Peggy Kalas

International Ocean Policy Advisor, Oceano Azul Foundation, and former director High Seas Alliance

New York City Metropolitan Area

About

Over 30 years of experience working in the field of international environmental law and ocean policy, and significant managerial experience leading a global Coalition, including as Director of the High Seas Alliance (from 2014-2022), and as United Nations Coordinator for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition from 2005-2012. Strong international environmental law background including a decade in private practice with major law firms in New York City, and Washington, DC, and an LL.M. in International Environmental Law from New York University School of Law, and author of numerous articles on environmental and ocean governance.

Experience

  • International Ocean Policy Advisor at Oceano Azul Foundation
    Jun 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Director at High Seas Alliance
    Jan 2014 - Nov 2022 · 8 yrs 11 mos

    --Manage the overall strategy and campaign or global coalition to improve global ocean governance and policy for the high seas, through a new United Nations international marine biodiversity treaty; --Create strategic partnerships and engagement with governments and NGOs toward fulfilling overall Coalition objectives. Strong skills in Environmental Governance, International Policy and Government Relations, Political Strategy and Communications, Coalition Building, Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning, and Organizational Development. SPECIALTIES: • Organization development and capacity building. Extensive experience in coalition building on conservation and environmental sustainability efforts. • Partnership development and engagement. Skilled at working with constituent groups including boards, donors, high level government officials, and external audiences to build partnerships to conserve ecosystems and natural resources. • Policy development and analysis. Well-versed in leading organizations to develop policy to advance long-term international conservation objectives, including through 20 year treaty process. • Advocacy work and constituency building. Extensive experience in developing political strategy to advance policy issues, particularly as they relate to international ocean conservation and governance. • Financial management and fundraising. Extensive background in developing and overseeing program and organizational budgets, financial management, and all aspects of fundraising from outreach to proposal development and grant reporting. • Strategic planning and implementation. Led strategic planning and implementation processes for international global coalition non-governmental organizations, and skilled at translating mission and goals into operating plans with clear benchmarks and annual objectives. conservation goals of the Alliance’s 50 global members;

  • United Nations Coordinator at Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
    2005 - 2011 · 6 yrs

    Developed, coordinated and implemented Coalition policy at the United Nations on behalf of leading international environmental groups (i.e., Greenpeace, NRDC, Pew Charitable Trusts, Conservation International, Oceana).

  • Environmental Legal Consultant at International Task Group on Legal and Institutional Matters (INTGLIM)
    2001 - 2002 · 1 yr

    • Advised and developed program on international environmental governance matters • Advocacy and monitored developments on behalf of INTGLIM at United Nations Preparatory meetings for World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), including drafting and presenting positions at conferences in Montreal, Cartegena, Colombia, and Johannesburg; engaged in coalition building with other NGOs

  • Environmental Attorney at Environmental Practice Groups of NYC law firms
    1997 - 2001 · 4 yrs

    Practiced environmental law at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, Whitman Breed & Abbott and White & Case.