Dr. Norris began her career as a federal scientist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in New Mexico, later becoming the Sacramento Field Supervisor. She then served as Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), leading the 30×30 initiative to conserve 30% of California’s lands by 2030 and the Cutting Green Tape initiative for ecological restoration. In 2023, she became the first female executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Norris holds degrees from Cornell University, the University of Michigan, and the University of New Mexico.