About
Bernie Tershy is a conservation entrepreneur who founded Island Conservation, a California-based NGO focused on creating marine and island protected areas and preventing species extinctions. He is an Adjunct Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, where he co-directs the Coastal Conservation Action Lab, and holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology and behavior from Cornell University. Since 2016 he has helped Mulago source and select its Henry Arnhold Fellows, and his work centers on conservation entrepreneurship and measuring conservation outcomes.
Invests in
Climate TechImpact & Social Good
Experience
- Rainforest TrustBoard Chaircurrent2024 — present
- Rainforest TrustBoard Membercurrent2023 — present
- Freshwater LifeBoard Membercurrent2022 — present
- Freshwater LifeCo-Foundercurrent2022 — present
- Mulago FoundationConsultant to Henry Arnhold Fellows Programcurrent2015 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Mulago FoundationFaculty, Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program2014 — 2017
- Conservation MetricsCo-founder, Board Chaircurrent2015 — presentSanta Cruz, CA
- University of California, Santa CruzAdjunct Professor, Lab Co-Founder, Directorcurrent2000 — presentSanta Cruz, CA
- IUCNMember, Invasive Species Specialist Groupcurrent2010 — present
- IUCNMember, Commission on Ecosystem Managment2015 — 2022
- Pacific Collegiate SchoolBoard Member2022 — 2025
- IUCN SSC Asian Species Action PartnershipCommission Member2021 — 2025
- OneReefBoard Member2013 — 2025Santa Cruz, CA
- Common Mission ProjectBoard of Advisors2021 — 2024
- Save The Waves Coalition - www.savethewaves.orgAdvisory Board Member2018 — 2024Santa Cruz, CA
- UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science & Policy ProgramFaculty2016 — 2023
- Doris Duke Conservation Scholars ProgramSteering Committee Member2014 — 2023UC, Santa Cruz
- Rainforest TrustAdvisory Board Member2018 — 2022Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Island ConservationAdvisory Board Member2014 — 2021
- Tony Hawk FoundationAdvisory Board Member2014 — 2020
Education
- Cornell UniversityPh.D., Neurobiology & Behavior
- San José State UniversityMS, Marine Sciences
- University of California, Santa CruzBS, Biology
Skills & more
Languages English · Spanish
From Bernie's professional profile.
Investments
Board seats
Conservation Metrics
Per the firm's website.
Colleagues at Mulago Foundation
Alex Hughes-Smith
Communications Lead at Mulago Foundation
Avery Bang
Partner at Mulago Foundation
Claire McMahon
Project Manager at Mulago Foundation
Kenichi Nozaki
Investment Principal at Mulago Foundation
Kevin Starr
CEO at Mulago Foundation
Kristen Sinclair
Assistant to the CEO at Mulago Foundation
Kristin Gilliss Moyer
COO & Head of Portfolio at Mulago Foundation
Laura Hattendorf
Senior Advisor at Mulago Foundation
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Bernie Tershy work?
- Bernie Tershy is Senior Advisor at Mulago Foundation.
- What does Bernie Tershy invest in?
- Bernie Tershy invests in Climate Tech, Impact & Social Good.
Same school
Also attended Cornell University703
Doug LeonePartner at Sequoia Capital; former Global Managing PartnerJenny LeeSenior Managing Partner at Granite AsiaNeeraj AgrawalGeneral Partner at Battery VenturesMichelle FernandesInvestor at Index VenturesMicah RosenbloomGeneral Partner at Founder CollectiveAlexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North America
+ 697 more
Also attended San José State University103
Arturo LitvinHead of Global Portfolio Development at Intel CapitalCarrie RuleVP Finance at Redpoint VenturesJamie WatsonGTM Coordinator at Scale Venture PartnersDeny KhoungPortfolio Support at 8VCKim TranFinance at Lux CapitalMarvin SooHooVenture Partner at Moneta Ventures
+ 97 more
Also attended University of California, Santa Cruz69
Neha JewalikarDirector of Communications at Scale Venture PartnersChristine SamsAssistant Controller at Crosslink CapitalAnne FoorInvestor at Khosla VenturesNoor NijjerHead of Investor Relations at Sierra VenturesJohn BurkeCo-Founder, Managing Partner at PROOFMichelle ModestInvestor at Alpha Partners
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+ 63 more
