The UCLA School of Law's Maurice Salter Endowed Lecture in Nonprofits and Philanthropy series kicked off on April 3, 2024, with a lunchtime featuring pioneering conservationist Kris Tompkins. Kris Tompkins is president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, a nonprofit dedicated to tackling the climate crisis and mass extinction in the Southern Cone of South America.  Tompkins was joined by Jill Horwitz, Founding Faculty Director of the Lowell Milken Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits, and Juan Pablo Escudero, Emmett Institute Staff Attorney, for a captivating discussion. They delved into Tompkins' remarkable journey, from her California roots to her impactful work in South America, offering invaluable insights for aspiring environmentalists and nonprofit leaders. A recording of the talk is available at: https://bit.ly/2024salterlecture.

Inspired by a shared passion for the environment, Tompkins (the CEO of Patagonia for two decades) and her late husband, Doug Tompkins (founder of The North Face and co-founder of Esprit), retired from their illustrious business careers to devote their lives to addressing the climate and extinction crises. Tompkins currently oversees projects in Chile and Argentina creating national parks and marine sanctuaries and fostering rewilding—the process of protecting and restoring ecosystems. Her unwavering commitment was documented in "Wild Life," a documentary from the Oscar- winning duo behind “Free Solo.”