Kevin Kun He is a Principal Associate at The Pew Charitable Trusts and serves as an environmental economist as part of the Conservation Science program. In that role, Kevin collaborates with Pew's environmental portfolio in several ways: by designing integrated ecological and economics research initiatives, supporting strategic policy decisions based on the best available science on incentives and human behavior, and exploring cross-cutting issues (such as financing) at the forefront of conservation.

 

Earlier in his career, Kevin supported Oceana's efforts to improve fisheries management globally by expanding the organization's focus and understanding of small-scale fisheries and also supported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the development of new indicators for its Climate Change Indicators report, which was one of his favorite experiences thus far. He noted, “climate change can sometimes feel like a vague concept or an ephemeral challenge, and this report tries to bring to light the impacts that will resonate with the average US citizen to really help create momentum for action”.

 

Kevin explains that creative thinking, research rigor, insights and data analysis, and effective communication are integral components that are core to his day to day work. Although Kevin utilizes these skills for personal and professional success, he has felt imposter syndrome within his career like many do, “especially as someone who came late to economics, it's easy to feel like I don't have the qualifications to make decisions or push back on the decisions of others. What's helped thus far are good mentorship and persistence. Having supportive mentors around me have helped to amplify my voice and provide me encouragement when I'm feeling most in doubt, and that's also pushed me to keep trying and being okay if something I've said ends up turning out to be a dumb statement since that isn't a reflection of who I am but simply that I'm still early on in my career!”.