Stephanie Webb, Ph.D.
Soquel,CA
Summary
I am a results-oriented senior interdisciplinary natural resource manager with strong expertise in research, regulatory compliance, mentorship, and program development. I drive project execution with curiosity, teamwork and analytical and communication skills. I have a track record of facilitating effective knowledge exchange between advisory bodies and stakeholders and lead difficult conversations with professionalism and curiosity. I am dedicated to managing natural resources in ways that ensure safe, equitable access for the communities who rely on them. I am seeking roles in work cultures that prioritize scientific integrity, value ingenuity, celebrate high quality work, and support work life balance. I am ready to tackle new challenges with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Scientist
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
01.2023 - Current
- Implement and ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations (i.e., OSCLA, NEPA, CAA, CWA, NHPA, Essential Fish Habitat, and other key environmental legislation).
- Evaluate social, economic, and environmental impacts within permitting frameworks for offshore energy projects (e.g., renewables, mineral mining, and oil and gas).
- Analyze and evaluate data, including identifying information gaps, and recommending necessary research for adequate assessment related to the OCS energy activities.
- Prepare and review technical, environmental, and decision documents for OCS programs.
- Ensure integration of scientific methods, legal requirements, and departmental policies while streamlining review procedures.
- Coordinate and manage environmental studies, including developing procurement packages, evaluating proposals, and ensuring studies meet scientific and cost-effectiveness standards.
- Represent the Bureau in inter-agency meetings and public forums to communicate environmental issues, foster collaboration, and maintain constructive relationships with regional offices and stakeholders.
Research Scientist
University of New Hampshire
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led research on the implications of permitting strategies for sustainable food supply chains, focusing on regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
- Design and lead quantitative data collection on the role of cultural identity in shaping consumers’ engagement in marine-based food supply chains, including finfish, shellfish, livestock production, aquaculture, and wild-harvest fisheries.
- Take a leadership role in the dissemination of the projects, including the writing of journal articles, grant proposals, and presentations for the scientific community, as well as outreach products and presentations for farmers and stakeholders.
- Mentor, coordinate, and supervise graduate students.
Senior Research Scientist
North American Marine Alliance
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Conducted qualitative assessments related to aquaculture permitting, ensuring compatibility with environmental laws, regulations, and permitting requirements.
- Led research design, stakeholder engagement, and qualitative data collection, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups from over 100 participants.
- Participate in outreach activities that include meetings with stakeholders and partners, and preparing aquaculture-related informational materials, fact sheets, or publications.
California State Sea Grant Fellow
California State Water Resources Control Board
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Assisted in interpreting water quality standards and policies, providing insights to support aquaculture permitting in line with the Clean Water Act, the State Water Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the U.S. EPA.
- Maintained interpersonal communication sufficient to work effectively as a key member of a team, and collaborate with other groups, agencies, and departments with various views.
Lead Researcher
University of California, Santa Cruz
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Conducted comprehensive studies on the interactions of fisheries management with regulatory frameworks, focusing on environmental impacts, and compliance with permitting processes.
- Assessed 50 years of fisheries policy and fisheries-dependent and independent data using the best available software tools (e.g., NVivo, GIS, R, and R Studio).
- Conduct ethnographic research and 40+ interviews in California and Alaska, USA; Tokyo and Hokkaido, Japan; and Hong Kong, China, and navigate global travel logistics independently while adhering to IRB guidelines.
- Interpret, explain, and apply state and federal laws, policies, codes, permitting, and regulations to marine resource management, working waterfronts, and community development.
- Managed all contractors, interns, and invoices, and communicated project updates, milestones, and performance compliance with over 23 grantors.
Graduate Student Researcher
U.S. Center of Excellent of Water
12.2020 - 02.2021
- Analyzed and prepared documentation addressing environmental and socio-cultural issues concerning water use and pollution, specifically in relation to permitting for OCS activities.
- Developed an international, multi-institutional process to secure applied water research grants aimed at enhancing compliance and assessment standards.
- Coordinated an international workshop with key stakeholders to create a National Water Research Roadmap, ensuring alignment with environmental permitting objectives.
- Hosted webinars that focused on sustainable water management, equipping participants with knowledge relevant to environmental impacts and permitting.
