We are excited to announce that Sean O’Brien, Ph.D., has been selected as the Executive Director of the Geological Society of America Foundation. Dr. O’Brien has nearly 30 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience and a background in environmental science, including a foundation in the geosciences. As a certified executive coach, he has deep experience in organizational development ranging from fundraising, to building visibility, to establishing thoughtful policies and procedures that advance the organization and promote positive workplace cultures. In addition, Sean has professional experience in fostering civility in politics, education in constitutional principles, and protection of endangered species.
As the Geological Society of America Foundation approaches its 50th year of supporting the GSA and geosciences, we are excited to have someone with Sean’s deep experience in the nonprofit sector.
Sean brings experience leading organizations ranging from six to 150 people, local to international impact, and budgets up to $12 million. In 2022–2023, he worked from a camper van as he visited some of the most spectacular natural sites in 26 U.S. states. He is an enthusiastic yogi, cyclist, indoor rock climber, and aspires to bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
“I am excited to be working at the intersection of promoting science and science education, understanding of our planet, and providing support for geoscientists working for the benefit of humanity,” said O’Brien. “At the same time, I am constantly inspired by the beauty of our planet and how we, as a species, seek inspiration and peace from geologic formations when we visit nature.”
Sean graduated from the University of Virginia with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science in 1994 and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Princeton University. He was the Finance Director of the Rush Holt for Congress campaign in New Jersey. He later served as Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, Executive Director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier, Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer at Montpelier, and President and CEO of NatureServe. Sean is a co-author on peer-reviewed papers in Science, Ecology, and Climatic Change among other publications.
We would also like to thank Neil Fishman for his excellent service to the Foundation as Interim Executive Director. During his tenure, several new funds for research grants and career awards were established. In addition, he organized the recent Death Valley Rendezvous trip.
Sean looks forward to meeting and partnering with you.
Photo of Sean O’Brien, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.