Ms. Susan Gardner has three decades of experience in international environmental policy working for both the Mexican and United States governments. Before joining UNEP, she was a senior official in the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration focused on fisheries and natural resource management. Prior to this position, she was Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation in the U.S. Department of State where Dr. Gardner led efforts on Advancing Women and Girls in Science and established the ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women. Based on her contributions to the Global Mercury Partnership and the Minamata Convention, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Exceptional Services from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Dr. Gardner also worked for the Mexican Federal Government as an environmental scientist at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste where she created the first Ecotoxicology Programme. Her work earned her the distinction of membership in the Mexican Sistema Nacional de Investigadores and board certification as a fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences. Her research generated over 30 publications including a book and book chapters on topics related to natural resource management and sustainable development.
Dr. Gardner is a dual national of Mexico and the United States of America. She has a Doctoral Degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Washington, a Master’s of Science Degree in Toxicology from North Carolina State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from Long Island University. In her current position as UNEP's Ecosystems Division Director, she leads global programmes to support countries to promote nature-based solutions for sustainable development including for food systems transformation, climate resilience, biodiversity protection and disaster risk reduction. Her work on combating ocean pollution included leading the process that achieved a global agreement to negotiate a treaty to end plastic pollution.
Staff Position Level: D2
Region: Latin America & Caribbean
