National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, called Her Deepness by the New Yorker and the New York Times, Living Legend by the Library of Congress, and first Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine, is an oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist, government official, and director for corporate and non-profit organizations including the Kerr McGee Corporation, Dresser Industries, Oryx Energy, the Aspen Institute, the Conservation Fund, American Rivers, Mote Marine Laboratory, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Rutgers Institute for Marine Science, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and Ocean Futures.

Formerly Chief Scientist of NOAA, Dr. Earle is the Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, Inc. (DOER), Founder of the Sylvia Earle Alliance (S.E.A.) / Mission Blue, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute, inspiration for the ocean in Google Earth, leader of the NGS Sustainable Seas Expeditions, and the subject of the 2014 Netflix film, Mission Blue. She has a B.S. degree from Florida State University, M.S. and PhD. from Duke University, 27 honorary degrees and has authored more than 200 scientific, technical and popular publications including 13 books (most recently Blue Hope in 2014), lectured in more than 90 countries, and appeared in hundreds of radio and television productions.

She has led more than 100 expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater including leading the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970, participating in ten saturation dives, most recently in July 2012, and setting a record for solo diving in 1,000 meters depth. Her research concerns marine ecosystems with special reference to exploration, conservation and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments.

Her special focus is on developing a global network of areas in the Ocean, “Hope Spots,” to safeguard the living systems that provide the underpinnings of global processes, from maintaining biodiversity and yielding basic life support services to providing stability and resiliency in response to accelerating climate change.

Her more than 100 national and international honors include the 2013 National Geographic Hubbard Medal, 2011 Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Medal, 2011 Medal of Honor from the Dominican Republic, 2009 TED Prize, Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark, Australia’s International Banksia Award, Italy’s Artiglio Award, the International Seakeepers Award, the International Women’s Forum, the National Women’s Hall of Fame, UNEP 2014 Champion of the Earth, 2014 Glamour Woman of the Year, Academy of Achievement, Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year, UN Global 500, and medals from the Explorers Club, the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, Lindbergh Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Sigma Xi, Barnard College, and the Society of Women Geographers.

As Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Sylvia Earle Alliance / Mission Blue, Deb is responsible for strategic planning and forming new alliance relationships to generate cooperative programs and projects to increase ocean conservation. She works with SEA's Executive Director, Board of Directors, partners and staff to ensure that results and outcomes are in accordance with the organization's mission and goals. 

Deb joined the Sylvia Earle Alliance in 2010 and served as Director of Communications for six years, developing communication strategies to broaden the impact of Mission Blue’s programs and partnerships, after which she served as Chief Operating Officer. She has also served as Board secretary for five years.

Deb’s life and professional career have centered on the ocean, from teaching scuba diving to working in the yachting industry. She has been a marketing consultant for world-class sailing races and has sailed her own yacht in Europe, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. When not immersed in Mission Blue business and ocean advocacy, Deb tends her organic vegetable garden and plans where her next scuba diving vacation will take her. Currently, Deb lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and their border collie, Sophie.

Charlotte’s fascination with sea life began when she was in elementary school. She loved to sneak down to a quarry and lake near her home to collect what she learned were fossils. These giant white chalky versions were really big. This was her personal introduction to the history of the ocean and modern crustaceans — the brachiopods, clams, snails, and related organisms we know today. 

Her professional life was transformed by working in Washington, D.C. in the Ford Administration with US territories – all of which were islands. There she began a 40-year interest in the UN Convention on Law of the Sea that led to a long string of projects relating to the economic, social, legal, oceanographic and technological aspect of oceans and islands. She worked in many locations in the Pacific region and other regions and continues to be interested in issues of effective management, oceanographic exploration, mapping and research. She believes emerging technologies and approaches needed in the 21st Century coupled with dispelling ignorance can reverse the tide for our oceans. 

Joining Dr. Sylvia Earle and others in 2008, she seeks to facilitate, collaborate, support and fund ocean exploration, education, mapping, policy advocacy and whatever moves positive action on ocean health, restoration and policy. She has worked with Dr. Earle in many capacities and is currently the Mission Blue Director of Engagement working with staff, partners and her personal network of friends to protect and restore the “Blue.” 

Caro Dratva’s greatest passion is the ocean. After falling in love with the sea as an avid scuba diver, she decided to leave the development, marketing, and graphic design roles in a major San Francisco architectural firm to completely dedicate her life to advocating for the ocean. She volunteers for several organizations such as The Marine Mammal Center, and she is also a member of Reef Check California, and GUE (Global Underwater Explorers). She received her Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University, and studied Psychology at Stanford University. She pursued her passion for ocean exploration by taking Marine Biology courses at City College of San Francisco. She enjoys her free time scuba diving, photographing underwater critters, and land-based nature. She is also an avid surfer, and looks forward to sailing, paddle boarding, or kayaking, when the winds visit beautiful San Francisco & Monterey Bays.