Maria Damanaki

Maria Damanaki serves as a Principal Advisor to the Paradise Foundation (China), SYSTEMIQ (London) and Rockefeller Brothers Foundation (USA). She sits on the Boards of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Oceanographic Institute (Monaco), Marine Regions Forum (Berlin), Marine Stewardship Council -MSC, Friends of Ocean Action Group -World Economic Forum.

She served for five years as the Global Managing Director for Oceans at The NatureConservancy USA. She also served as the European Union Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Under her leadership, the Commission introduced a new Common Fisheries Policy that brought fish populations back to healthier levels—from as few as five sustainable stocks in 2010 to up more than 30 today. She also served as a Greek politician for many years. She was the first woman leader of a Greek political party. Author of four books on Gender and Human Rights issues, Education and European Policy.