We’re proud to announce that we’ve recruited our first CEO, and we’re excited to introduce Dr. Richard Cudney-Bueno as the founding Chief Executive Officer of Gulf of Tomorrow.

A bilingual and multicultural leader with deep roots in Mexico and the United States, Richard brings three decades of experience connecting people, institutions, and ideas across sectors and borders to address complex environmental challenges. 

Richard has deep experience across the conservation field—as a practitioner, scientist, educator, philanthropic leader, strategic advisor, and institution builder. His leadership is grounded in science, collaboration, and a conviction that showing up, fostering strong relationships, and building trust are what create lasting change.

As Program Officer for Conservation and Science at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Richard led their coastal and marine conservation strategies in Latin America, managing more than $60 million in grantmaking and helping build collaborative initiatives to strengthen conservation organizations and leadership across the region.

As Principal of Andanza Advisors LLC, Richard has advised various institutions, governments, and conservation organizations on strategy, sustainable finance, fisheries management, and organizational development. 

Now, as our founding CEO, Richard will lead Gulf of Tomorrow in building a new tri-national organization that connects and strengthens efforts across the United States, Mexico, and Cuba to advance a healthy, resilient Gulf.