Program Director
Bodega Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Secured over $200,000 to develop an environmentally sustainable seafood enterprise, emphasizing compliance with permitting requirements.
- Conducted assessments of the interactions between marine activities, fisheries, and energy production, ensuring all projects met environmental permitting standards.
- Led a multidisciplinary team in the establishment of a fishermen’s cooperative, fostering collaboration to address permitting challenges in the seafood industry.
- Hired and trained personnel to enhance permitting-related project management and compliance efforts.
- Consulting .5 FTE
Research and Innovation Fellow in Agriculture
WorldFish
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Assisted in planning and managing research initiatives to evaluate environmental impacts from inland aquaculture activities, focusing on compliance and permitting.
- Conducted 30+ interviews with key stakeholders: practitioners, wholesalers, and academia, etc., to enhance understanding of aquaculture permitting processes and improve efficiency in regulatory compliance.
- Fostered relationships with partners to streamline permitting, and develop best practices for aquaculture operations in Egypt.
- Lead a bilingual sensory science workshop with over 40 participants in collaboration with Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center and the Egyptian Chefs Association.
Sustainability Program Manager
Real Good Fish
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Analyzed complex environmental and socio-cultural issues in marine fisheries, focusing on permitting implications for seafood production and distribution.
- Established a framework for monitoring sustainability metrics, ensuring alignment with environmental permitting standards for community-supported fisheries.
- Managed contractors to meet compliance deadlines, and assessed project milestones associated with environmental permits.
- Consulting 0.5 FTE.
Environmental Impact Program Manager
Noyo Fish Company
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Interpreted environmental laws and regulations to enhance environmental assessments related to marine and coastal activities, and their permitting implications.
- Coordinated stakeholder meetings to ensure compliance with permitting requirements, and collaborated with contractors and environmental consultants.
- Consulting 0.3 FTE.
South Coast Community Fisheries Revitalization Program Manager
California Coastal Conservancy
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Conducted over 30 interviews with stakeholders to evaluate the social and physical infrastructure affecting fishing community sustainability, and permitting challenges.
- Authored white papers outlining the regulatory landscape and permitting considerations relevant to the long-term sustainability of fisheries in Southern California.
- Consulting 0.3 FTE.
Community Fisheries Network Program Manager
Ecotrust
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Developed and facilitated technical assistance, business planning tools, and workshops for 15+ fishing communities.
- Developed technical assistance tools and workshops that educated local communities about the importance of sustainable practices and their implications for permitting.
Ecosystem Program Director
Port Orford Ocean Resource Team
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Led participatory mapping initiatives that included stakeholders in ocean planning discussions, emphasizing permitting compliance, and environmental assessments.
- Analyzed socio-cultural issues related to wave energy and commercial fisheries, ensuring that permitting frameworks considered stakeholder interests, and environmental impacts.
- Served as a liaison between state planning bodies: the Territorial Sea Plan Advisory Council (TSPAC), the Ocean Planning Advisory Council (OPAC), and Curry County commercial fishermen and community members.
- Secured $200,000 for developing and managing a community-supported fishery (CSF) – the first USDA grant awarded to a local seafood marketing effort in the U.S.
Education
Ph.D. - Environmental Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California, USA08-2022
M.A. - Environmental Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California, USA01.2018
Master’s - Urban & Regional Planning
Eastern Washington State University
Spokane, Washington, USA06-2010
B.S. - Business Administration
Missouri Western State University
St. Joseph, Missouri, USA06-2004
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance: Expert knowledge of multi-jurisdictional coastal and marine policy
- Environmental Assessments: Skilled in conducting and reviewing environmental assessments for marine and coastal development projects, including offshore energy and aquaculture
- Problem-solving: Skilled at navigating multifaceted issues, adept at breaking down complex problems and demonstrated ability of applying strategic, actionable resolutions
- Research Design: Proven ability to design mixed-methods, cross disciplinary research while maintaining rigorous scientific integrity
- Data Analysis: Proficient in using analytical tools and methods to identify information gaps and analyze relevant and replicable data
- Stakeholder Engagement: Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including various ocean user groups, regulatory agencies, and decision makers
- Program Development: Possess the ability to forecast and implement program needs, resources, and milestones
Accomplishments
- Designed a $1.5M community engagement program in 4 months time.
