Global Ocean Director
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Minna Epps is the Global Ocean Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN), leading the Union’s global ocean-related work, including programmatic development and delivery of multi-million dollar progammes dedicated to commissioning cutting edge marine scientific research (ocean acidification, deoxygenation and marine heatwaves and how it affects marine biodiversity and ocean health), implementing pioneering nature-based solutions, sustainable blue economy solutions and deploying innovative blended finance mechanisms in partnership with private investors and public funding. Global ocean policy work includes the Head of IUCN Delegations for various Multilateral Environmental Agreements and negotiations, including the recent High Seas BBNJ Treaty negotiation.
Minna champions equitable access and benefit-sharing, strengthens gender inclusion in ocean policy and empowers communities through nature-based solutions. Her expertise in strategic leadership, policy influence, and innovative partnerships makes her a driving force in shaping the future of ocean conservation.
She is the Chair for the Blue Natural Capital funding facility executive committee, the Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund, and Chair of the IMPAC International Steering Committee, as well as serving as a strategic advisor to the Blue Action Fund, and appointed advisor to the impact committee of HSH Prince Albert II ReFundOcean together with Monaco Asset Management. She represents IUCN in several high level Ocean networks, including the High Level Panel on Sustainable Ocean Economy advisory network, and is a WEF Friends of Ocean Action Leader.
She brings her experience from IUCN, Marine Stewardship Council, European Commission, United Nations Environment programme, World Trade organisation, and marine conservation NGOs. Minna is a marine biologist with studies from Imperial College, Rhode Island School of Oceanography and UC Berkeley.