board of Washington Area Women’s Foundation and also holds executive leadership roles on several other boards, including the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Middle Passages Ceremonies and Port Markers Project, Project Harmony International, and Alliance for Early Success.