Eva Didonato

About Eva Didonato

The first time I dove on the reefs at our National Park of American Samoa, I remember being surrounded by color, motion, and yes, the occasional curious shark. But what stayed with me wasn’t just the coral or the thrill of the dive. It was a little girl who used to wave when she saw me, pointing at the dolphin tattoo on my ankle and calling out “Mumu’a!” — the Samoan word for dolphin. Her excitement reminded me why I do this work: because connection — between people and nature, between science and action — is what truly drives resilience.These connections have motivated me to lead with collaboration and purpose. My approach blends scientific fluency, policy expertise, and inclusive leadership to guide organizations through complexity, align diverse interests, and deliver results that protect biodiversity while supporting communities.My career includes senior leadership in the National Park Service (NPS), interagency governance, and conservation in island and coastal communities. I am recognized for mentoring interdisciplinary teams, forging lasting partnerships, and securing investments that sustain biodiversity and resilience.Career Highlights: Impact Funding & Policy Influence: Secured $30M+ in restoration funding through interagency negotiations and litigation strategy, advancing Gulf Coast recovery. National Collaboration: Founded Coastal and Ocean Advisory & Support Team (COAST), first national network uniting 88 coastal and Great Lakes parks to accelerate resilience initiatives. Equity & Global Engagement: Contributed to White House Ocean Justice Strategy (2023) and delivered international briefings on ocean management to delegations from Jordan, Argentina, and the Philippines. Science-to-Policy Integration: Partnered with NOAA, USGS, and USFWS to implement shoreline restoration, ocean acidification monitoring, and marine debris programs. Inclusive Leadership: Built and mentored a 13-member interdisciplinary team, embedding performance metrics, growth, and cross-functional collaboration. Advisory & Governance Leadership: Served on DOI Senior Ocean Policy Team, Interagency Marine Debris Committee, and Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (IWG-OA), shaping federal coastal policy.Whether under the water, in a meeting room, or working across agencies, I’m driven by the same goal I felt in that moment in American Samoa — to build a future where people and nature thrive together.If your organization is advancing bold, collaborative work in conservation, resilience, or community-driven climate action, let’s connect.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Maryland Coastal Bays Program

   Mar 2026 — Present · Berlin, MD, US

Education

• University of West Florida

  Master of Science - MS

• University of Wisconsin-Superior

  Bachelor of Science - BS