- Led a group achievement award exceeding $20,000 for more than five employees.
- Earned a STAR employee award within the first six months of employment.
- Established several vital partnerships that were previously unattainable by the organization.
Professional Development
- 2025 DOI Individual Development Plan Training
- 2024 West Coast Floating Offshore Wind Workforce Network
- 2024 FOIA Training for All Federal Employees
- 2023 BSEE/BOEM Seminar on the Importance of Modeling the Gulf and Other Regions with the High Horizontal Resolution
- 2023 NEPA Cumulative Effects Analysis / NEPA Environmental Change Analysis / Accelerating Environmental Reviews with Technology: Tips and Techniques
- 2022 Statistics Refresher, State Water Board
- 2022 Removing Bias from Decision Making, State Water Board
- 2022 Social Science for Coastal Managers, NOAA
- 2022 Revising and Proof-Reading Technical Reports, State Water Board
- 2022 Facilitation Basics for Coastal Managers, NOAA
- 2020 Marine Resource Education Program, Gulf of Maine Institute
- 2018 SQL Training, SWFSC
- 2017 Human Subjects Research Training, UCSC
- 2012 Leadership and Facilitation Training, Ford Foundation
- 2011 Project Design and Evaluation, NOAA
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Lecturer, Santa Clara University, The Center for Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Winter 2022)
- Design a course that fulfills two SCU learning pathways: (1) Food, Hunger, Poverty, Environment Pathway and (2) the Sustainability Pathway.
- Initiated, organized, and executed in-person and virtual (hybrid) synchronous learning for 25+ upper-division undergraduates.
- Exploring the relationship between poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in both less developed and developed nations.
- Investigating the influence of logistics, infrastructure, transportation technology, and storage technology of food distribution efficiency.
Faculty Diversification Fellow, Bakersfield College, Bakersfield, California, USA (Fall 2022)
- Participate in the “Teaching at a California Community College” course focusing on the examination of existing literature, theory, and best practices for teaching in the California Community College System.
- Engage with a Faculty Mentor for 4 hours a week and conduct course shadowing for 16 weeks.
- Develop a scholarly narrative that describes observations and lessons learned about the instructional process's planning, depth, and breadth.
Coastal and Marine Policy Instructor of Record, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA (Wintr’ 21/22)
- Assessed the interrelationships of marine and human activity in marine and coastal environments in the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the continental shelf, and the high seas.
- Taught future science leaders skills needed to perform background research, prepare reports, evaluate findings, and execute project plans related to marine spatial planning, aquaculture, fisheries management.
- Designed an active learning syllabus that covers the basics of marine science with examples of policy applications and executed Zoom-based synchronous learning
Environmental Risk and Policy Instructor of Record, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA (Sum’r 20)
- Interpret, explain, and apply policies, procedures, standards, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to the municipal planning process, including C.E.Q.A. and N.E.P.A
- Developed undergraduate curriculum and syllabi, including preparing quizzes, midterms, and final exams.
Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA (2016 – 2019)
- Led section meetings with paper discussions and reviewed material from lectures.
- Facilitated laboratory activities and led field trips.
- Assessed student papers, homework, midterms, and final exams.
- Held weekly office hours and tutoring sessions for class material and written assignments.
- Courses: Freshwater & Wetland Ecology (2x); Environmental Law (2x); Intro GIS; Environmental Policy & Economics
Invited Classroom Lecturers
- “Water-Energy Nexus,” UCSC, Sustainable Water Systems
- “Seafood, changing seascapes, and food security,” Syracuse University, Food, Environment, and Environmental Change
- “Changing ecosystems on seafood systems and adaptive strategies in coastal communities,” UCSC, Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems.
- “United States fisheries management and common law,” UCSC, Environmental Law
- “Food sovereignty and logistics in seafood,” UCSC, Environmental Studies.
- “Ecological change and seafood: fishing community responses to oceanic regime shifts,” UCSC, Sustainable Food Systems Class.
In the News
- 2022 “For student parents, graduating means beating the odds.” Cal Matters by E. Margaretten
- 2019 “Trash fish: a list of the sustainable seafood we should be eating.” Huffington Post by A. Balagur
- 2019 “There will be no herring catch in SF Bay this year.” San Francisco Chronicle by T. Duggan.
