ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Elizabeth Stephenson is the director of the New England Aquarium’s Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF), a global small grants and fellowship program. With MCAF, Elizabeth focuses on supporting the long-term success, impact, and influence of ocean conservation leaders working in low- and middle-income countries. Elizabeth played a leading role in developing the MCAF Fellows Program in 2015 and in running the inaugural MCAF Fellows summit at NEAq in 2019. Through her membership in communities of practice, such as the Network of Engaged International Donors, Elizabeth works to advance equitable and trust-based approaches to philanthropy. She also serves as a scientific advisor to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s citizen science program. She has a Master’s in Marine Biology and Marine Policy from the University of Maine, Orono. Prior to her role at NEAq, Elizabeth worked for the Maine Coastal Program and as a high school science teacher.