I’ve sailed over 20,000 nautical miles to date, gaining extensive experience navigating Southeast Alaska, British Columbia (including Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island), Baja California, the Sea of Cortez, Hawai’i, and the open Pacific Ocean. 

My expertise in these regions is also enriched by my role as an expedition staff member on National Geographic ships, where I serve as an expert Naturalist in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

I graduated from Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology Program with a Marine Mechanical Technician certificate in 2022. I’m currently an ABYC Certified Technician in Marine Diesel Engines and Marine Systems, as well as Yamaha ITOS certified. 

I’ve also worked as an instructor for Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology Program. Known for my meticulous approach to mechanics and boat systems, I’ve produced some of the most detailed pre-purchase mechanical surveys available. 

I was raised in upstate New York, where I spent my free time fishing the Finger Lakes, tinkering with boats, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. I worked as a hunting guide in the Allagash wilderness of northern Maine and earned a degree in Fisheries Science from the State University of New York. 

Over the next 15 years, I worked as a fisheries biologist and motorboat operator instructor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One of my most memorable projects involved being dropped by helicopter into the Grand Canyon for three-week endangered fish sampling trips.

An avid freediver and spearfisherman, I’ve traveled the world pursuing my passion for the sport. I’ve competed in the U.S. Spearfishing Nationals and completed spearfishing expeditions in Thailand, Mexico, and Hawaii. I hold two spearfishing records in Arizona and am determined to spearfish in every ocean on the planet. 

My love for fish has seamlessly translated into offshore sailing, where I’ve become adept at keeping the fridge stocked with mahi mahi, tuna, rockfish, halibut, lingcod, and most recently, salmon. In fact, with advice from an expedition member who’s a professional fishing guide, I’ve learned to catch salmon while under sail.

As a USCG-licensed Master, I’ve sailed over 20,000 offshore miles, including routes from Mexico to Hawai’i, Alaska, and British Columbia, with multiple circumnavigations of Vancouver Island and visits to Haida Gwaii. Additionally, I’ve logged 10,000 nm aboard National Geographic ships, where I enjoy working as an Expedition Naturalist, Undersea Specialist, and Certified Field Educator in Alaska, British Columbia, and the Pacific Northwest. My sailing expertise goes beyond just reaching a destination—it’s about building confidence in every expedition member, whether they’re learning to sail offshore for the first time or mastering the art of organizing a galley.

My focus is on empowering cruisers with hands-on, practical knowledge of boat maintenance, especially electrical and electronics systems and logistics planning. After recently overcoming my own fear of electricity, I became an ABYC Certified Marine Electrical Technician and NMEA Advanced Marine Electronics Installer and was a 2022 NMEA scholarship winner. I’m dedicated to teaching others, particularly women, how to maintain their cruising vessels with confidence.

My mission is to ensure every expedition experience as educational and empowering as it is adventurous. I want to guide you through transformative experiences on the water that blend adventure, education, and hands-on learning in a way that encourages individual growth and teamwork. One of my life goals is to meet every species of whale in every ocean on the planet. There are about 94 currently recognized species and so far I’ve got 17!

For over two decades, I’ve been teaching and leading others, first as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response Instructor in Monterey Bay and abroad in Fiji, South Africa, and the Solomon Islands. My passion for teaching extends beyond just the technical skills of sailing—it’s about building confidence in every crew member, empowering them to take on new challenges. I’ve led expeditions in remote environments, from the Pacific Northwest to the South Pacific, training crews to navigate both above and below the water’s surface.

Growing up in Sonoma County, California my passion for the ocean began early and grew into a career in marine biology. With a B.S. in Marine Biology and an M.S. in Cave Biology, my academic background fueled my deep understanding of marine ecosystems, which I bring to every expedition. As a biologist with the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, I specialized in developing science programs for endangered species, and I’ve authored 9 peer-reviewed journal articles. In 2018, I was honored with the USFWS Endangered Species Champion Award.