Emily Menashes

Emily Menashes is an American government official serving as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) since 2023. She was temporarily acting as the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries in 2025.

Early life and education Menashes grew up in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. She attended Bowdoin College, where she earned a B.A. in biology and environmental studies. She remained with the agency for the next 17 years, working in the Office of Protected Resources and the Office of Sustainable Fisheries. 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. She completed a one-year detail as deputy director for ocean and coastal policy with the Council on Environmental Quality.

Menashes was deputy assistant administrator for programs and administration at OAR. In September 2023, she was appointed deputy assistant administrator for operations at NMFS. In this role, she oversees the agency's budget and facilities operations, along with the several headquarters offices. 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.

Personal life Menashes resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.