Dr. Erin Meyer serves as Chief Program Officer for American Humane Society, the country’s first national humane organization. Dr. Meyer oversees the strategic direction of American and Global Humane Society programs, ensuring consistent impact and growth.
With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of conservation, animal welfare and mission-driven program development, Dr. Meyer is committed to collaborative, ethical and impact-driven programs that align with American Humane Society’s mission to protect animals in every environment.
Prior to her role with American Humane Society, Dr. Meyer served as Chief Conservation Officer at the Seattle Aquarium, where she led a dynamic team and launched globally recognized initiatives in climate resilience and species recovery. Dr. Meyer co-founded ReShark — a 100+ partner international effort to rewild threatened sharks and rays. Dr. Meyer led the development of the aquarium’s regenerative plan, moving beyond ‘do no harm’ toward restorative strategies to elevate mission delivery.
Dr. Meyer’s leadership philosophy is grounded in trust, integrity and deep respect for the people and animals served by conservation and animal welfare efforts. She is recognized as an authority in conservation and is frequently engaged by international media and policymakers to shape critical environmental strategies. Her work has included extensive collaboration with Indigenous peoples, non-profits, academia, governments and community leaders to build programs that sustain livelihoods, strengthen community resilience and drive regenerative solutions.
Dr. Meyer earned her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and holds bachelor’s degrees in marine biology and conservation from Rutgers University. She previously served as Senior Scientist at California Ocean Science Trust and currently serves on the ReShark Council and the StAR Project Steering Committee.