I have been a marine biologist for 16 years working with a variety of animals from nudibranchs to dolphins. For the last 8 years I was the head of the Animal Care Department at a wildlife rescue center in Southern California where I developed as lifesaving wetsuit to help injured sea turtles and improved the propagation breeding program for the endangered light footed Ridgway's rails. I have led and developed workshops for the International Sea Turtle Symposium and was the lead chair for organizing the West Coast Sea Turtle Symposium. While I have loved my time in animal care, I have started a career change to develop my skills in the realm of advocacy and policy to further conserve wild habitats for future generations.