Kyla Hastie

Kyla Hastie became Deputy Regional Director for the Northeast Region in 2021. In this role, she serves with the Regional Director to oversee Service activities in 14 states from Maine to Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She is directly involved in handling the region's day–to-day operations to support efforts of the region’s more than 800 employees across 130 field stations.

Hastie previously worked as the region’s Assistant Regional Director for External Affairs for 13 years, where she led a creative team of communicators who work with news media, Congress, and partners to tell important conservation stories. She was responsible for the region’s employee communications program. Her team also fostered government-to-government relationships with Federally recognized Tribes. Hastie is a graduate of the Service’s Advanced Leadership Development Program, and the Stepping Up To Leadership Program.

She began working for the Service in the Southeast Region. Based Athens, Ga., she served in several positions, including public affairs specialist, Native American liaison, friends group coordinator and special event planner. Hastie began her career in conservation with The Nature Conservancy, working as a government affairs specialist in Arlington, Va., and as outreach coordinator for the Altamaha River Bioreserve in Darien, Ga.

Hastie holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Tx., and master's degrees in public affairs and in environmental science from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.