Abby Ostovar, Ph.D.

Water Policy Specialist

Areas of Specialization

Water Policy and Governance

Stakeholder Collaboration and Negotiation

Abby Ostovar joined M&A in 2019, bringing diverse experience in water, climate, and environmental policy. Her work at M&A focuses on groundwater sustainability in the Salinas Valley and California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Prior to M&A, she managed environmental cooperation programs for the U.S. Department of State, working with U.S. federal agencies and program partners. In this role, she oversaw $75 million in program funding and led bilateral environmental cooperation with Oman. She brings to her projects not only her water policy and program management skills but also her experience in negotiation and stakeholder engagement. Abby has numerous peer-reviewed publications to her credit and has presented at conferences in California and Washington, D.C.  She also teaches water and environmental policy courses at California State University – Monterey Bay and American University in Washington, D.C. Abby completed the Water Education Foundation’s 2022 Water Leaders Class.

Abby Ostovar

Qualifications
At A Glance

Experience since 2005

Ph.D., Water Policy/International Relations
American University

M.A., Law and Diplomacy
Tufts University

M.A., Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
Tufts University

B.S., Environmental Science
Tufts University

Select Publications / Community Involvement

Continuing the journey toward groundwater sustainability

Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA), Member

Water Education Foundation’s 2022 Water Leaders Class