Kristen Fletcher

Kristen Fletcher, LLM ’97, is the Executive Director of the Coastal States Organization which represents the interests of the Governors from the thirty-five coastal States and Territories on federal, legislative, and policy issues relating to sound coastal, Great Lakes, and ocean
management. Fletcher's current work focuses on advancing sustainable management and policies for US coastal areas, specficially focusing on advocating on behalf of coastal states in Washington DC and beyond. Current projects include a rewriting and reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act, serving on the MMS Subcommittee on Alternative Energy, and staffing several CSO working groups.

Prior to joining CSO, Fletcher directed the Marine Affairs Institute and Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program at Roger Williams University where she advised university researchers, federal and state agencies, and other Sea Grant constituents on ocean and coastal law issues and
directed research and outreach projects. Previously, she directed the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program and was founding director of the National Sea Grant Law Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Currently Fletcher serves as president of The Coastal Society and is a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program. She is an avid sea kayaker.