Eric Schwaab

Eric is an accomplished conservation leader with experience in government and the foundation and non-profit sectors. In his role as Senior Vice President for the Ecosystems & Oceans program, he leads a global team of scientists, lawyers and advocates working to create thriving, resilient oceans. He brings more than two decades of experience driving complex conservation initiatives to scale.

Schwaab, who served as head of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), has deep expertise coordinating environmental policy while working with stakeholders on all sides to ensure the best possible outcomes for the environment and fishing communities.

At NMFS, Eric led the transformation of U.S. fisheries management, including widespread adoption of science-based catch limits and catch shares. He represented the United States in negotiations of international fishing treaties such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as well as important bilateral negotiations with other countries such as Mexico and Canada.

He has led government agencies at state and federal levels managing coastal and ocean resources, ran a conservation grant-making program at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and was chief of conservation programs at the National Aquarium and the National Park Foundation.