Welcoming Dr. Shaistha Mohamed: Waitt Institute's New Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Dr. Shaistha Mohamed has joined the Waitt Institute as its new Stakeholder Engagement Manager under the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) team. With a deep commitment to sustainable ocean management, Shaistha manages efforts to engage diverse stakeholders in the development of long-term plans that balance ecological preservation with economic and social well-being.

Before joining the Waitt Institute team, Shaistha was the MSP Engagement Strategist for the Noo Raajje Program in the Maldives. In this role, she developed and executed a nationwide stakeholder engagement strategy, guiding Phase 1 of the country’s MSP engagement efforts. Her work involved conducting extensive outreach across the Maldives, gathering insights from local communities, fisheries, and industry representatives to shape sustainable ocean management strategies.

Shaistha brings a unique perspective with her PhD in social influence, leadership, and social change. She has worked as a social sustainability consultant in the Maldives since 2017, managing community grievances, coordinating social research, and overseeing social compliance for developmental projects across the nation. She is passionate about understanding the needs and concerns of ocean users and ensuring that planning processes reflect the values of the communities they serve.

With her background in social psychology and stakeholder engagement, Shaistha is dedicated to fostering collaboration that maximizes the ecological, economic, and social benefits of Marine Spatial Planning.