Former Ducks Unlimited managing director brings 19 years of experience to international wildlife conservation organization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — 11/2/2026— The Origins Foundation has appointed Shawn Battison as chief business development officer, bringing nearly two decades of experience with Ducks Unlimited to an organization advancing wildlife conservation, sustainable use and community-focused initiatives around the world.
Battison joins Origins following 19 years with Ducks Unlimited, an organization recognized for its work in waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation. In his new position, he will help expand the foundation’s partnerships, development efforts and international conservation initiatives.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to announce that Shawn Battison has become the Origins Foundation’s chief business development officer,” said Dr. Robert Kröger, founder of The Origins Foundation. “It says something for the Origins Foundation that we can hire somebody with the talent and pedigree that Shawn has into the fastest-growing conservation organization in the world.”
Battison’s appointment comes as Origins continues expanding its international conservation portfolio, supporting wildlife research, habitat protection, community development and documentary storytelling. The foundation advocates for science-based conservation and the sustainable use of wildlife as tools for protecting species and supporting the communities that share their habitats.
“With Shawn on board, the Origins Foundation will soar to a new height and really take on championing the narrative for hunters and sustainable use of wildlife globally,” Kröger said.
During his tenure at Ducks Unlimited, Battison contributed to an organization dedicated to conserving wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. His experience will support Origins’ efforts to build relationships with conservation partners, supporters and organizations working across diverse wildlife landscapes.
“Shawn came to us from Ducks Unlimited, where he spent 19 years helping an amazing organization protect and restore wetlands, and put a significant amount of habitat on the ground for North America’s waterfowl,” Kröger said. “In his new role, Shawn will take that knowledge and expand it into the field of global wildlife conservation and sustainable use. We don’t think that there is a challenge that Shawn would not be able to handle.”
Battison is excited to join the Origins Foundation team. He says, “The Origins Foundation’s work is more important than ever as hunting faces growing threats and persistent misinformation from anti-hunting organizations. We have a responsibility to tell the full story of hunting’s role in conservation, its value to communities, and the commitment hunters make to wildlife and wild places. I’m excited to join this team and help build the partnerships and support needed to ensure that story is heard, understood, and carried forward for future generations.”
Battison’s appointment is effective Nov. 2, 2026, as the foundation continues building the organizational capacity needed to support conservation projects and partnerships internationally.
About The Origins Foundation
The Origins Foundation is an international conservation organization dedicated to advancing science-based wildlife conservation, sustainable use and community-focused initiatives. Through partnerships, field projects, research and documentary storytelling, the foundation works to demonstrate how conservation can protect wildlife while creating meaningful benefits for the communities that live alongside it.
Media Contact
Peter Kelly
The Origins Foundation
press@theoriginsfoundation.org