Madeline Drake was appointed by Governor Newsom as Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat at the California Natural Resources Agency in March 2026. In this role, she leads statewide conservation efforts, including implementation of California’s 30x30 strategy to conserve 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, as well as Cutting Green Tape, an initiative focused on streamlining permitting and funding to accelerate the pace and scale of environmental restoration. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, coordinating across CNRA’s departments, conservancies, and commissions as well as engaging external partners to advance the state’s 30x30 goals. She also served as Biodiversity Coordinator at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she lead development of California’s “Pathways to 30x30” strategic framework. Earlier in her career, she was a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supporting Endangered Species Act listing decisions and species recovery planning. Madeline holds a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina and an M.S. in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, scuba diving, and exploring California’s diverse landscapes and coastlines.
