Heather Stirratt

Heather Stirratt joined The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota in 2026 as Director of Water and Agriculture. She brings three decades of leadership in scientific research, coastal and fisheries management, and environmental governance. Her work has shaped the U.S. response to climate change across North America’s most vital ecosystems, notably the Great Lakes. As executive director of the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Regional Office, Heather led a multinational team advancing science and monitoring programs alongside water quality policy—while mentoring emerging leaders and championing user requirements and science application in environmental decision-making.

Heather also served for 15 years as the Great Lakes regional lead for NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, overseeing dispersed teams and delivering science-based solutions to regional stakeholders. Her career includes nationally recognized contributions to fisheries policy, more than 800 hours of at-sea research, and early work in permitting and advocacy with the State of Connecticut, Environmental Defense Fund and Dade County, FL. Heather earned an M.S. in marine affairs and fisheries science from the University of Rhode Island and a B.S. in marine science/biology from the University of Miami.