Sheila A. McKenna, Ph. D.

Independent Consultant
Member of IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas ~ Marine and High Seas

Dr. McKenna specializes in studying areas of the ocean where little or no data is available to obtain the critical data needed for informed decision making. Her field work assesses the biodiversity and habitat condition, identifies threats, and determines how these threats can be best mitigated. Her career has taken her from Madagascar to New Caledonia with over 3,000 SCUBA dives.  

Sheila balances the findings of her scientific research with the socioeconomic context of the region to identify realistic management and conservation activities. This approach has proven to be instrumental in the successful establishment of over eight new Marine Protected Areas including the designation of a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Sheila was a Senior Research Scientist and Director for the Marine Rapid Assessment Program at Conservation International. She has held research positions with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and the University of Guam Marine Lab. She has edited and published numerous studies and reports in professional journals, books and electronic media for a wide range of audiences from the scientific community to local stakeholders. Sheila earned her Ph. D. from the University of Maryland and her B.S. from Villanova University in the United States.