New deputy director joins Alaska Sea Grant

Alaska Sea Grant welcomes Brooke Carney as deputy director. Based out of the program’s Anchorage office, this new position adds leadership capacity and expertise to expand diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility across the program.

Carney specializes in using inclusive and innovative methods to manage public programs and conduct coastal science and community engagement. She also has expertise in science communication and facilitation methods.

“Carney is a highly skilled science program administrator with over 15 years of leadership experience at local and national levels,” said Alaska Grant director Ginny Eckert. “She brings experience administering grant-based programs, coordinating partner-based initiatives, and leading scientific programs. We are thrilled that she will join us to better serve coastal communities in Alaska.”

Carney holds master’s degrees in biology from University of Alaska Anchorage and public administration from Georgia Southern University. She has spent her career connecting people to science and nature through placed-based organizations at local, state, and national levels of government, as well as through community-based organizations.

Most recently, Carney served as the acting associate director for engagement with NOAA’s National Sea Grant Office. In this role, she oversaw national communications, outreach and publications, while also leading Sea Grant’s national diversity, equity and inclusion program. Prior to working for NOAA, Carney held coordination positions with the National Park Service in Alaska and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Florida. She also served as the director of a Keep America Beautiful affiliate.

Carney’s responsibilities with Alaska Sea Grant include working as part of the program’s management team to administer funds provided to the program by NOAA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, seeking new partnerships and funding, and supervising the communications team.

“Alaska Sea Grant’s work is authentic and inspiring,” said Carney. “I’m thrilled to be joining a team of such incredible professionals and look forward to working with Sea Grant and our partners to further support Alaska’s coastal communities.”