Meet the FOunder

In the beginning ...

It might surprise you to know that I didn’t grow up near the sea. In fact, I was born in a landlocked state and raised in a rural town surrounded by corn fields. The closest ocean was over 800 miles away! But even in the heart of the Midwest, the ocean captivated me and had a tremendous impact on my childhood.

Family vacations to the Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands and Galapagos sparked a lifelong fascination with the sea. I vividly remember the first time I looked beneath the waves, gazing through my snorkel mask at the vibrant fish of a coral reef - I had entered an entirely new world! That moment ignited an insatiable curiosity about marine life, and I knew I needed to know more.

becoming a marine scientist

After high school, I attended Ferrum College in southern Virginia, marking the first of many transitions towards a warmer climate … and getting closer to the ocean.

I studied Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Tourism; diving head-first into field research techniques, the scientific method, and understanding the complexity of natural ecosystems.

It was here I also discovered SCUBA diving, which became a life-changing way to truly experience the underwater world.

Armed with my Bachelors degree and SCUBA certification, I embarked on a journey that took me around the world. My first job as a coral reef surveyor in the Bahamas was the catalyst that would plunge me into an incredible marine science career.

Over the next several years, I embarked on a series of ocean-based roles: research technician in Belize, divemaster in Fiji, marine naturalist in Australia and dive instructor in Hawai’i. Every role deepened my passion and understanding of the ocean, but I knew I needed to further my education to build a lasting career.

So, I took the leap and pursued a Master’s degree in Marine Sciences & Management at the University of Sydney, where I studied the affects of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change on carnivorous seastar populations in the Great Barrier Reef. Armed with new knowledge and a second degree, I returned to Hawai’i with a renewed commitment to ocean conservation.

founding kaimana conservation

My academic journey emphasized the importance of scientific discovery, but my professional experience revealed a crucial gap between the marine scientists making these discoveries and the general public who have the biggest impact on our oceans. I realized my calling wasn’t just in marine research – it was in ocean education! I wanted to make marine science exciting and approachable for everyone - galvanizing global action to conserve our ocean!

I transitioned into the role of Education Director at the Maui Ocean Center, while dedicating my spare time to sharing my passion for the ocean through digital content. Kaimana Conservation was born out of that vision - an online platform dedicated to bridging the gap between marine scientists and the public, making ocean conservation accessible, engaging and impactful for all.

Expanding the vision

In 2024, I made a big move from the tropical waters of Hawai’i to the temperate seas of Seattle, Washington - driven by a vision to expand Kaimana Conservation from a local initiative to a global movement.

While Hawaii’s unique marine ecosystems will always hold a special place in my heart, our new philosophy is to represent a "one-world ocean" in our content. Whether you live on an island, in a coastal city or far from the sea like I started – the health of our ocean impacts us all.

By broadening our focus, Kaimana Conservation aims to make ocean conservation accessible and relevant to a global audience. Our content is designed to inspire and inform, reminding everyone that no matter where we live, we all play a role in protecting our planet's precious marine environments.