Dr. Leila Hatch (she/her)

Leila Hatch works to reduce ocean noise pollution from industrial sources, with a priority focus on commercial shipping. She joined NRDC in 2025 after working at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for sixteen years. At NOAA, she led efforts to reduce the impacts of underwater noise associated with ocean energy development and transportation projects. She also worked on integrating ocean noise into the study and management of our National Marine Sanctuaries. Prior to NOAA, Hatch served as a fellow in the U.S. Congress, where she supported ocean and coastal policy and participated in global research programs to study human impacts on whale and dolphin populations. She holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Cornell University. She is based in NRDC's Washington, D.C., office.