Staff

Jeff Ardron
Conservation Oceanographer, Director High Seas Program (Washington DC) - Mr. Ardron directs MCBI’s high seas program. He holds a M.Sc. in Environment and Management, from Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada. He has worked in the fishing sector, NGO sector, in federal government, and within international conventions. Previous to joining MCBI, he was a senior scientific advisor on marine protected areas (MPAs) for the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. He is a specialist in marine spatial planning, has developed several spatial analysis techniques, and has consulted to UN bodies, NGOs, IGOs, and government. Until his recent move back to North America, he was active within OSPAR (Oslo-Paris regional seas convention of the NE Atlantic) leading several aspects of MPA network assessment, and served as Secretary to its Intersessional Correspondence Group on Marine Protected Areas. He co-led the Convention on Biological Diversity’s development of MPA network criteria for the open ocean and deep seas, which were adopted at ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in May this year. A central theme throughout his work is the bridging of marine science with policy. Email

Keiko Bonk
Hawaii Programs Director (Honolulu HI) - Ms. Bonk has spent her life, as an artist, teacher, musician/singer, grassroots activist, and an elected official, working for environmental preservation, social justice, and a more mindful society. She earned a BFA from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and a MFA from Hunter College in NYC. As a young girl Keiko worked in local environmental movements such as Save Our Surf, and alongside her archeologist father mapping and preserving Hawaii’s archeological treasures. She volunteers her time and talents, working on community art, music, television and housing projects. As an elected official she passed innovative tax legislation to protect Hawaii’s native forests, while fighting for a more open democratic process, campaign finance reform, sustainable development and funding to preserve Hawaii’s ecological diversity. Most recently she organized and directed a grassroots campaign known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Network, which played a key role in the establishment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Email

Sandra Brooke
Coral Conservation Director (Bellevue WA) – Dr. Brooke earned a B.Sc in Biological Sciences and an M.Sc in Bio-aeronautics in England then spent a few years working in mosquito control in the Cayman Islands, where she learned to dive and discovered marine ecosystems. Sandra then worked in Honduras on mosquito control, before moving to the Virginia Institute of Marine Biology, where she obtained an M.A in Marine Biology. Her Ph.D was a joint venture between the University of Southampton in England and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Florida and her dissertation research focused on the reproductive ecology of a deepwater coral Oculina varicosa. Sandra then worked at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology where she was involved in several deepwater coral projects including a survey of deepwater coral ecosystems of the Aleutian Islands, reproductive ecology of Lophelia pertusa from Norwegian Fjords, and habitat characterization of deepwater coral habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits. Before coming to MCBI she worked as project manager of the Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project. Email

Kassandra Cerveny
Congressional Relations Manager (Washington DC)- Kassandra, or “Kc” as she is called, most recently was a Sea Grant Fellow in the office of Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. She received her Masters of Marine Science with an emphasis in biological oceanography from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. Her major research focused on the distribution patterns of reef fishes in southwest Puerto Rico, relative to structural habitat, cross-shelf location, and ontogenetic stage. She concurrently earned a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Florida. Kc also worked with the National Park Service at Buck Island Reef National Monument, USGS in the Everglades National Park, and the Fish and Wildlife Service on marine management issues. Prior to graduate school, Ms. Cerveny was an environmental scientist in the submerged lands program of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection . She earned a BS in Environmental Science with a concentration in ecosystems from the University of Florida. Email

William Chandler
Vice President for Government Affairs (Washington DC) - Mr. Chandler directs MCBI's DC office and policy program. Prior to joining MCBI, he managed the Department of Conservation Policy of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a nonprofit citizens' organization that protects America's National Park System. Before that, Bill was president of his own natural resources policy consulting firm, which conducted research and program evaluations for nonprofit and private clients, including the National Marine Fisheries Service. He founded and published "Land Letter," a newsletter for conservation professionals, and served as research director or editor for five editions of the National Audubon Society's Wildlife Report. Bill also has worked as a legislative assistant for members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, was the legislative representative for The Nature Conservancy, and served as a regional study director for the National Commission on Water Quality, which evaluated the effectiveness of the Clean Water Act. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University, and a Masters in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Email

Emily Douce
Policy Analyst (Washington DC) – Ms. Douce graduated from Texas A&M University in Galveston, Texas with a B.S. in Marine Biology. Currently, she is a full-time student at George Washington University pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental and Resource Policy. Upon completion of her studies in Texas, Emily taught high school chemistry and environmental science for two years in a challenging, yet rewarding atmosphere. Since her arrival to Washington D.C., Emily has interned for a member of Congress as well as an environmental nonprofit dealing with issues concerned with the implementation and compliance of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Email

