Carrie Besnette Hauser

Carrie Besnette Hauser is an American higher education, philanthropy, and conservation leader serving as the president and chief executive officer of Trust for Public Land since 2024. An avid outdoorswoman, she has summited Colorado’s 58 14,000 thousand foot peaks (14ers), climbed mountains across the United States and abroad, and is a former river guide (“Swamper”) in Grand Canyon national park.

Life Hauser was born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. She graduated from Flagstaff High School and went on to complete a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and master's and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles. concluding her service in 2024 as the first President Emerita in the college's history. Hauser has served on various non-profit and state boards including the American Council on Education, American Rivers, and chair of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Hauser married Jeff Hauser on May 29, 2010, in Jefferson, Colorado.