Dr. Caleb McClennen is the Vice President of Global Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. McClennen leads WCS’ cross cutting strategies designed to mitigate global drivers of environmental decline. This current portfolio includes WCS’ solutions for our oceans, the causes and impacts of climate change, livelihoods and market-oriented strategies. Combined, this portfolio of global solutions is designed to tackle those issues that transcend any individual species, park, country, or continent. Caleb additionally provides overall strategic leadership and representation for WCS’ organizational efforts to build multi-institutional partnerships with NGOs, companies, and philanthropy to impact beyond the footprint of WCS’ 3000+ staff in 60 countries worldwide. Caleb also holds appointments as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia University’s School of Public and International Affairs, the Earth Institute Center for Environment and Sustainability, serves as an overseer of the Woods Hole Sea Education Association and an advisor the New England Aquarium Marine Conservation Action Fund.
Previously, Caleb directed WCS’ global marine conservation efforts to improve fisheries, establish effective marine reserves and conserve some of the world’s most important marine biodiversity. In this role, Caleb managed a team of several hundred marine conservationists in the waters of 24 countries across all five oceans in addition to the conservation efforts of the New York Aquarium. Prior to WCS, Caleb spent over ten years at sea and abroad as an Environmental Advisor to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a GIS analyst and marine scientist with Woods Hole Sea Education Association. Caleb holds an undergraduate degree from Middlebury College in Environmental Studies and Geography and a Masters and PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in International Environmental Policy and Development Economics. Learn more here.