GCFI Appoints Fadilah Ali as Executive Director as Executive Director, Building on the Legacy of Robert Glazer and Nearly Eight Decades of Regional Leadership

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fadilah Ali as its new Executive Director, effective December 1, 2025. Her appointment, by the Board of Directors, marks an important moment of continuity and renewal for an institution with nearly 80 years of history, building on the enduring legacy of former Executive Director, Robert ‘Bob’ Glazer, while positioning GCFI to respond to the growing challenges and opportunities facing the Gulf of Mexico and the Wider Caribbean region.

Founded in 1947, GCFI has long served as a unique and trusted platform connecting scientists, fishers, managers, policymakers, students, and communities across the Gulf of Mexico and the Wider Caribbean. For almost eight decades, the Institute has played a central role in advancing fisheries science, fostering regional collaboration, and strengthening both institutional and human capacity in one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally diverse marine regions. As the region faces increasing challenges from climate change, overfishing, habitat degradation, and economic uncertainty, GCFI’s role in convening stakeholders and its science-based approach are more important than ever.

Under Bob Glazer’s leadership, GCFI became a highly respected regional institution known for its commitment to scientific excellence, collaboration, and good governance. His vision emphasized institutional continuity, transparency, and long-term resilience, principles that led to the development of GCFI’s Executive Director Succession Plan, which continues to guide the organization today.

Fadilah Ali’s appointment reflects that same spirit of continuity, while also bringing new energy and perspective at a critical moment for the region. Over recent years, she has played a central role in sustaining and strengthening GCFI’s work, serving in progressively senior roles such as the Assistant Executive Director and most recently as Interim Executive Director. During this period, she ensured organizational stability, strengthened grant and financial management systems, expanded regional and international partnerships, and reinforced GCFI’s position as a trusted convener and bridge between science, policy, and practice.

At GCFI78: Marko Tosic (IOCARIBE), Lorna Innis (IOCARIBE), Eduardo Lalo Bone (GCFI Chair), Fadilah Ali (GCFI Executive Director), Alison Clausen (GCFI78 Keynote, IOC UNESCO), Alejandro Acosta (GCFI Program Chair)

With more than 15 years of experience in marine science, fisheries governance, and regional cooperation, Fadilah has deep roots in the Caribbean and a strong understanding of the region’s institutional and political landscape. Her work includes science-to-policy engagement, donor relations, communications, and program leadership. She has represented GCFI in collaborations with key partners including UNEP, UNESCO, UN Ocean Decade, IOCARIBE, FAO, WECAFC, and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund.

Her leadership was particularly evident during the 78th Annual GCFI Conference, one of the most successful in the Institute’s history, which brought together hundreds of participants from more than 40 countries and strengthened relationships with major regional and international institutions committed to sustainable fisheries and ocean stewardship. “Fadilah’s appointment honors the legacy that Bob Glazer built while confidently looking ahead,” said Eduardo Boné-Morón, Chair of the GCFI Board of Directors. “Her institutional knowledge, regional credibility, and collaborative leadership make her exceptionally well suited to guide GCFI at a time when the need for strong, trusted regional leadership has never been greater”.

As Executive Director, Fadilah will lead GCFI into its next chapter by strengthening the Institute’s long-term financial sustainability, deepening regional and international partnerships, advancing sustainable fisheries, supporting small-scale and artisanal fishing communities, and ensuring that GCFI remains a neutral, inclusive platform for science-based dialogue and collaboration across the Gulf and Caribbean. Reflecting on her appointment, Fadilah Ali said: “GCFI has a unique role in our region, bringing people together across disciplines, countries, and generations. As the Caribbean and Gulf face rapid environmental and social change, regional cooperation and trust-based institutions are more important than ever. I am honored to build on the strong foundation laid by Bob Glazer and by so many colleagues, and to work with the Board, staff, and partners to ensure GCFI continues to grow and serve the region for decades to come”.

GCFI Board of Directors at GCFI78 in Cartagena, Colombia (October 27-31, 2025)

With this appointment, GCFI reaffirms its commitment to continuity, collaboration, and regional leadership, values that have defined the Institute for nearly 80 years and will continue to guide its future.