Diana Bermudez
Tucson
Summary
Accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience at The Nature Conservancy, excelling in strategic planning and at managing large, complex projects. Spearheaded initiatives that protected over 65 million hectares in ocean conservation and raised $12 million for conservation. Adept in government relations, partnership building and cross-cultural collaboration.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy State Director
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
01.2025 - Current
- Support, advise and serve as second-in-command to State Director.
- Oversee strategic planning to ensure Chapter is focused on its highest impact work.
- Represent Chapter in internal and external forums.
- Manage and provide direction to the Chapter's Leadership Team.
- Design and implement processes to track progress towards organizational goals, and report progress to leadership and Arizona Board of Trustees.
- Lead key initiatives, including efforts on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Indigenous Right Relations.
Director of Strategy
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
07.2017 - 12.2024
- Developed and implemented Chapter-wide strategic planning processes in 2019 and 2022, which included extensive engagement of over 70 staff and Arizona Board of Trustees.
- Launched the Healthy Cities Program, which focuses on mitigating urban heat in the Phoenix Metro Area. Key projects included the Urban Heat Leadership Academy, an award winning bilingual program to foster grassroots leadership, and the Economic Assessment of Heat in the Phoenix Metro Area.
- Led a cross-functional team to advance the Salt and Verde Alliance, an initiative focused on securing water and long-term sustainable funding for the Salt and Verde Rivers by bringing 14 municipalities, corporations, and foundations together to adopt a common vision for the Salt and Verde watersheds.
Oceans Director
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
10.2013 - 06.2017
- Led TNC's efforts in the Gulf of California and the Mesoamerican Reef (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras).
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives focused on ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, and climate risk and resilience. Key achievements included the protection of over 65 million hectares in new protected areas and launching the first multi-agency marine spatial planning effort in Mexico covering 113,000 hectares.
- Developed a high-performing team of 12 conservation practitioners working in four countries by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Collaborated with national and local governments, conservation organizations, academia, and foundations to advance marine conservation efforts in the region.
- Leveraged internal networks and partnered with global teams and state chapters to harness TNC's experience and acumen.
- Cultivated and stewarded major and principal gift donors raising over $10 million USD for ocean conservation.
- Managed an annual operating budget of $4.5 million USD.
Gulf of California Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
02.2009 - 09.2013
- Oversaw TNC's marine conservation efforts in the Gulf of California.
- Spearheaded the design and implementation of the Baja Marine Initiative, a five-state endeavor to mobilize the political will and large-scale funding to transform ocean management in the Gulf of California.
- In partnership with NOAA, WWF and CONANP (Mexico's Park Agency), designed and launched a regional program to strengthen the capacity of marine protected areas in the Gulf of California.
- Led a cross-functional team to develop and implement marine strategies across the region.
- Established partnerships with local and international NGOs, local, state and federal government, and academia to advance marine conservation objectives effectively.
- Designed and led whale watching trips for donors and trustees, which resulted in over $2 million for ocean conservation.
- Grew program budget from $700,000 to $2.8 million over four fiscal years to support expansion of work.
Yucatan Coastal and Marine Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
08.2004 - 01.2009
- Led TNC's marine work in 11 coastal and marine areas partnering with local NGOs, fishing cooperatives, government and academia.
- Secured funding and technical expertise to implement the first rapid reef assessment in the Mesoamerican Reef.
- Coordinated the monitoring of fish spawning aggregation sites, which ultimately led to their legal protection in Mexico.
- Partnered closely with TNC's Global Marine Team, bringing expertise to the region.
- Designed and led over 20 trips for donors and trustees.
- Managed an operating budget of $500,000 USD.
Project Director
The Enviro Group
08.1995 - 07.2004
- Managed environmental engineering projects in Southeast Europe.
- Brought partners from EU member states in academia, private sector, and government together to develop proposals and implement environmental projects.
- Worked with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, World Bank, USAID, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and others to secure project funding.
- Participated in the negotiations of a $20 million Debt-for-Environment Swap between the U.S. and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Assessment And Evaluation
The London School of Economics And Political Science
London, UK12-2003
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ05-1996
Bachelor of Arts - German
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ05-1995
Skills
- Government Relations
- Partnership Building
- Cross-Cultural Skills and Strengths
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Fundraising
- Project Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Monitoring and Reporting
Certification
- Leadership Expedition Program, Cambridge University - January - September 2019
- Economic Tools for Conservation, Stanford University - August 2008
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Greek
Full Professional
German
Limited Working
Timeline
Deputy State Director
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
01.2025 - Current
Director of Strategy
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
07.2017 - 12.2024
Oceans Director
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
10.2013 - 06.2017
Gulf of California Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
02.2009 - 09.2013
Yucatan Coastal and Marine Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy in Mexico and Central America
08.2004 - 01.2009
Project Director
The Enviro Group
08.1995 - 07.2004
Master of Science - Environmental Assessment And Evaluation
The London School of Economics And Political Science
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
The University of Arizona
Bachelor of Arts - German
The University of Arizona