Jennifer Felt
Program Manager (Washington DC)- Ms. Felt received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Vermont (UVM). While at UVM she worked with the local government on a sea turtle conservation program located on the pacific coast of Mexico. Ms. Felt joined the Peace Corps and spent the next two years as a volunteer in Honduras. In 2002, Ms. Felt began working for Humane Society International (HSI) as program manager for Latin America and the Caribbean where Jennifer developed and managed a program in Central American and the Dominican Republic to stop the illegal trade in wildlife and improve compliance to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Most recently, Jennifer lived in Costa Rica and worked as the Regional Director for Humane Society International’s Latin America office overseeing several programs including: stopping the illegal trade in wildlife, representing HSI in the Costa Rican whale coalition, shark-finning, and environmentally friendly cacao production. Email

Caryl García
Vice President for Operations (Bellevue WA) - Ms. García has more than 23 years of experience in non-profit management and economic development. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the United States Association for UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and prior to that Managing Director for the Leadership Development division at Winrock International, a non-governmental organization specializing in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. Ms. García has served on the boards of directors of numerous non-profit organizations, and is a program committee member for the Committee on the Advancement of Women for InterAction. Ms. Garcia holds a Master’s of Science in Foreign Service (with concentrations in economic development and international relations) from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Email

Hannah Gillelan Goldstein
Senior Policy Analyst (Washington DC) - Hannah has worked for MCBI in several capacities since 2001. She received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2000 and then served as a legal intern at the Council on Environmental Quality during President Clinton's final months in office. Hannah has run her own legal practice doing estate law and been Associate Attorney for a small firm in Washington DC doing everything from lobbying to Commercial Law. During school, she interned or worked with National Marine Fisheries Service in Hawaii and the National Wildlife Federation on sea turtle conservation and litigation, the State of Hawaii Attorney General doing environmental compliance work, Environmental Research Foundation as a research assistant on issues of toxics and human health, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service doing a relocation study on the endangered Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle. Since adopting her first child from Ethiopia, Hannah has been juggling motherhood with continued work for MCBI, and has found the opportunity to keep her hand in current and cutting-edge work at MCBI a rewarding one. Hannah received her BA from St. John's College and did coursework in Israel with the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. Email

John Guinotte
Marine Biogeographer (Bellevue WA) - Dr. Guinotte received his Ph.D. from James Cook University (Townsville, Australia). His Ph.D. work focused on predicting coral reef habitat in the Coral and Timor Seas, climate change related threats to coral ecosystems, and modeling marine environmental gradients in the waters of New Guinea. Prior to joining MCBI, John worked for the University of Kansas (Kansas Geological Survey) on the NSF-funded "Biogeoinformatics of the Hexacorallia" project, where he was responsible for GIS modeling and database support. John spent two years as a postgraduate researcher at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) investigating the effects of climate change on the corals of the Great Barrier Reef. He has been a consultant for The Nature Conservancy, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and was a graduate student intern at the USGS EROS Data Center. Email

Katie Holmes
Assistant to the President (Bellevue WA) - Ms. Holmes graduated from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia with a Bachelor of Science degree in both marine biology and ecology and an Honours degree in marine physiology. Katie's particular interest in deep-sea biology was the focus of her Honours research which investigated the lateral line systems of deep-sea anglerfish. Upon graduation, Katie returned to her native Seattle, WA where she worked as a research assistant at NOAA in the National Marine Mammal Lab and at the University of Washington Fish Hatchery. Katie enjoys being an auntie, traveling worldwide, volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium and looks forward to returning to Australia in the future. Email

Joan Inge
Accountant (Bellevue WA) - Ms. Inge received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Thiel College in Greenville PA. She spent a semester in Liberia, West Africa, as an international student. As an undergraduate, Joan focused on the field of nonprofit accounting as her career choice. Upon graduation, Joan worked for Greenpeace, combining accounting and direct actions for the environment. Subsequently she worked for several non-profits, including NIRS (Nuclear Information and Resource Service) and two Seattle-based organizations serving the homeless. In joining MCBI, Joan has returned to her environmental roots and her interest in protecting our oceans. She enjoys her weekends spent hiking along Pacific Northwest beaches with her husband and dogs. Email

