Nina Paige Hadley

Master in Marine Affairs (MMA), University of Washington
B.S. Marine Science, University of South Carolina Honors College and University of Hawaii

Nina is the Senior Director of Re:wild’s Guardians program. Leading the creation and execution of the Re:wild’s strategy to achieve its vision to ensure that every person in a position to protect Earth’s biodiversity has agency to do so.

She leverages the significant global network, science expertise, and intellectual capital of Re:wild with strategic partnerships to deliver innovative human-centered solutions. With her contagious optimism and energy, a focus of her work is advancing conservation leadership and supporting an inclusive global movement of emboldened conservationists who have the competence, confidence, and tools they want and need. She believes that every person has the capacity to develop into their best self and that every leader is a catalyst for positive change in others.

Nina started her career on Midway Atoll in the Pacific, researching public-private co-management models and sustainable finance mechanisms for marine protected areas and drafting the National Wildlife Refuge’s first tourism strategy plan.

Nina is the former deputy managing director, Global Lands, for the Nature Conservancy (TNC). During her 13-year career at TNC, she also managed global programs across Indigenous Peoples and Oceans initiatives, as well as led the organization’s Asia-Pacific conservation leadership network and co-founded the Conservation Partnership Center. She helped pilot TNC’s conservation audit program in Komodo National Park in Indonesia and facilitated TNC’s first population, health and environment (PHE) project in Tanzania to advance an innovative, partnership-driven community co-benefit strategy.

Nina holds a Master’s in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, a BS in marine science from University of South Carolina Honors College, is a member of the Conservation Coaches Network (CCNET) and serves on the board of the Center for Nature & Leadership. She calls the eastern slopes of the North Cascades of Washington State home where she enjoys trail running, rock climbing and supporting the local farm food movement.