Chad Nelsen

About Chad Nelsen

I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Surfrider Foundation and lead the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, through approaches that integrate coastal recreation with conservation. We are dynamic and committed team that defends the coast against damaging projects, promotes ongoing coastal stewardship programs, advances protective ocean and coastal policies at all levels of government, while cultivating and developing community activists and leaders. I also helped to establish the field of “Surfonomics,” which applies natural resource economic approaches to value surfing.

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer

   The Surfrider Foundation

   Sep 2014 — Present · San Clemente, CA, US

   Chad is the Chief Executive Officer for the Surfrider Foundation and leads the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to healthy a ocean, waves and beaches through approaches that integrate coastal recreation with conservation.

Education

• Brown University

  Bachelors of Science, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

  1988 — 1992

• UCLA

  D.Env, Environmental Science and Engineering

  2005 — 2012

• Duke University

  MEM, Coastal Management

  1994 — 1996

Skills

• Sustainability
• Grant Writing
• Coastal Management
• Policy
• Marine Conservation
• Environmental Advocacy
• Science
• Marine Biology
• Renewable Energy
• Coastal Processes
• Research
• Nonprofits
• Grants
• Conservation Issues
• Policy Analysis
• Natural Resource Economics
• Community Outreach
• Environmental Issues
• Surfing
• Sustainable Development
• Social Media
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Education
• Public Policy
• Public Speaking
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Policy
• Coastal
• Non-Profits