Our Staff

Monica McLenigan

External Communications Manager

Monica is passionate about finding ways to create change through effective communication strategies. Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, Monica loved spending all of her time outside. But it wasn’t until her 8th grade Earth Sciences class – where she began to learn about the fascinating story of life on this planet – that her passion for environmental activism really took hold.

After graduating from the North Carolina State University College of Natural Resources with a degree in Ecosystem Assessment, Monica decided to pursue a career in the nonprofit industry. She joined the small team at Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i to tackle plastic pollution and raise awareness about the greater environmental crisis. With over five years of experience working in the nonprofit industry, Monica excels in transforming complex ideas into digestible information for a wide audience. Now, she is eager to use effective communication strategies to re-build resilient island communities as the External Communications Manager for Island Conservation. Monica hopes to create change in her community so the next generation of 8th-grade students can find wonder in their Earth Sciences class, just like she did.

In her free time, Monica enjoys any activity that will get her outdoors, reading at her local beach, camping, yoga, dancing, and time with friends, family, and dogs.