Vice President of Research, Industry, & Technology - Leslie-Ann McGee

Leslie-Ann McGee is Chief Innovation Officer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution(WHOI), where she founded and leads OceanWorks; an institutional platform advancing technology commercialization, industry partnerships, and research translation across a world-leading ocean science enterprise. She brings more than two decades of experience spanning academic research, applied R&D, government, and global ocean industry collaboration, with a career focused on translating science and engineering innovation into real-world impact. At WHOI, she serves as a central interface between principal investigators, engineers, corporate partners, and entrepreneurs, leading deal strategy and execution for technology licenses, industry-sponsored research, and startup pathways. She also designed WHOI’s Ocean IQ consortium, a multi-partner model enabling industry aligned, PI-driven co-development. She lead the establishment and growth of the Ocean Pavilion within the UNFCCC COP “Blue Zone,” helping to elevate ocean science and technology within global climate negotiations. Previously, she led ocean and coastal solutions at Battelle Memorial Institute, directed the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program, and held senior roles advancing industry-government-science collaborations. Her early career included scientific and policy roles with NOAA, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the New England Aquarium. Ms. McGee holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She has served in numerous advisory and board roles across the ocean innovation ecosystem.

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
1. Strengthen the bridge between research innovation and industry adoption aim to expand MTS’s role as a convening platform that translates emerging marine technologies into scalable, real-world applications. This includes creating more structured pathways for engagement among researchers, industry partners, and investors particularly around codevelopment, pilot deployments, and early demonstration opportunities.

2. Elevate visibility and integration of emerging and cross-sector technologies Marine technology innovation increasingly sits at the intersection of ocean science, robotics, data systems, and climate solutions. I will work to highlight and integrate these domains within MTS programming and partnerships, ensuring members are positioned at the forefront of converging technologies and new market opportunities, while strengthening the visibility of marine technology within global climate and policy forums.

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
I bring a unique combination of scientific grounding, policy experience, and hands-on leadership in technology commercialization and industry engagement. Across my career, I have operated at the interface of research institutions and applied users building trusted relationships with principal investigators while structuring partnerships with industry, government, and entrepreneurs to advance innovation into practice. In my current role as Chief Innovation O?icer at WHOI, I design and lead institutional strategies that enable research translation at scale. This includes developing partnership models, negotiating complex agreements, and building portfolios that span early-stage discovery through commercialization. I have direct experience advancing diverse marine technologies, from sensing systems to robotics and data-enabled tools, into funded collaborations and market pathways. I also bring a global and cross-sector perspective, shaped by leadership roles in government, nonprofit R&D, and international industry convenings. This background enables me to understand the priorities and constraints of multiple stakeholders and to build alignment across them. I have also contributed to elevating the role of ocean science and technology on the global stage, including leadership in establishing the Ocean Pavilion within the UNFCCC COP Blue Zone bringing together governments, industry, and researchers to advance ocean-climate solutions. Finally, I am a builder of programs, partnerships, and platforms. I am motivated to strengthen MTS as a central hub for connecting innovation with application, and to help position its members for leadership in the rapidly evolving ocean technology landscape.