Chris Hancock joined the Pacific Institute in 2024 as Senior Manager of Strategic Communications and Outreach. Chris works collaboratively with program staff to develop and implement strategic communications and outreach plans across the Pacific Institute’s Impact Areas of Water Efficiency & Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, Water Equity, and Corporate Water Stewardship, as well as the topics of water conflict, the water-energy nexus, and water resilience.

He has more than a decade of progressively responsible communications experience. Chris comes to the Pacific Institute from Winrock International, a U.S.-based NGO with a diverse international and domestic development portfolio, including extensive climate, water, and natural resource management work in the U.S. and dozens of other countries. Over seven years at Winrock, Chris ultimately advanced to serve as Director of Communications. He led corporate and strategic communications campaigns and supported project communications in the United States and globally.

Chris has extensive experience leading climate and water communications initiatives and campaigns in coordination with a variety of funders, partners, and stakeholders, including USAID, USDA, and other federal agencies, and with foundations such as Visa Foundation, Walmart.org, Walton Family Foundation, as well as multiple multinational corporations.

Previously, Chris worked for the State of Arkansas as a Communications Manager at the Historic Arkansas Museum and as a Public Information Officer at Arkansas’s Museum of African American History. He is passionate about environmental stewardship, natural resource management, and community development. As a volunteer, Chris has served on multiple boards and committees.

Chris graduated from the Schedler Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas with a BA in English Language and Literature. In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and outdoor activities.