Strengthened Leadership at the Global Ocean Forum

Tony MacDonald is director of the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI). He was previously the executive director of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) from 1998-2005. CSO, based in Washington, DC, represents the interests of the governors of the nation’s 35 coastal states and territories on coastal and ocean policy matters. Prior to joining CSO, Tony was the special counsel and director of environmental affairs at the American Association of Port Authorities, where he represented the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) at the International Maritime Organization on negotiations on the London Convention. Tony has also practiced law with a private firm in Washington, DC, working on environmental and legislative issues, and served as the Washington, DC, environmental legislative representative for the Mayor of the City of New York.

In the spring of 2023, Sarah graduated from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) with a Master of Marine Affairs. While at SMEA, her research focused on the emerging role of marine fisheries “other effective area-based conservation measures,” or OECMs, in global conservation efforts and policy. She was partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations for this work and have since continued to foster a passion for international marine biodiversity and fishery policy. Before that, she graduated from Whitman College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology- Environmental Studies, with a focus on ecology and biodiversity.   Sarah’s work experience includes working as a consultant for the Fisheries Management and Assessment team of the Fisheries Division of FAO. In this position, she focused on capacity building and stakeholder engagement on the topic of marine fisheries OECMs and aided in developing a framework for assessing the biodiversity outcomes that can be expected to come from sustainable fishery management. Prior to this, she also worked as an intern in the Fisheries Division at FAO and as a research coordinator for the University of Washington, Department of Family Medicine. Academics and school aside, Sarah is an outdoor and travel enthusiast and spends as much time outdoors as her schedule allows. She grew up in the greater Seattle area and can certainly credit the beauty of the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands as major contributors to her passion for the sustainable management and conservation of marine spaces. Sarah is looking forward to leading the development of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP28, supporting the GOF strategic planning, and contributing to ongoing GOF work on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Catie Mitchell is a dedicated advocate for marine conservation. Originally hailing from the Washington, D.C. area, she fostered a lifelong passion for the ocean while exploring the East Coast of the United States. Catie’s academic journey began with a B.A. in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology from Vanderbilt University, providing her with a solid foundation for her future endeavors. Catie then enrolled in a rotational graduate program hosted by Ghent University, where she earned an M.S. in Marine Biological Resources. Throughout this dynamic program, she embraced various placements at partner institutions across Europe, immersing herself in diverse research and management experiences. These experiences granted her a deep understanding of marine ecosystems on a global scale. Following the completion of her studies, Catie’s dedication to marine education led her to contribute her expertise as a marine educator at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. There, she played a vital role in educating and inspiring others about the significance of preserving our oceans for future generations. Most recently, Catie took her passion to Clean Ocean Action, where she made significant contributions by running community science programs, managing grants, and contributing to local and state policy development. Her work furthered the organization’s mission of protecting marine life and ensuring the well-being of our oceans. With an array of experiences and an unwavering dedication to marine conservation, Catie is now eagerly embracing new challenges. She hopes to contribute to the sustainable future of our oceans as she returns to the management of global marine ecosystems. Catie is thrilled to join the Global Ocean Forum, where she will address the multitude of challenges facing marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).