Introducing Hannah MacDonald

Our newest staff member, Hannah MacDonald

Please extend a warm welcome to our newest staff member, Hannah MacDonald! She joins our team as our Director of Policy & Innovation.

Growing up in the Great Lakes, I learned early that water shapes everything — communities, livelihoods, and the rhythms of life itself. That freshwater foundation carried me across the country, through graduate school, and ultimately to Maine's coast. Like a salmon, I started in freshwater and found my way to the ocean.

My studies started at Michigan State University, where I focused on marine ecosystem management. I spent those summers exploring my interests, from research in the Bahamas to ocean education in Washington and California. I took my first real job at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to build out a virtual reality program and lead live streams of ocean exploration and immersive virtual reality. But it was at the University of Rhode Island, pursuing my Masters of Environmental Science and Management, that I really began to understand the human side of fisheries. Working with fishermen on a voluntary shipwreck avoidance program, I realized fishermen aren't only harvesters but also ocean experts in their own right and the heartbeat of coastal communities.

I then spent four years at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute running their fisheries engagement program, helping fishermen navigate some of the industry's challenges, including electronic monitoring and the complex process of offshore wind development. Each conversation reinforced that the best fisheries work happens when you center the voices and expertise of the people who actually fish.

I care deeply about the ocean and fisheries, but what really drives me is people. I'm a people person who happens to work in fisheries. That distinction matters to me. I don't see my role as managing resources or implementing policies; I see it as building bridges. These bridges connect fishermen with the resources they need. They connect scientists with on-the-water knowledge. And, they connect communities with opportunities to strengthen their futures. It's all about identifying those critical links between people, resources, and the ocean that sustains us all.

MCFA's mission resonates with me because it puts fishermen at the center of it all. For me, this isn't about doing things for fishing communities but rather working with them to sustain vibrant working waterfronts for this and future generations. MCFA’s collaborative, relationship-first approach aligns perfectly with how I work and what I value.

When I'm not at work, you'll find me surfing, running (proudly for Team MCFA, of course), hanging with my cat, or planning my next trip to Nova Scotia, my favorite place to recharge.

I'm excited to bring my background in fisheries engagement and my passion for relationship-building to this work. I still have plenty to learn about Maine's unique fishing communities and the challenges they face, but I'm ready to roll up my sleeves, listen hard, and contribute however I can to MCFA’s mission.