Mark SVOBODA

As Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), Dr. Svoboda administers and oversees the center’s staff and mission. Mark is a climatologist by training and he works closely with federal, tribal, state, basin, local and international officials and governments on drought monitoring early warning information systems, drought risk management planning and collaborative research. Dr. Svoboda is the co-founder of the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. He is currently a member of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) Intergovernmental Working Group 2 (IWG2) and is a drought preparedness working group co-leader for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG). Mark is internationally known for his drought monitoring/early warning and risk management work and has been a keynote speaker, principal investigator, consultant, advisory board member, or an invited expert for activities in over 65 countries/regions/organizations to date.