Emily Menashes

Menashes grew up in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.^[1] She attended Bowdoin College, where she earned a B.A. in biology and environmental studies.^[1] She later obtained a M.S. in marine resource management from Oregon State University.^[1]

Menashes began her career as a Knauss Sea Grant Fellow at National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).^[2] She remained with the agency for the next 17 years, working in the Office of Protected Resources and the Office of Sustainable Fisheries.^[2] During this time, she served as deputy director in the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, where she handled national policy and regulatory issues related to marine fishery resources and seafood management.^[2]

Menashes later held leadership positions across multiple National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) line offices, including NOAA Fisheries, National Ocean Service (NOS), and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).^[3] At NOS, she served as chief of staff, and she also held the role of senior policy advisor and acting NOAA deputy chief of staff.^[2] She completed a one-year detail as deputy director for ocean and coastal policy with the Council on Environmental Quality.^[1]

Menashes was deputy assistant administrator for programs and administration at OAR.^[1] In September 2023, she was appointed deputy assistant administrator for operations at NMFS.^[1] In this role, she oversees the agency's budget and facilities operations, along with the several headquarters offices.^[1] In early 2025, Menashes began performing the duties of acting assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere and acting assistant administrator for NFMS, succeeding Janet Coit.^[3]

Menashes resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.^[2]