What first drew you to science, fisheries, or the ocean?
My dad was the one who taught me to love the ocean, when I was a kid, we would go out to the mangrove forest, and I was always so mesmerized by all the life in there
What part of your work makes you feel proud or hopeful?
When I was growing up in a coastal community, it felt almost impossible to imagine dedicating my life to restoring mangroves—to believe that caring for nature could be a real career. Conservation felt like a passion, not a viable path. Today, when I see the girls who are part of our mangrove restoration project, I feel deeply proud and hopeful. They are growing up seeing women restoring ecosystems, leading fieldwork, and building livelihoods around conservation. They are growing up knowing that marine science, environmental restoration, and caring for nature are valid futures. I truly believe that some of these girls will one day become women working in marine science and coastal conservation—and that shift in what feels possible is what keeps me going.
What support, opportunities, or conditions have helped you (or others) succeed despite these challenges?
The support of other women has been vital in continuing our work, creating a community that is always there to support each other
What is one way organizations like GCFI could help women and girls feel more welcome, supported, or visible in fisheries and marine science?
Prioritizing funding for projects with a strong gender perspective—especially those that place women in leadership roles. Too often, women are included as participants to “tick a box,” without real decision-making power or visibility.
