Heather Ludemann is the Ocean Initiative, Americas Director at The David & Packard Foundation where she leads strategy and grantmaking that amplifies and catalyzes global and domestic efforts to conserve marine biodiversity. She is particularly interested in the nexus of the ocean and climate change, Indigenous leadership in conservation, and environmental policy. Heather joined the Foundation in 2008 and has over twenty years of experience in marine conservation. Previously Heather worked at NOAA focused on habitat and fisheries issues and served as a Presidential Management Fellow in Congress. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental studies from Tufts University and a master’s degree in marine policy with a certificate in conservation biology policy from the University of Washington.