Adriana Lacerda is an accomplished operations executive with more than 20 years of experience modernizing systems, strengthening governance and driving operational excellence across mission-driven organizations. She specializes in transforming legacy operations into resilient, transparent and data-driven environments that enhance performance and long-term sustainability.

As Vice President of Operations at Ocean Conservancy, Adriana leads enterprise-wide modernization efforts and the overhaul of legacy information technology infrastructure. She partners with information technology, grants and contracts compliance teams to improve efficiency, strengthen data integrity and reduce operational costs. Her work has resulted in streamlined workflows, greater transparency and governance frameworks that support better strategic decision-making.

Before joining Ocean Conservancy, Adriana served as Director of Strategy, Finance, and Operations at the Atlantic Council’s Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, where she advanced financial alignment, operational clarity and systems modernization. She previously led finance, IT, HR and operations for The Nature Conservancy’s Maryland/DC Chapter, implementing cost-saving strategies and building systems that improved coordination and transparency across regional offices while reducing operational expenses and increasing team collaboration.

Throughout her career, Adriana has overseen multimillion-dollar portfolios of government and private grants and contracts, guided organizations through complex change and earned a reputation as a pragmatic problem-solver. Her expertise spans technology modernization, financial management, governance, risk oversight and organizational resilience, skills that position her to contribute meaningfully to strategic leadership and sustainable growth.

Adriana holds an MBA and an MS in Management with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, as well as a Bachelor of Law from the University of Passo Fundo in Brazil. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Procurement and Contracts Management and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) candidate. She is a committed advocate for operational innovation, accountability and transparency in leadership.

Education

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Maryland Global Campus
• Master of Science, Management, University of Maryland Global Campus
• Bachelor of Law, Social and Juridical Sciences, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Brazil

My Favorite Ocean Animal

The blue whale. They are the largest animals on our planet and, despite their size and power, are so elegant and peaceful.