Originally from the Seattle area, I was lucky to be surrounded by both the mountains and the ocean. I grew up hiking and skiing in the Cascades while also searching the PNW coastline for creatures in the tide pools and looking for whales in the distance. My life has been a constant battle of choosing between the mountains and the ocean, but the mountains won (temporarily) when I went to study Ecology and Anthropology at Colorado State University. My research centered around climate change communication strategies and sustainability. My studies took me to SFS Costa Rica to investigate the implications of ecotourism and so-called sustainable development.

After graduating, I felt the need to be by the ocean and moved back to Seattle. Somehow, I ended up in a marketing job, and I tried the corporate life for a few years until I decided to uproot myself and dive headfirst into marine conservation. I spent a few years traveling and scuba diving all over Southeast Asia/Oceana and earned my SSI Divemaster while completing a marine conservation internship with Indo Ocean Project in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. There I took part in roving surveys, BRUV drops, and benthic surveys and was responsible for data analysis and communications to support the development of a marine protected area. I also participated in coral watch, maintenance, and propagation. I enjoy underwater photography/videography and love to use these skills to promote marine research and science communications.

When I’m not underwater, I like to be on top of mountains, and am a seasoned backcountry skier, mountaineer, and rock climber. When there’s no mountains however, I’ll happily settle for an iced coffee on the beach with a nice book.