Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Marine Biologist & Policy Expert

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist and policy expert researching actionable solutions to the climate crisis.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist and policy expert. She is the founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on finding sustainability solutions for coastal cities. She is also the founder and CEO of Ocean Collectiv, a strategic conservation consulting firm. Her work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, among others.

Ayana was previously the executive director of the Waitt Institute, a nonprofit that empowers communities to protect their oceans. She has also developed policy for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency and was a leader of the national March for Science.

As an Emerson Collective Fellow, Ayana will write a book — to be published by Penguin Random House’s One World imprint in 2021 — exploring climate solutions at the intersection of science, policy, justice, and culture.