Experience

California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jan 2022 - Present

• Executive Director

  • Jul 2018 - Dec 2021

  Mace was named Executive Director in May 2019 after a nationwide search, and previously served as Interim Executive Director since July 2018.

• Deputy Director

  • Oct 2013 - Jun 2018



University of California, Davis

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Policy Fellow

  • Oct 2013 - Present

  She serves as ongoing organizational decision support and development to help advance the work of the Policy Institute.

• Associate Director

  • Apr 2012 - Oct 2013

  The UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy is a bold new initiative that leverages world-class university expertise to address pressing societal challenges. The Policy Institute delivers credible, relevant, and timely information and analysis to decision-makers to inform better energy and environmental policy. The Institute focuses in the areas of mobility, agriculture, clean energy, energy efficiency, air quality, water supply and water quality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and other policy-relevant energy and environmental topics that align with UC Davis expertise.The Policy Institute is ideally suited to improve decision-making with relevant science due to its strong connections with well-established interdisciplinary energy and environmental research centers, its proximity to Sacramento, national and international connections, deep knowledge of decision-making, and science-policy expertise. Show less



NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Past Chair

  • Jan 2020 - Mar 2022

  The National Sea Grant Advisory Board is the National Sea Grant College Program's Federal Advisory Committee (FAC). The Board advises NOAA and the National Sea Grant College Program on strategies to address the Nation's highest priorities in terms of the understanding, assessment, development, management utilization and conservation of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources.

• Chair

  • Jan 2018 - Dec 2019

• Vice Chair

  • Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

• Board Member

  • Mar 2013 - Dec 2015



California Ocean Protection Council

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Nov 2009 - Mar 2012

  Led collaborative partnerships with state, federal, and local agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations to effectively implement strategic goals of cabinet-level council.Chaired a climate adaptation working group of 16 state agencies that developed science-based guidelines for incorporating sea level rise projections into management and policy decisions.Developed policy recommendations and budget priorities, and implemented strategic approaches for Ocean Protection Council (OPC) initiatives in close consultation with the Council Chair. Issue areas included: climate change adaptation and sea level rise, marine renewable energy, marine protected areas, marine spatial planning, collaborative fisheries research, ocean observing, federal funding, international whaling, and marine debris.Facilitated the external evaluation of the first five years of OPC performance and the development of the OPC 2012-2017 strategic plan.Delivered >20 invited public and professional speeches and presentations, including the Opening Plenary for the 2010 California and World Ocean Conference and the 2010 Keeley Lecture on Environmental Policy at UC Santa Cruz. Show less

• Science Advisor

  • Oct 2006 - Nov 2009

  As the OST Executive Director, served as lead scientist to the OPC by coordinating all scientific aspects of the California Ocean Protection Act implementation, including peer review and outreach.Assembled and co-chaired a 24-member science advisory team of world-renowned ocean scientists to ensure that OPC decisions are informed by the best available science.Developed management-relevant research priorities and identified emerging issues of concern.



California Ocean Science Trust

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Oct 2006 - Nov 2009

  Led the revitalization of OST by restructuring the managing board into a governing board and establishing financial systems, benefits, and infrastructure to support a growing staff. Increased the OST staff from one to six and the OST annual budget from $80K in FY07 to $2M in FY09, by securing 12 grants totaling $7.6M. Developed a business plan for organizational effectiveness and program development that clarified OST’s competitive advantage and focused on institutionalizing the integration of science into policy. Oversaw the development of the Marine Protected Areas Monitoring Enterprise. Coordinated the development of syntheses of the latest science on management-relevant topics, such as the alternatives to oil platform decommissioning. Show less



U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Knauss Sea Grant Fellow

  • Jan 2006 - Oct 2006

  Assisted the Committee in addressing open-ocean aquaculture, marine debris, national ocean policy, and the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. Assisted the Committee in addressing open-ocean aquaculture, marine debris, national ocean policy, and the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.



California Natural Resources Agency

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• California Sea Grant Fellow

  • 2005 - 2005

  Worked with leaders of state agencies on Ocean Protection Council planning and organization. Staffed the Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy on science and policy issues related to national research priorities, marine protected areas, regional ocean governance, and ecosystem-based management. Worked with leaders of state agencies on Ocean Protection Council planning and organization. Staffed the Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy on science and policy issues related to national research priorities, marine protected areas, regional ocean governance, and ecosystem-based management.



Greater Farallones Association

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Visitor Center and Interpretive Programs Manager

  • Jun 1996 - Jan 2000

  Assisted with development of the Gulf of the Farallones visitor center, developed interpretive exhibits, managed a budget, staff, volunteers and visitor center operations. Led interpretive nature trips for the public, lectured on marine conservation, and organized a monthly lecture series. Raised funds through outreach events and grant proposals. Participated in the Sustainable Seas Expedition as a submersible pilot. Assisted with development of the Gulf of the Farallones visitor center, developed interpretive exhibits, managed a budget, staff, volunteers and visitor center operations. Led interpretive nature trips for the public, lectured on marine conservation, and organized a monthly lecture series. Raised funds through outreach events and grant proposals. Participated in the Sustainable Seas Expedition as a submersible pilot.



University of California, Berkeley

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Scientific SCUBA Diving Assistant Instructor

  • Aug 1993 - Jun 1996

  Taught SCUBA, free diving, emergency rescue procedures, diving physics and physiology, diving safety, underwater research techniques, and underwater self-reliance. Taught SCUBA, free diving, emergency rescue procedures, diving physics and physiology, diving safety, underwater research techniques, and underwater self-reliance.