ERICA CUNNINGHAM
Bozeman
Summary
I am a motivated, passionate and accomplished professional in sustainable development and environmental conservation with broad and deep global experience in helping people and nature thrive. I aim to forge and lead global partnerships and strategies for marine conservation through protecting biodiversity, adapting and mitigating climate change, and ensuring a human rights approach to food security and livelihoods via participatory processes with justice and equity at the center of what I do. I am equally comfortable speaking with small-scale fishers about their catch of the day, as I am negotiating high-level private and public partnerships with government and industry. I am results driven and thrive in a fast-paced work environment where I can foster collaboration to meet both local and global goals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Associate Vice President, Latin America, EDF Oceans
Environmental Defense Fund
02.2021 - 01.2024
- Built a Latin America strategy for EDF People and Nature program focused on climate resilience, sustainable food systems, ocean science and observation, and community livelihoods
- Managed teams across Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Chile and Peru, while liaising with other global programs across Asia and North America, with an annual operational budget of over 3 million, 35 staff and consultants
- Successfully aligned partnerships and fundraising from the Global Environment Facility, UNDP, USAID and FAO in the Latin America region, resulting in: combatting IUU fishing through the Por la Pesca program in Ecuador and Peru, collaborative learning networks and communities of practice for small scale fisheries in Peru, Chile, Mexico and Cuba as part of the SSFHub.org, marine science advisory role for the protection of marine mammals under the Blue Boat Initiative, as well as the Ocean Observation, Prediction and Early Warning System for Climate Impacts on the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem
- Provided leadership and spoke on behalf of EDF and our partners at high level global events such as UN Oceans Conference, COP25 and others.
Director, South America, EDF Oceans
Environmental Defense Fund
11.2016 - 02.2021
- Managed all of EDF Oceans Program work in South America (Chile, Peru and Ecuador)
- Contributed to program fundraising and grant writing with EDF Development team and manages an operational budget of over a million annually
- Created strategic plans and partnerships for the program, including signed collaboration agreements with government agencies, NGOs, academia, and private sector
- Lead projects related to climate change adaptation, sustainable fisheries management and creation of thriving coastal communities in Chile and Peru
- Managed government and public policy relations and a team of 5 staff and consultants in two countries.
Independent Environment and Sustainability Consultant
03.2012 - 10.2016
- Conducted scoping assessments for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for reform and ecosystem-based management in the UN Biosphere Reserve of the Colorado River Delta and Upper Gulf of California
- Organized and fundraised for Indigenous peoples' participation in watershed and fishery management in the UN Biosphere Reserve of the Colorado River Delta and Upper Gulf of California
- Conducted project management and strategy recommendations for Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) fisheries programs in Mexico, Chile, Cuba and Belize
- Conducted a sustainable supply chain and conservation seminars for Chilean fishing cooperatives with The Nature Conservancy and Caplog Group
- Provided strategy and mission alignment to Adventure Scientists helping to improve their project development pipeline, fundraising trajectory, marketing and communications
- Project scoping, design, monitoring and evaluation of marine protected areas and fisheries in Indonesia, Brazil, Mozambique and Philippines for the Fish Forever initiative between EDF, Rare and University of California, Santa Barbara.
Conservation and Fisheries Project Coordinator, EDF
Environmental Defense Fund
02.2010 - 03.2012
- Worked in the Upper Gulf of California as the main coordinator between stakeholders, partner non-profits and all levels of government to design, implement and promote resource management strategies using marine protected areas, catch shares and other sustainable fishery management tools
- Made presentations and reports in Spanish and English on marine protected areas and fishery management, eco-markets, monitoring, and sustainable community development
- Coordinated communications strategy and outreach for all different audiences.
Executive Director, Punta de Mita Foundation
Punta de Mita Foundation
02.2008 - 02.2010
- Grant-making in the areas of sustainable community planning, environmental education, conservation initiatives, and public health
- Oversight of grant-making, budgets, and fundraising events with over a million US dollars in annual operational budget
- Coordinator and organizer of non-profit initiatives between the seven communities in the region, local and state government, and the private sector
- Project development and drafting of annual reports, budgets and newsletters
- Manager of donor relations with both corporate and individual private donors.
Manager CSR, Econergy International
Econergy International
06.2006 - 01.2008
- Organized and designed a foundation for grassroots development in rural Bolivia dealing with renewable energy provision and green building
- Helped review project proposals, budgets and led communication between Econergy and its business partners/clients for corporate social responsibility
- Completed political risk analyses for Econergy's Latin American investments
- Member of the development team for Econergy's Corporate Social Responsibility programs.
Education
Master of Arts - International Development and Environmental Policy -
Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
12.2006
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies, Political Science -
Middlebury College, Magna Cum Laude
05.2003
Skills
- Strategic vision and planning
- Project management, team management and team building
- Environmental conflict negotiation
- Partnership building and collaboration
Certification
- Environmental Conflict Negotiation - Udall Foundation
- Impact Investment for Equity - Impact Investment Exchange IIX
- Certified ToP Facilitator - Center for Strategic Facilitation
Personal Information
Citizenship: American Mexican dual citizen
Languages
- Spanish, Bilingual
- French, Proficient
- Italian, Proficient
- Portuguese, Intermediate
References
- Tom Grasso, Former EDF Vice President, Climate Resilient Food Systems, Colleague, Supervisor, tgrasso2021@gmail.com
- Julio Chamorro Solis, Community leader and grassroots activist, President of MPA management council, juliochamorro.solis@gmail.com
- Admiral Hector Soldi, Peruvian Navy, Colleague, Supervised his contract, hsoldi@gmail.com
- Laura Rodriguez, Program Officer, Former Colleague and Funder, lrodriguez@buildersvision.com
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Portuguese
Limited
French
Professional
Italian
Professional
Timeline
Associate Vice President, Latin America, EDF Oceans
Environmental Defense Fund
02.2021 - 01.2024
Director, South America, EDF Oceans
Environmental Defense Fund
11.2016 - 02.2021
Independent Environment and Sustainability Consultant
03.2012 - 10.2016
Conservation and Fisheries Project Coordinator, EDF
Environmental Defense Fund
02.2010 - 03.2012
Executive Director, Punta de Mita Foundation
Punta de Mita Foundation
02.2008 - 02.2010
Manager CSR, Econergy International
Econergy International
06.2006 - 01.2008
Master of Arts - International Development and Environmental Policy -
Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies, Political Science -
Middlebury College, Magna Cum Laude
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