Heather Sagar joined the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean in December as its tribal coordinator. Sagar brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships, tribal consultation, interagency coordination, and ecosystem-based management, most recently serving as a senior policy advisor and tribal liaison at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service. During her tenure, she led national policy initiatives and developed NOAA’s first Consultation Handbook and Indigenous Knowledge guidance.
Sagar is widely recognized for building strong relationships, communicating complex scientific and legal information with clarity, and advancing collaborative solutions across government, Tribal Nations, and regional partners. In her new role with MARCO, Sagar will:
- Facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration with Tribal Nations across the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Support the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Planning (ROP) Tribal Caucus, including meeting coordination, agenda development, and timely follow-up.
- Serve as a liaison between MARCO and Tribal representatives, ensuring meaningful engagement in regional ocean and coastal initiatives.
- Support Tribal engagement in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal and help identify opportunities for culturally appropriate and collaborative data integration.
- Contribute to Tribal representation and participation in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Resilience Initiative.
MARCO is excited to welcome Sagar to the team and looks forward to the leadership, partnership-building, and deep expertise she brings to this important role. She may be reached at hsagar@midatlanticocean.org.