Casey Hicks

As Organizing Director, Casey leads our team of field organizers to expand the voice of conservation voters and advance clean energy, water, and democracy priorities throughout Wisconsin. Casey works with the entire field team to develop and implement strategies that engage activists, build the next generation of leaders, and grow the conservation voter movement. As the first point of contact in our rapid response network, Casey makes sure that when policy news breaks, citizens are instantly informed and engaged.

My story

I grew up an only child in Random Lake. We spent our summers camping in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which first ignited my appreciation for the outdoors. Later on, my appreciation grew when I started running with my high school’s cross country team.

However, I never expected to one-day work in environmental advocacy.

Upon entering college, my goal was to eventually work for a human rights organization in the Middle East. After a year, I ran out of Arabic language classes to take and felt lost as to what my next steps would be. That’s when a close friend of mine announced their candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly. Their candidacy led to me managing their campaign, which shifted my focus from human rights issues abroad to the ones my neighbors were facing at home. Shortly after our campaign ended, I was asked to volunteer for the first time with Wisconsin Conservation Voters helping to make calls to support the Leading on Lead Bill. That experience me me realize the connections between human rights and the environment in Wisconsin for the first time.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, I had the honor of serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA for a small nonprofit specializing in improving life outcomes for children. Nearing the end of my year of service I applied to work with Wisconsin Conservation Voters and was fortunate enough to be hired in 2018.

My goal in organizing is to help people reach the same realization I had, that we are inextricably connected to the environment we live in, and to work alongside them in securing our rights as human beings to clean water, air, and public lands no matter who you are or where you live.

Background

  • Bachelor of science from University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, major in political science, minor in democracy and justice studies

  • 2020 New Leaders Council Fellow

  • Mentorship co-chair for New Leaders Council Wisconsin

  • Legislative Chair for Green Bay Trout Unlimited

  • Former vice president of Alpha Zeta Phi Fraternity

  • Former AmeriCorps VISTA

Interests

I enjoy hiking, biking, camping, brewing beer, reading, cooking, playing guitar/writing music, losing at board games, and watching the Badgers or Packers.

I’m a conservation voter because climate change presents the greatest challenge ever to our rights as human beings. It will take all of us in solidarity to advance the work environmental justice in our most vulnerable communities, at home and abroad.

Favorite place in Wisconsin: Anywhere in the Driftless region.

Email: casey@conservationvoters.org