Age: 39
Title: President/CEO
Workplace: The National Wildlife Federation
While most 40 Under 40 winners are focused on their careers and the people they serve in the workplace and local community, Collin O’Mara covers all that as well as the wildlife that Delawareans engage with on a daily basis. Since arriving in Delaware in 2009 to serve as secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control, O’Mara has helped create thousands of jobs related to key environmental projects across the state. His new role as the president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation has brought new investments to Delaware via the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act and Water Resources Development Act.
O’Mara’s line of work demands passion for the region, and he fuels that passion by leading a regional effort to restore the Delaware River Watershed, which provides drinking water for more than 15 million people. He is also focused on building infrastructure projects across state lines and pursuing cleaner sources of energy. O’Mara also works closely with numerous conservation and health groups, including the Delaware Nature Society (the National Wildlife Federation’s state affiliate in Delaware), the Nature Conservancy, the Brandywine/Red Clay Alliance, Delaware Wild Lands, Delmarva Ornithological Society and Ducks Unlimited.
