Dr. Mark Gold

Dr. Mark Gold focuses on building climate resilience through integrated water management solutions for the increasingly arid urban California and the West. From 2019–2022, Gold served as Governor Gavin Newsom's deputy secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy and executive director of the Ocean Protection Council. He served as a key advisor to the governor and the secretary of Natural Resources and directed policy, scientific research, and critical partnerships to increase protection of coastal and ocean resources in California. Prior to his appointment, he was the UCLA associate vice chancellor for Environment and Sustainability, where he helped create and lead its Sustainable LA Grand Challenge effort. Before becoming associate vice chancellor, Gold was the interim director and associate director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. He has been an adjunct professor at UCLA for more than 15 years. Prior to UCLA, Gold served as president of the environmental group Heal the Bay for 18 years. Over the course of his career, Gold has focused on all things wet, and his research focused on beach water quality and health risks as well as sustainable water resources management and sustainable cities. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and his doctorate in environmental science and engineering, all from UCLA. Gold has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Metropolitan Water District and the California Coastal Commission. He is based in Santa Monica, California.