Natural Lands recently announced that Paulina Jerez has joined as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. 

Jerez is a notable Latina legal professional, who also serves as senior counsel for the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. She has been with the Commission for over 24 years. 

In a press release, Natural Lands President Oliver Bass said that the organization is “very fortunate” to have Jerez join its board. 

“The combination of her professional experience, commitment to equity, and energetic passion for our mission make her an ideal addition to our Board,” he added.

Jerez highlights that she is energized by Natural Lands’ mission.

“Particularly the organization’s vision for ‘Nature for All,’” she said.

Jerez added, “The beauty of conservation is that, while it ultimately benefits future generations, we get to enjoy it right now. We have such an opportunity to get even more people connected to the outdoors.”

Natural Lands is the Philadelphia region's oldest and largest land conservation organization, dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature's wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for all. 

Jerez and her family are frequent visitors of the country’s national parks — from Everglades to Acadia to Sequoia.

“Especially with my kids, I find walking together in nature gives us unique time to talk with each other in ways that we don’t get to do in our normal day-to-day,” said Jerez. “Hiking together with no phones, no earbuds, no distractions… that’s special time.”

Natural Lands isn’t the only board Jerez serves on. 

She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Phillips Exeter Academy, her alma mater. In addition, she is a member of the Partners in Equity Council for the Philadelphia Federal Executive Board, where she works to promote inclusive and nurturing work environments across federal agencies. 

Jerez is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Latin American studies. 

During her time as an undergrad, she was a grant recipient to research the future impacts of a free trade agreement between Chile and the United States at the Corporation for Economic Research in Latin America in Chile’s capital, Santiago. 

She also earned an MBA and JD from the American University Washington College of Law. 

In law school, Jerez was the executive editor of the American University International Law Review.