[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” background_color=”#FFFFFF” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”gcid-d119accd-44d7-4f2f-b9d7-599c8463324b 0%|rgba(255,255,255,0) 25%|rgba(7,33,48,0.6) 76%|gcid-2cfd7ef3-9e87-44ad-91a5-44277819d056 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2030-scaled.jpg” background_position=”top_center” min_height=”550px” height=”80vh” max_height=”1000px” custom_padding=”92px||92px||true|” custom_css_main_element=”display:flex” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-1f1bf5fb-a99d-4acc-8d9e-ddac074c158c%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-4c79ba3d-a281-4fb6-9b14-02f9a4c793f2%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-688c464a-d6f2-4296-b592-395352c71c79%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-d119accd-44d7-4f2f-b9d7-599c8463324b%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22,%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93,%22gcid-2cfd7ef3-9e87-44ad-91a5-44277819d056%22:%91%22background_color_gradient_stops%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”_initial” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”c16985e1-e0d6-4022-964d-e2bfc04fa633″ header_font=”Urbanist|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”75px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|20px|8px|20px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-secondary-color%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Team” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Urbanist||||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-primary-color” title_font_size=”52px” title_line_height=”1.2em” background_image=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Seaweed1Web-1-1024×233.png” background_size=”custom” background_image_width=”11%” background_position=”center_right” title_font_size_tablet=”32px” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”–et_global_heading_font||||||||” header_2_font_size=”42px” custom_margin=”||45px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Staff are valued as science-policy intermediaries with skills that enable them to collaborate within and between disciplines to build relationships across professional divides.\u00a0 They are experts in identifying critical, emerging issues, advancing co-design, and engaging strategically.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Charlotte Hudson” position=”Executive Director” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/charlotte.jpg” module_id=”charlotte” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_free_form=”.profileEmail{|| font-size: 11px;|| margin-top: -14px;|| display: block;||}” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px;” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]chudson@blueconvergence.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Charlotte Hudson is the Executive Director of the Blue Convergence Fund (BCF), an organization committed to supporting communities by providing actionable science to guide sustainable decisions about our oceans and coasts.<\/p>\n Before founding BCF, Charlotte led the Lenfest Ocean Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she spent two decades bridging the gap between science and policy. Her work focused on evolving grantmaking and engagement activities towards more transparent and equitable methods, incorporating concepts of co-design and co-production. Charlotte\u2019s career began with roles at the Ocean Law Project at Earthjustice and Oceana, which enhanced her understanding of how science informs law, policy and practice.<\/p>\n Her publications cover topics such as the role of philanthropy in engaged science, methods to increase use-driven research, and research impact. She co-chairs the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and serves on the Advisory Body of North Carolina\u2019s Office of Sponsored Programs. Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Davidson College and a master’s degree in environmental management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University\n<\/p><\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Sarah Close” position=”Program Director” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sarah-Close-5.jpg” admin_label=”Sarah” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}”]sclose@blueconvergence.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Sarah Close is responsible for identifying new funding priorities and managing grantmaking on Blue Convergence Fund\u2019s Resilient Fisheries portfolio. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of grantmaking, usable science, and marine ecosystem management and conservation, Sarah is a leader in her field.<\/p>\n Previously, Sarah was a Senior Officer for the Lenfest Ocean Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts. There, she managed a grantmaking portfolio focused on changing ocean conditions, supporting work on fisheries and management of protected areas. She also worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, developing expertise in adaptation and resilience, and program management.<\/p>\n Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oregon State University.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Emily Knight” position=”Outreach & Engagement Director” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Knight_headshot-3.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}”]eknight@blueconvergence.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Emily Knight serves as the Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Blue Convergence Fund. In her role, Emily collaborates with staff, scientists, and partners to connect the program’s scientific endeavors with decision makers and communities.<\/p>\n Previously, Emily oversaw outreach and engagement activities for the Lenfest Ocean Program (LOP), a role that involved working with staff, scientists, and other partners to link the science being supported by the program to decision makers across all LOP\u2019s grantmaking portfolios. Prior to LOP, she was the Program Director at the California Ocean Science Trust, where she developed initiatives to help managers address changing ocean conditions, including leading the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team and the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel. Emily also has a background in legislative policy, having served with the U.S. House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Emily holds a master\u2019s degree in Oceanography from the University of Maine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Dominique Kone” position=”Officer” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Kone.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}”]dkone@blueconvergence.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Dom is responsible for developing research priorities and outreach and engagement strategies within our Resilient Fisheries portfolio. Dom brings several years of experience working closely with scientists, policymakers, and coastal communities to provide science that informs ocean and coastal policies in the resilience and adaptation, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions space.<\/p>\n Prior to coming to BCF, Dom worked for the California Ocean Science Trust where he developed and implemented science-to-policy processes in collaboration with state policy partners to advance state priorities and identify actionable strategies for managing and conserving our oceans and coasts. Dom also previously worked as a funder of marine conservation research projects at The Pew Charitable Trusts and as a Wildlife Fellow at the National Wildlife Federation in DC. Dom holds an MS in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University, and a BA in Environmental Studies Science with a concentration in Conservation Biology from Colby College.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Mohammed Alhammami” position=”Grants and Operations Manager ” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Headshot_Mohammed.jpg” admin_label=”Mohammed Alhammami” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}”]sclose@blueconvergence.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Mohammed Alhammami is the Grants and Operations Manager at the Blue Convergence Fund (BCF), where he leads the full lifecycle of outgoing grants and drives efforts to strengthen operational systems, ensure compliance, and support cross-functional coordination in service of BCF\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n Prior to joining BCF, Mohammed was a Senior Program Officer at IREX, where he managed multimillion-dollar education and workforce development programs. He oversaw end-to-end grantmaking processes, built internal systems to track deliverables and improve workflow efficiency, ensured compliance with donor and regulatory requirements, led the development of strategic communications and donor reports, and supported program teams through all stages of implementation.<\/p>\n He holds a Master\u2019s degree in Arab Studies with a concentration in international development from Georgetown University\u2019s School of Foreign Service, and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Government and Public Policy from Franklin & Marshall College<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”personBox” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Jason Landrum” position=”Program Director” image_url=”https:\/\/blueconvergence.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Landrum_BCF_Headshot-opt.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h6″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16px” position_text_color=”#000000″ position_font_size=”16px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_css_after=”content:%22Expand%22;||position:absolute;||height:12px;||width:43px;||z-index:9;||bottom:0;||right:0;||display:block;||visibility:initial;||border:1px solid silver;||color:silver;||line-height:12px;||font-size:12px;||padding:6px;||border-radius:3px;” custom_css_member_image=”float:left;” custom_css_member_description=”display:block;||width:100%;||padding-left:20px;” custom_css_member_position=”margin-bottom:15px” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n