Caroline Blanco

Ms. Blanco served as Assistant General Counsel at the National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2007 through 2025 where she oversaw NSF’s Environmental and Cultural Property Law practice.  She also served as NSF’s Tribal Liaison.  Prior to her tenure at NSF, she was a trial attorney with the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) where, for over 16 years, she specialized in Historic Preservation and Cultural Property Law.  Both NSF and DOJ recognized the contributions Ms. Blanco made to her field by awarding her several prestigious awards.  She received her B.A. in history from Northwestern University and her J.D., cum laude, from American University's Washington college of Law.

Throughout her career, Ms. Blanco has shared her expertise through extensive speaking engagements, training sessions, and publications.  She was also an adjunct professor at American University’s Washington College of Law where she taught Cultural Property Law.  In addition, since 2001, she has served as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  Ms. Blanco recently retired from government service, but continues her work as a mediator and remains active in her field.