Leila Hatch
Arlington,MA
Summary
Dynamic marine policy leader with extensive experience in the US federal government and international organizations, driving initiatives to reduce underwater noise and protect marine mammals. Proven track record in managing multimillion-dollar programs and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Recognized for innovative decision support tools and impactful communication, including peer-reviewed publications with over 63,000 views and international speaking engagements.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Advisor on Underwater Noise
United Nations International Maritime Organization
10.2024 - Current
- Leading a team of 4 consultants from the United States and Canada who are advising the Organization on reducing underwater noise from vessels.
- Curating and collating global knowledge and experience (150+ studies) to create centralized resources and support policy analyses
- Providing technical support to the UN-funded GloNoise project to build international capacity for shipping noise reduction
Manager, Sanctuary Sound Monitoring Program
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
11.2018 - Current
- Oversee ~$1M/year budget and 5 person team collecting underwater sound recordings from 31 coastal and offshore locations to provide publicly accessible and transparent means for reporting on the condition of national marine sanctuaries
- Manage contracts, grants or other cost-sharing arrangements with 15 institutional partners
- Provide technical support for policy making through consultations and permitting (National Marine Sanctuaries Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, Clean Water Act).
- Provide acoustic science and policy leadership for NOAA and US federal government (co-lead for NOAA’s Ocean Noise Strategy and $2M/year in US federal projects implementing quieter offshore operations)
- Member or technical support for US delegations to international forums addressing underwater noise (Arctic Council, UN General Assembly, UN International Maritime Organization, International Whaling Commission).
Marine Ecologist
NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
01.2009 - 10.2018
- Initiated and led passive acoustic research and policy program
- Co-authored NOAA’s Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap (lead author for 2 of 4 chapters) and associated agency Policy and Procedural Directives
- Co-founded and co-chaired the Interagency Task Force on Ocean Noise and Marine Life, chartered to the White House Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (11 US federal agencies).
- Supported US delegation's efforts at the UN International Maritime Organization leading to the ratification of the first international guidelines for quieting commercial vessels.
Marine Acoustics Coordinator
NOAA
03.2006 - 12.2008
- Contracted to lead a passive acoustic research project on large whales in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Knauss Marine Policy Fellow
Committee on Resources, US House of Representative
02.2005 - 02.2006
- Worked with Democratic staff to develop briefing and hearing materials and support re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Supporting negotiations on deepwater ports and offshore oil and gas incentives related to the passage of the Energy Policy Act.
- Congressional staff member on the US delegation to the International Whaling Commission.
Education
Ph.D. - Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY05-2004
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
Yale University
New Haven, CT05-1996
Skills
- Advocate: Leadership for agency and US government wide initiatives to enhance marine mammal protection through science-based underwater noise policy
- Administrator: Manager for $1-3M/year program, supervising a nationally-distributed 5 member team and coordinating 15 institutional partners
- Innovator: Awarded Department of Commerce's second highest honor, twice awarded NOAA's highest honor for pioneering new tools to support marine conservation policy making
- Communicator: 72 publications, frequent invited speaker for international panels and webinars, author or interviewee for underwater noise outreach and education materials (web stories, podcasts, media, Sonic Sea documentary)
Timeline
Senior Advisor on Underwater Noise
United Nations International Maritime Organization
10.2024 - Current
Manager, Sanctuary Sound Monitoring Program
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
11.2018 - Current
Marine Ecologist
NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
01.2009 - 10.2018
Marine Acoustics Coordinator
NOAA
03.2006 - 12.2008
Knauss Marine Policy Fellow
Committee on Resources, US House of Representative
02.2005 - 02.2006
Ph.D. - Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
Yale University
Similar Profiles
Obiananma AgbimObiananma Agbim
Humanitarian Technical Officer at United Nations-International Labour OrganizationHumanitarian Technical Officer at United Nations-International Labour Organization
Israel OlanipekunIsrael Olanipekun
Medical Assistant – Data Entry, Management & Analysis at INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION – UNITED NATIONS AGENCY (IOM-UN)Medical Assistant – Data Entry, Management & Analysis at INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION – UNITED NATIONS AGENCY (IOM-UN)
HOCINE CHAOUATHOCINE CHAOUAT
Operation Assistant (Movement) at International organization for Migration (United Nations)Operation Assistant (Movement) at International organization for Migration (United Nations)
David BettencourtDavid Bettencourt
Paraprofessional/Teacher's Assistant at Arlington Public SchoolsParaprofessional/Teacher's Assistant at Arlington Public Schools
Maxwell SlingluffMaxwell Slingluff
Process Development Associate II at The Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardProcess Development Associate II at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard