Karen Sack

Karen Sack is the co‑founder, President, and Executive Director of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), where she leads a global coalition dedicated to driving investment into coastal resilience and tackling the ocean‑related risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Her work sits at the intersection of science, policy, finance, and community action—advancing ORRAA’s mission to build a regenerative, sustainable ocean economy that supports nature, people, and livelihoods.

A lifelong advocate for the ocean, Karen has spent her career championing ocean conservation and climate policy on the world stage. She previously served as CEO of Ocean Unite and held senior leadership roles at The Pew Charitable Trusts and Greenpeace International, where she led major global campaigns. She has spearheaded efforts to establish the high seas biodiversity treaty, advance the global 30×30 conservation target, establish some of the largest marine sanctuaries on Earth including in Antarctica’s Ross Sea, reform the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, end illegal fishing and destructive practices like high seas bottom trawling, and protect vulnerable marine species. She also initiated the Global Ocean Commission.

Karen holds master’s degrees in international environmental law and international political economy. Originally from South Africa and now based in the United States, she was a Rockefeller Bellagio Resident Fellow in 2024. She serves on advisory committees for several ocean‑focused investment funds, sits on the board of the Oceano Azul Foundation, and is the Board Chair of Ocean Energy Pathway.