- 2016 “Egyptian chefs put farmed tilapia to the taste test.” WorldFish Press Release by Mona El Azzay
- 2013 “Fair fish on San Francisco fisherman’s wharf.” Earth Island Journal by Zoe Loftus-Farren
- 2012 “Knowing your farmer – and your fisherman.” Ecotrope OPB by Cassandra Profita
Mentoring Experience
- 2025 James Elekwachi, BOEM & Sea Grant Knauss Fellows
- 2024 Aubrey Jane and Ekaterina Altman, BOEM & Sea Grant Knauss Fellows “EBM in offshore wind development planning” and “Public health in offshore energy development training”
- 2021 Luis Esquives, UCSC “Complex socio-spatial networks in the Pacific herring fishery and roe trade using science illustration.”
- 2021 Yusen Cao, UCSC “Conducting an economic value chain and proportionality test for evaluating supply chain labor in the Pacific herring and roe fishery.”
- 2021 Eric Goldbeck-Dimon & Tiffany Theden, UCSC “Species distribution, environmental change, and spatial ecology of Pacific herring along the Pacific Rim.”
- 2020 Katerine Sonnenfeldt, UCSC “Data entry and statistical analysis of sensory science surveys”
- 2020 Cierra Mesman, UCSC “Evaluating the dietary outputs and designing a database of various seafood products macronutrients.”
Selected Presentations
- 2024 “Building Relationships.” Human Environment Fundamentals. BOEM. Optional Training.
- 2022 “Unevenness in multiscalar seafood commerce derails seafood localism in the United States: analysis of the Pacific herring production network.” UCSC, Graduate Research Symposium. POSTER.
- 2021 “Water-Energy Nexus,” UCSC, Sustainable Water Systems
- 2021 “Seafood, changing seascapes, and food security,” Syracuse University.
- 2021 “Changing environmental effects on seafood and adaptive strategies in coastal communities,” UCSC.
- 2020 “Unevenness in America’s blue economy: socio-spatial juxtapositions in global and local seafood value chains.” The California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations. Virtual. POSTER
- 2019 “SEA + Tech: technology for environmental entrepreneurs.” Local Seafood Summit. Portland, Oregon.
- 2018 “Privatization of Public Resources: PCFFA vs. NOAA,” UCSC
- 2018 “United States fisheries management and Common Law,” UCSC
- 2017 “Food sovereignty and logistics in seafood,” UCSC
- 2017 “Ecological changes and seafood: fishing community responses to oceanic regime shifts,” UCSC
Publications & Technical Reports
- 2025 Jane, A., Pinkard-Meier, DR., Schroeder, D., Webb, S., Regional profiles of concerns regarding fisheries-offshore wind interactions in the US Pacific. In progress.
- 2024 Webb, S., Chapter 3.6. Socioeconomics., Draft Environmental Assessment Commercial Wind Lease Issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Offshore, Oregon. BOEM, Pacific Region.
- 2022 Walsh, K., and Webb, S., Partner Agency Report for the Marine Protected Area Decadal Review. Submission to California Department of Fish and Wildlife. State Water Resources Control Board.
- 2022 Webb S. Notification of opportunity for AB52 Tribal consultation to amend a discharge prohibition exception in the Northwest Santa Catalina Island Area of Special Biological Significance. California State Water Resources Control Board.
- 2021 Dolan J, Walsh K, Robbins M, & Webb S. Responses to Comments on the Amendment to the Water Quality Control Policy on the Use of Coastal and Estuarine Waters for Power Plant Cooling to Extend the Compliance Schedule for the Redondo Beach Generating Station. State Water Resources Control Board. Available on the State Water Resources Control Board website.
- 2021 Webb S. Applications of marine pollution management in aquaculture. Letter to the Ocean Protection Council from California State Water Resources Control Board.