Jessica Levy
Ocean Conservation Science Intern (Glen Ellen, CA) - Jess hails from Chapel Hill, NC where she grew up and attended the University of NC at Wilmington for her undergraduate studies. During her time at UNCW Ms. Levy was fortunate enough to have several opportunities to study abroad; the first of which was at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, followed by a semester long coral reef ecology program taking place in Curacao, Dutch Caribbean. She graduated this past May with a BS in Marine Biology and wants to broaden her knowledge in the field of conservation and marine biology before heading into graduate school. Ms. Levy is working as an Ocean Conservation Science Intern and is focused on two projects: creating a cold-water coral catalog as well as helping to examine the potential impacts of climate change on Marine Protected Areas in US waters. Email

Tse Yang Lim
High Seas Intern (Washington DC) – Tse Yang is currently pursuing a B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Yale University. He has a passion for coral reefs and fish behavior, and sees marine conservation as a necessary means of protecting them. Hoping to bridge science and policy work, he joined MCBI for a summer, where he will be researching monitoring, surveillance & enforcement options for remote marine protected areas for the High Seas program. Tse Yang hails from Singapore, home of some of the world's most degraded reefs and coastlines. He was briefly infatuated with the oceans when he was 10, and re-kindled his love for them a decade later in 2006. He then got seriously involved with them, doing research diving for several months, and maintains a long-distance relationship with the reefs of the Indo-Pacific. In his spare time, Tse Yang also does technical theater, freestyle dueling, role playing games, and daydreams about gorgeous far-off tropical island paradises. Email

Scott McConnell
Economic Consultant Intern (Washington DC) – Mr. McConnell graduated from Portland State University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Community Development. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Economics at the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he is a graduate teaching assistant for William K. Black, Professor of Economics and Law as well as the expert witness during the S&L Crises. In 2008, Mr. McConnell received the opportunity to study at UMKC under Professors L. Randall Wray and Matthew Forstater. One of the projects central to the work being done at UMKC is the Center for Full Employment and Price Stability, which is working on a ‘Green Jobs’ initiative that would provide a job guarantee in an environmentally sustainable economy. Mr. McConnell believes the job guarantee program is compatible with his current work on Marine Spatial Management with MCBI. Developing an ecosystem-based marine economy is a key to long-term health and well-being. Mr. McConnell is currently conducting an economic analysis of aspects of the Marine Spatial Planning program and is enjoying his time as a weekend tourist in Washington D.C. Email

Lance Morgan
Vice President for Science (Glen Ellen CA) - Dr. Morgan received his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California-Davis, and did postdoctoral research at Bodega Marine Laboratory and NOAA Fisheries before joining MCBI in 2000. His Ph.D. research focused on the population dynamics of the red sea urchin and its fishery in Northern California, and his post-doctoral research examined designing networks of marine protected areas to manage fisheries. From 1991-1995 he worked at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA as Science Director and Marine Mammalogist. He holds a Masters Degree from San Francisco St. University in Marine Science and studied seal and sea lion behavior and evolution. Since joining MCBI Lance has led the effort to identify priority conservation areas from Baja California to the Bering Sea for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, and authored the influential Shifting Gears study which focused on collateral damage from commercial fishing. More recently he authored the first assessment of deep sea corals in US waters, and has published a number of papers on this topic. He has field experience from a wide diversity of sites in North America and conducted research on a number of marine species. He is currently the Conservation Chair of the Cordell Bank Sanctuary Advisory Council. Email

Sarah Myhre
Ocean Science Intern (Bellevue WA) – Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Western Washington University (WWU). While a student at WWU, Sarah attended classes and conducted research on the tropical reef ecology of the Caribbean Sea. Upon graduating, she spent two years working for NOAA’s Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) in Honolulu, HI as a coral reef ecologist and scientific diver. While working for CRED, she studied and dove in some of the most remote and pristine reef ecosystems of the world. Sarah is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of California at Davis where she studies climate change, marine ecosystems and oceanography. She is also a fellow within NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program, where she focuses on how social, economic and political institutions interface with the problems of a rapidly changing climate. Sarah is broadly interested in how marine ecosystems respond to climate forcing and what the implications are for conservation and policy. Email

Elliott Norse
President (Bellevue WA) – Dr. Norse has worked at the conservation science-policy interface for his entire career. After earning his B.S. in Biology from Brooklyn College, he studied the ecology of blue crabs in the Caribbean for his Ph.D. at University of Southern California and his Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Iowa. Starting in 1978 he worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency, President’s Council on Environmental Quality (where he defined biological diversity as conservation’s overarching goal), Ecological Society of America, Wilderness Society and Ocean Conservancy before founding MCBI in 1996. Elliott’s 140+ publications include 4 books: Conserving Biological Diversity in Our National Forests (1986), Ancient Forests of the Pacific Northwest (1990), Global Marine Biological Diversity: A Strategy for Building Conservation into Decision Making (1993) and Marine Conservation Biology: The Science of Maintaining the Sea’s Biodiversity (2005). He is a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation and Adjunct Professor of Marine Conservation Science and Policy at Duke University Marine Laboratory, served as President of the Society for Conservation Biology’s Marine Section, received the Nancy Foster Award for Habitat Conservation from the National Marine Fisheries Service and Brooklyn College named him its 2008 Distinguished Alumnus. Email

