About Zdenka

Zdenka Saba Willis, L.L.D. is the CEO of Veraison Consulting, focusing on ocean technology and policy. She retired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Senior Executive Service where she was the founding Director of the United States Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS®) Office. From 2006 to 2007, she was the Director of NOAA’s National Oceanographic Data Center. Ms. Willis retired with the rank of Captain from the United States Navy. As Meteorology and Oceanography officer, she deployed onboard Navy survey vessels, and held a wide range of duties including: Deputy Navigator of the Navy, Deputy to Naval Deputy to NOAA; Director of the National Ice Center; Commanding Officer of Oceanographic Unit One at sea on the USNS HARKNESS; Director of the Strategic Policy Forum (a crisis simulation for Members of Congress, senior Executive branch officials, and military leaders); and as adjunct professor in the Strategic Leadership Department at the National Defense University. Ms. Willis has a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, Master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Dalhousie University. Ms. Willis is an MTS Fellow.

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