Looking Ahead: Meagan Diedolf on Leading CVSC into Its Next Chapter
December always gives us a moment to look back—and to look ahead. This year, that reflection comes with a sense of renewal as we welcome back someone who has long been part of CVSC’s story. After a year away, serving as Director of State Government Affairs at Charter Communications, Meagan Diedolf has returned to lead CVSC as our next president.
Many know Meagan from her previous role overseeing our policy and government relations work, where she played a key role in building bipartisan support for conservation across the state. Now, she’s stepping into this new role at a crucial time for South Carolina’s future.
We caught up with Meagan to hear about what inspires her most about this work and how she sees CVSC’s role evolving in the year ahead.
Q: Hi Meagan! CVSC has grown significantly in its strategy, leadership development, and policy agenda over the past few years. From your perspective, what progress are you most excited to build on as president?
A: There is so much to look forward to, but I am most excited to see the work of our talented staff coalesce into something bigger and more powerful than any one program alone. When our policy priorities, local organizing, electoral strategy, and leadership development are aligned, we are proactively shaping the conversation around conservation in South Carolina. That alignment is how we turn individual wins into durable change. I look forward to strengthening those connections so that every part of our work reinforces the others in order to build a winning, long-term conservation movement that can deliver results for years to come.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for South Carolina’s conservation movement, and where do you think CVSC is uniquely positioned to lead?
A: South Carolina is growing at a remarkable pace, but there is a shared desire across regions and political lines to protect what makes our state uniquely beautiful. As one of our staff recently put it, we need to “keep the woods woods.” Looking ahead, there is a significant opportunity to think more creatively about how we conserve land while responsibly managing growth.
The Governor’s 10-Million Acres initiative has created meaningful momentum around protecting working lands, forests, and open spaces. CVSC is uniquely positioned to build on that momentum by bringing together strong policy expertise, trusted bipartisan relationships, and grassroots support to help turn that vision into lasting conservation outcomes. This year is going to be really exciting!
Q: You’ve seen this organization from the inside for years as SVP of Policy & Government Relations. How do you hope to approach this new role differently now that you’re leading the whole organization?
A: I will always bring my past experience to my current role. Working in the weeds with partners and lawmakers to craft winning strategies gave me a grounded and practical understanding of how change happens in South Carolina. Having said that, this new role gives me the opportunity to think bigger and more holistically about the conservation movement as a whole.
My focus isn’t just about any single campaign. Now I get to think about how all the pieces—policy, elections, leadership development, communications, and partnerships—fit together to build a conservation movement that really resonates with people. I’m excited to lead with a wider lens.
Q: As we close out the year and prepare for a new legislative session, what message do you want to share with the supporters, partners, and advocates who make CVSC’s work possible?
A: It’s just that: You make our work possible. It is because of our supporters, partners, and advocates that I wanted to return to step back into this role and continue this work. The conservation community in South Carolina is extraordinary, and it is your shared commitment to leaving this state better than we found it that motivates me every single day.
As we head into a new legislative session, I know that we have asked a lot of our community and that won’t stop. We can’t afford to slow down or disengage now because the challenges ahead are real, but so are the opportunities. So stay with us, keep taking action, keep advocating for our state and our environment because it’s your support that makes all of the difference!
Q: On a lighter note: what’s something you’re looking forward to in the new year, either professionally or personally, that others might not know about you?
A: I am a painter, but over the last year I’ve suffered from some pretty serious artist block and it has taken away a real outlet for me. The good news is that I’m getting through it and I am really excited to get back into my craft. I started prepping some fresh canvas last week and I am eager to spend some of the next year in my studio, listening to my favorite music, and slapping some paint on a canvas.