Elizabeth Purvis
Director of Development (Bellevue WA) - Elizabeth received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Science Research from Hood College in Frederick MD. She holds a Masters Degree from the University of Arizona during which time she focused on human reproductive technologies. Elizabeth has fundraised for two Seattle-area non-profits over the last decade and is a board member of the Washington chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Additionally, she has been a certified fundraising executive (CFRE) since 2004. Email

Elizabeth Rauer
Conservation Scientist (Bellevue WA) - Ms. Rauer graduated from Brown University with a B.S. in Marine Biology, participated in the Duke University’s Beaufort to Bermuda marine science and policy semester, and recently received her Master of Marine Affairs and Policy degree from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami. Her masters thesis examined sea lion predation on salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. She has also conducted research on red tides and interned in the Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium’s Right Bite sustainable seafood program, the Midwest adaptation of Seafood Watch. Liz is an accomplished artist and photographer whose photographs and paintings have been featured in numerous gallery showings and publications. Email

Larissa Sano
Senior Scientist (Glen Ellen CA) – Dr. Sano received her Ph.D. in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan. For her doctoral work, she developed a risk tradeoff framework to evaluate options for reducing the release of nonindigenous species into the Great Lakes. Before joining MCBI, she was the Associate Director of the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research at the University of Michigan, where she focused on effects of nutrients and contaminants on freshwater ecosystems. Her postdoctoral training used ecological models to assess impacts of low oxygen in Lake Erie. Dr. Sano also has extensive experience in marine systems. She did her master’s work at Oregon State University, where she evaluated the application of scientific information to marine resource management, including the use of ecological information for placement of marine protected areas. In addition, she has spent considerable time studying tidal and sub-tidal communities of the West Coast of the USA and Chile, including helping with a biogeographic assessment of Pacific intertidal communities. Email

Lan Tran
Accounting Assistant (Bellevue WA) - Lan Tran received her AAS Degree with honors, in Accounting from South Seattle Community College, and is a welcome addition to the Accounting Department, where she provides much needed support. She came to this country from Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam in 2001, where she worked for more than six years as an Accountant for Procter and Gamble. At that time, Lan received extensive formal training in Principals of Accounting. Currently Lan serves as the Bookkeeper for Total Living Concepts, a private non-profit organization that provides services to adults with developmental disabilities, in addition to her work as the Accounting Assistant for MCBI. Lan was born very near the sea, and has always loved the ocean and nature. In joining MCBI Lan is able to express her love for the oceans and is pleased to help support MCBI’s effort to ensure permanent protection of the seas. In her free time, Lan enjoys travelling with her husband and daughter. She plans to one day travel to Norway, to visit relatives and friends and to see the Arctic Sea in person. Email

Fan Tsao
Conservation Scientist (Bellevue WA) - Fan has experience researching marine conservation issues of various scales. In San Juan County WA she studied grassroots environmental education programs for her master’s thesis, and in the Northwest Straits she examined how state agencies and marine resources committees perceived marine protected areas. At the national level, she co-authored the first status assessment of deep-sea corals in the US, and she also participated in an international collaboration to identify priority conservation areas from Baja California to the Bering Sea. Fan serves on the advisory council of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, representing conservation interests. She has a master’s degree in marine affairs from the University of Washington, where she also earned a certificate in project management. Email

Philippe Cousteau
Philippe Cousteau is the CEO of EarthEcho International, a non-profit organization he co-founded with his sister Alexandra in memory of their father. Philippe is the Chief Ocean Correspondent for Animal Planet and is currently a host for “Oceans,” a Discovery Channel/BBC co-production premiering in the fall of 2008. He has been featured in television and radio programs across the country; has authored articles for numerous publications; and was, along with his sister, guest editor of the November 2007 issue of Women’s Health, the first magazine to ever feature a “Blue Issue.” Philippe serves on the Board of Directors of The Ocean Conservancy, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, and the National Environmental Education Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board of Discovery Communications Planet Green and Oceana's Ocean Council. He is also a member of the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Initiative Council. Philippe is co-founder of Azure Worldwide a strategic consulting and development company. He holds a Master's degree in history from the University of St. Andrews.