- 2021 Sewilam H, Haddad B, Ali Akram, Sherif D, ... Webb S. Center of Excellence for Water – National Water Research Road Map. Report to U.S. Agency for International Development. Award No. 72026319-CA00001
- 2017 Webb S. Turning Tides on Export Seafood Marketing – A New Sustainable Seafood Business Enterprise in Bodega Bay, CA. Report to United States Department of Agriculture. Contract No. 15-LFPP-CA-0080
- 2016 Webb S, Lovewell A, and Finn M. Scaling Local Bounty – A Sea Change for Local Seafood Systems. Report to United States Department of Agriculture. Contract No. 14-LFPPX-CA-0030
- 2015 Webb S and Lovewell A. Scaling Local Catch Monterey Bay for Neighboring Communities. Report to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Fisheries Innovation Fund. Contract No. 037508
- 2015 Webb S, Lovewell A, Koehn Z, Scorse J, Finn M, and Edwards R. Strategic Planning and Sustainability Metrics for Real Good Fish: a cross-scale examination of resilience for Community Supported Fisheries. A synthesis report to Local Bounty.
- 2014 Webb S. Social and Economic Factors Influencing the Revitalization of Southern California’s Waterfronts. Report to California State Coastal Conservancy. Project No. 13-030-01
Award & Grants
Present - 2021
- BOEM Special Thanks for Achieving Results (2)
- BOEM Student Loan Reimbursement Recruitment Award
- BOEM Hiring Recruitment Award
- AFHVS Conference Travel Award
- Justman Scholarship, UCSC
- Concur, Inc. Scholarship, UCSC
- California Sea Grant Fellowship
2020 - 2018
- STARS, UCSC
- Chancellor Dissertation Fellowship, UCSC
- Heller Agroecology Research Grant, UCSC Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurs
- Global Food Initiative Fellowship, UCOP
- ENVS Dept. Research Grant, UCSC
- Women’s Club Scholarship, UCSC
2017
- NSF I-Corps Fellowship, UCSC
- Dissertation Development Program, SSRC
- ENVS Dept. Research Grant, UCSC
- STARS, UCSC
- David Gaines Award, UCSC
- Concur, Inc. Scholarship, UCSC
- Ideas Hub, UCSC
- Big Ideas Competition, 2nd Place Winner, UC Berkeley
2016 - 2012
- Agriculture Research & Innovation Fellowship
- USDA: A New Sustainable Seafood Business Enterprise in Bodega Bay, CA
- Regents Scholarship, UCSC
- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation: Regional Community Fishing Sustainability Planning
- USDA: Scaling Local Catch Monterey Bay – Community Supported Fishery
- California State Coastal Conservancy: Southern California Coastal Fisheries Revitalization & Sustainability Planning
2011
- JW & HM Goodman Family Foundation: Community Marine Spatial Planning
- USDA: Community Supported Fisheries & Fishermen Marketing Cooperative
- Oregon Wave Energy Trust: Territorial Sea Planning Stakeholder Engagement
- Oregon DLCD: Garrison Lake Septic Revitalization Project
- NOAA Fellowship Endorsement, OR Sea Grant
2010
- Oregon State Parks: Battle Rock Park Restoration Project
- Department of Environmental Quality (319): Septic Revitalization Project
- “PAW Award,” American Planning Association
Timeline
Social Scientist
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
01.2023 - Current
Research Scientist
University of New Hampshire
01.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Research Scientist
North American Marine Alliance
01.2022 - 01.2023
California State Sea Grant Fellow
California State Water Resources Control Board
01.2021 - 01.2022
Graduate Student Researcher
U.S. Center of Excellent of Water
12.2020 - 02.2021
Research and Innovation Fellow in Agriculture
WorldFish
06.2016 - 08.2016
Lead Researcher
University of California, Santa Cruz
01.2015 - 01.2022
Program Director
Bodega Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
01.2014 - 01.2017
Sustainability Program Manager
Real Good Fish
01.2014 - 01.2016
Environmental Impact Program Manager
Noyo Fish Company
01.2014 - 01.2015
South Coast Community Fisheries Revitalization Program Manager
California Coastal Conservancy
01.2013 - 01.2014
Community Fisheries Network Program Manager
Ecotrust
01.2012 - 01.2014
Ecosystem Program Director
Port Orford Ocean Resource Team
01.2010 - 01.2013
Ph.D. - Environmental Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
M.A. - Environmental Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Master’s - Urban & Regional Planning
Eastern Washington State University
B.S. - Business Administration
Missouri Western State University