Mary C. Pearl

Member of the Board

Dr. Mary C. Pearl is an internationally recognized scientist, conservationist, and educator with a distinguished career in environmental and academic leadership. A Yale graduate with a Ph.D. in physical anthropology and evolutionary biology, Mary began her career at the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to conservation. She later served as President of Wildlife Trust (now EcoHealth Alliance), where she developed conservation programs across 20 biodiverse countries. As the Founding Dean of Stony Brook Southampton, a campus dedicated to sustainability, and later as Dean of Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, Mary pioneered innovative environmental programs and secured major funding to expand educational opportunities. Currently, she coordinates the International Biodiversity Network, linking conservation scientists globally, and chairs the Center for Large Landscape Conservation. Widely regarded as a pioneer in conservation medicine, Mary’s work bridges environmental, health, and social sciences to address complex global challenges. Her career reflects a profound dedication to biodiversity protection and conservation education.