Larry B. Crowder
Dr. Crowder is the Stephen Toth Professor of Marine Biology and directs the Duke Center for Marine Conservation at Duke University Marine Laboratory. His work on population modeling, food web interactions and fishery bycatch mitigation has earned him a title as one of today's top conservation biologists. He currently serves on the Ocean Studies Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences and on the scientific steering committees for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Global Oceanic Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) Program. He is a member of the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialists Group and head of bycatch subgroup. His vision and insights into the current trends and future of marine conservation biology help to guide MCBI.

Sylvia A. Earle
Dr. Earle, Explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, is the world's most famous marine biologist and undersea explorer. She is the author of more than 125 scientific and popular publications, including a 1995 book Sea Change, has led more than 50 expeditions totaling more than 6,000 hours underwater, and holds the world depth record for solo diving. Born in New Jersey, she received her bachelor's from Florida State University, and her master's and doctorate degrees from Duke University. She served as the Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990-1992, has been awarded 12 honorary doctorates, and was named by Time magazine as its first "hero for the planet" in 1998.

James C. Greenwood
Mr. Greenwood is President of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in Washington DC. He represented Pennsylvania's Eighth District in the US House of Representatives from 1993 through 2005. Before his election to Congress, Mr. Greenwood earned a B.A. in Sociology from Dickinson College and served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Senate. In 2000, he co-founded the bipartisan House Oceans Caucus to encourage efforts to explore and protect the oceans. He introduced the Deep Sea Coral Protection Act to protect vulnerable seafloor ecosystems against bottom trawling, and the OCEANS 21 Act to strengthen ocean and research and management in keeping with recommendations from the US Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation awarded Congressman Greenwood the 2004 Leadership Award in recognition of his work to conserve and explore the oceans.

Kay Grinnell
Kay Grinnell retired in 2003 after a 20 year career (11 years as a Partner) with Deloitte Consulting. During this time she worked with single and multi-hospital systems, academic physician groups, health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia. With a focus on strategy and operations, Ms. Grinnell led projects to assist clients with general and clinical operations efficiency, market strategy, turnarounds, contracting, medical management and pharmacy. Prior to her work with Deloitte she held a position with The Boeing Company where she was involved in decision support systems. Ms. Grinnell is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, where she teaches Analytic Techniques for the Executive Masters Program. She is also an independent consultant, working with organizations such as the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV to improve their decision making processes. A proponent of education as a key to the future of our environment, Ms. Grinnell contributes time to Audubon and the Coastal Discovery Museum, where she leads school field trips in the marshes and on the beach. She holds a Bachelors in Biology from Penn State University, and a MBA and Masters in Decision Sciences from Georgia State University.

David Johns (Treasurer)
Mr. Johns is Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Portland State University, Portland OR. He specializes in place-based ecosystem conservation on a continental scale and in assuring the accountability and financial health of small nonprofits. In addition to teaching law and political science, he serves as Treasurer of the Society for Conservation Biology, co-founded and remains a Board Member of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative and co-founded and was the first executive director of The Wildlands Project. David has published and spoken widely on the relationship of politics, science and advocacy, and brings MCBI crucial insights on ecosystem-based management and nonprofit management. David received the 2007 Denver Zoological Foundation Conservation Award for his contributions to large-scale conservation efforts and his writing.

G. Robert Kerr (Chair)
Mr. Kerr is President of Bob Kerr & Associates. He was the founding Director of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Bob received his education at George Washington University and Georgia State University. Prior to joining state government, he served as the Executive Director of the Georgia Conservancy. He served as President and CEO of the Southern Appalachian Man and Biosphere Program and former Policy Committee Chairman of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative, and is currently a member of the Georgia Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and a National Council member and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Bob's expertise in ecosystem-based management of watersheds and in conflict mediation and facilitation reinforce and complement the talents of MCBI's other Board Members.

Elliott A. Norse
See staff above

Eric Rosencrantz
Eric Rosencrantz is a senior member of Microsoft’s IP acquisitions and investments group. In this role, he shares responsibility for sourcing, structuring, and negotiating Microsoft's IP acquisitions, strategic investments, and joint ventures. His team has led over $1 billion of transactions spanning all of Microsoft's business groups. Prior to Microsoft, Eric was an early employee at Aquantive serving as director of business development and strategy. During his tenure at Aquantive, he worked on their IPO and closed several acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Aquantive was recently purchased by Microsoft for $6 billion. Prior to Aquantive, Eric worked as a technology equity research analyst at Goldman Sachs. Eric started his career working with startups in the technology incubator program for the Israeli government. Eric is very active in the non-profit world in the areas of education and environmental sustainability.