Southeast & Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership Welcomes New Executive Director 

Heather P. McCarthy joins the Southeast & Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) as their new Executive Director. Heather brings more than two decades of experience in coastal zone management, environmental writing and education, and marine and estuarine research to SCDRP.  

“Like the members of SCDRP, I am passionate about science for a better world. It is truly an honor to interact with such motivated, forward-thinking professionals and contribute to the vital mission of this Partnership. Together, we will share our expertise and experiences to further advance regional resilience, nature-based solutions, and equitable decision-making in order to better prepare our communities for the mounting challenges that we face in our collective future.” 

Heather P. McCarthy, SCDRP Executive Director

Heather specializes in environmental communication – including scientific writing, facilitating meetings, public speaking, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders. Heather earned her Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment in 1998 specializing in Coastal Environmental Management. 

Heather will lead SCDRP while continuing to pursue research opportunities and teach as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Jacksonville University. She currently lives full-time onboard her sailboat with her family in Jacksonville, Florida, and sails seasonally throughout the region. She hopes to use her unique, mobile lifestyle to facilitate the expansion and solidification of the Partnership throughout the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean. 

During the next few months, Heather will be working with the SCDRP’s Program Coordinator, Josephine Jeni Justin, to organize the SCDRP 2023 Annual Meeting to be held on January 24-25, 2023 in Miami, Florida. 

Visit SCDRP’s website for additional details about engaging with the Partnership and joining their Annual Meeting.