Mikaela Weisse is the Director of Global Forest Watch, an initiative to make up-to-date information about the world’s forests accessible to governments, companies, and civil society. Mikaela oversees Global Forest Watch’s implementation, strategy, and fundraising, with a goal of providing decision-makers with the data, tools, and insights they need to better manage forested landscapes.

In previous roles, Mikaela led Global Forest Watch’s strategy for satellite-based forest monitoring, researched the implementation of deforestation alert systems, and added new data sets to the Global Forest Watch platform. Prior to joining WRI, she analyzed the effectiveness of conservation initiatives in the Peruvian Amazon as an M.S student and interned with the Wildlife Conservation Society in Peru.

She holds an M.S. in Geography and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin. In her free time, Mikaela enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring new places. She lives in Madison, WI with her husband and daughter.