Joan Eads has been named as the new interim executive director of FishWise following the departure of former CEO Tobias Aguirre in November 2021.
FishWise is a nonprofit sustainable seafood consultancy based in Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A. working to transition businesses and communities in the seafood industry toward more sustainable and ethically responsible practices. The consultancy’s programs have an impact on more than 460 seafood suppliers in 50 countries. It specializes in addressing risks of illegal fishing and human and labor rights abuses in the seafood supply chain. FishWise has partners that include U.S. retailers Albertsons, Target, and Hy-Vee.
Eads has over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including serving as interim executive director for several organizations in the Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. area.
“I am excited to join FishWise to support and accelerate the organization’s unique approach to sustainable seafood,” she said in a press release.
FishWise Board of Directors Chair George Leonard praised Eads’ experience.
“Her proven excellence in operations, finance, and organizational development will help to position the organization to successfully recruit a permanent leader. The board of directors is delighted to welcome Joan to complement the strong leadership team, staff, and organization at FishWise.”
Recently, FishWise updated its Roadmap for the Improving Seafood Ethics (RISE) platform, which included a new social responsibility coaching program to expand its services in social responsibility. The nonprofit also continues to run the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT) to connect traceability organizations for collaboration of collected knowledge. With the consultancy’s Traceability Principles, governments and companies are assisted in building an electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) program to help implement ecological, social, and economic goals.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Joan aboard. Her breadth of experience in non-profit leadership will be invaluable in providing continuity and positioning FishWise for an exciting new chapter at the organization,” FishWise Business Engagement Division Director Ashley Greenley said. “Joan’s skillset is a great addition to the technical expertise we have on hand. She's exactly the type of leader you want at the helm during a transition.”
The FishWise board of directors said it anticipates launching a search for a permanent executive director in coming months.
Photo courtesy of FishWise
