Linda Bercusson

A seasoned leader with a track record of pioneering conservation initiatives, notably with Pacific Whale Fund. Expert in strategic planning and relationship management, I've spearheaded projects from the Arctic to Antarctica, significantly impacting oceanic preservation. My persuasive communication and project management skills have cultivated groundbreaking partnerships and media engagement, driving forward global conservation efforts.

• Founding the Pacific Islands Ocean Cluster, designed to promote a thriving, sustainable Blue Economy in the Pacific Islands region by improving the economic performance of domestic tuna fishery supply chains through the increased use of fish waste to create value-added products.
• Co-leading the design and implementation of He Whakaputanga Declaration, calling for legal rights to be conferred on whales and the subsequent establishment of the Pacific Whale Fund.
• Managing Whales in a Changing Ocean and playing a significant part in ensuring the success of the Pacific region’s first international conference on the conservation of whales.
• Authoring three books on New Zealand natural history.
• Leading effective national and international media campaigns, including coverage of Conservation International's Oceanscape campaign at the 2012 Pacific Leaders Forum in Rarotonga. My communications team, spread across multiple time zones, countries and languages, generated several hundred stories in 10 days published/broadcast by CNN to the Kiribati weekly news.
• Successfully creating and implementing award-winning engagement campaigns for Auckland's Chinese and Pacific Islands communities.
• Being consistently commended for creating strong partnerships and long-term relationships.