Michael Allen

Major Gifts Officer

Michael is a seasoned major gifts fundraiser with more than seven years of experience in the conservation, policy, and advocacy space. Before coming to CORAL, Michael led philanthropy programs at the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, serving Rocky Mountain National Park, the third most visited park in the national park system.  There he led a vibrant major gifts and annual giving program to support park stewardship, land protection, and important park improvements.  Previous to that, Michael led the fundraising and membership programs at the Access Fund, a national membership organization for climbers, focusing on protecting and conserving climbing areas across the country.  He is excited to bring his passion for conservation, and his fundraising prowess to CORAL and join the fight to protect and conserve coral reefs. Before his work in fundraising, Michael began his career in politics, serving as Press Secretary to Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma, and worked as a Legislative Aid to Congressman David Wu of Oregon. Michael holds a master’s degree in political management from The George Washington University.  

Outside of work, Michael is an avid adventurist and outdoor photographer with a deep love for conserving oceans. Whether diving, surfing or racing paddle boards, Michael has been at home on or underneath the water since he was kid. Some of his fondest memories as a young adult are of working as an adventure guide in the Florida Keys, introducing young people to Looe Key, Alligator Reef, and many others along the Keys’ unified coral reef system. Michael spent several seasons diving the reefs and teaching teenagers about the ecology and conservation of coral and its many native fish and animal species. He is excited to bring that passion full circle at CORAL, guiding our donors in their own journeys to supporting these magnificent resources. 

We know that when we protect our oceans, we are protecting our future.

Bill Clinton