Lihla is the Capacity and Learning Lead for Blue Nature Alliance. She focuses on scaling durable MPA support systems and investing in regional and global partnerships, innovative approaches, and knowledge resources. Spanning over 20 years serving conservation capacity building, partnership development, and philanthropy roles in Micronesia, Caribbean, and Hawai’i, Lihla’s most recent positions include leading a conservation leadership partnership of over 25 organizations across the Hawaiian Archipelago and leveraging partnerships and philanthropy to benefit the Native Hawaiian community. Lihla earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Central Florida and an M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University-Mankato. In addition, she has completed several postgraduate courses in Marine Resource Management at James Cook University. After island hopping for over 20 years, Lihla has been firmly planted in Hawai’i for 13 years. Happiest in the ocean, she spends most of her time Ubering her Irish twin boys to soccer and showing them that the “world is their oyster.”