Karen Hyun, Ph.D., is the chief of staff for NOAA.

Prior to joining NOAA in January 2021, she spent four years at the National Audubon Society where she served as the vice president for coastal conservation, as well as director of water and coastal policy. 

Dr. Hyun has championed conservation issues across the Executive Branch, including as the deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Department of the Interior; senior advisor to the NOAA administrator; chief of staff to the deputy secretary of commerce; and senior policy advisor to the secretary of commerce. She also served as professional staff and NOAA Sea Grant Knauss fellow on the Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Dr. Hyun received her Ph.D. in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island, and an M.S. and B.S. from Stanford University.