2021 NMEA Elections—Candidates
PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE
Laura Diederick, District of Columbia
Laura has always been a collaborator and an organizer with a life-long passion for sharing her fascination with the natural world with others. As the lead for national partnerships, events, and external affairs for NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Communications, she works with a varied group of stakeholders to support the stewardship of our ocean resources and their habit. Prior to moving to DC in 2017, Laura spent 12 years at the Smithsonian Marine Station on the east coast of Florida where she led communications efforts, built strategic community partnerships, and collaborated with researchers on outreach and engagement. She was an active member of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association for 12 years, serving the organization for 10 years in various board roles. She is currently a member of MAMEA and life member of FMSEA.
A member of NMEA since 2006, Laura first joined organizational leadership in 2012 as the chair of the then newly formed Social Media Committee. She went on to lead the Communications Super Committee and co-chair the 2016 annual conference in Orlando, and has served on the Executive Committee for the past several years. She is currently an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and looks forward to supporting the growth of the committee's work. "NMEA has been an invaluable part of my personal and professional growth and I want that to be true for everyone who joins our organization," Laura said. "I welcome the opportunity to expand my role as a part of NMEA's leadership and to give back to a community I hold dear."
Treasurer Candidate
Jackie Takacs, Maryland
Jackie Takacs grew up the oldest of seven children on Long Island, NY, where she spent absolutely no time at the beach (seriously – who would take seven kids to the beach). It wasn’t until she moved to the Eastern Shore Maryland in her senior year of high school that outdoor time became more about the environment and less about an athletic field. It was also about that time when her father suggested – after watching an MPT special – that she should become a “fish farmer” when she grew up.
As all girls of that age do – she ignored her father and went on to University to pursue a degree in Education. That pursuit went down a different path a few years later after working at a restaurant with aquaculture ponds and summer interning with University Extension faculty. Extension education – specifically in marine sciences and fisheries - became her passion (she thanks her dad). She currently holds a BS in Life Sciences (emphasis Biology) and an MS in Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Sciences from University of Maryland College Park.
Professionally Jackie holds the position she coveted in her application to graduate school – to one day be a faculty member with the University of Maryland Extension – Sea Grant Program. She has held that position now for 25 years and currently holds the title of Watershed Restoration Specialist. In her position, Jackie works in cooperation with other UME Extension agents, regional and departmental specialists, and various local, state and federal agencies in organizing, conducting, and evaluating programs in watershed management and restoration, watershed and environmental sciences education, and aquaculture within the Southern Maryland Region, the state of Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Jackie was lured into NMEA by Tami Lunsford, who not only convinced her to take on the treasurer position in 2014 but also the finances of that year’s annual conference. It has been her pleasure to serve NMEA for the last 7 years as treasurer and values all the new colleagues and friends she has made as result of her association with NMEA.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES
Sandra Bilbo, Mississippi
Sandra Bilbo is the Director’s Assistant at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Mississippi. She performs organizational, planning and time management skills that helps keep daily operations at the Reserve functioning. She also assists with the Reserve’s field and sampling work, outreach events, and education programming. She leads Grand Bay NERR's social science efforts and education program evaluations. Sandra holds a Master of Science degree in Marine Resource Management with a Marine Education and Engagement focus from Oregon State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minors in Geology and Related Sciences from the University of South Alabama. Prior to working at Grand Bay NERR, she was an Aquarium Educator and Programs Evaluator at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport, OR), a technician at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Ocean Springs, MS), and Museum Explainer at the History Museum of Mobile (Mobile, AL). Her science interests include plankton studies and geologic history of biological sites, as well as education research and visitor studies. She attributes her passion for marine science from the amazing formal and informal marine educators she's encountered in her life. Her favorite pastimes include visual arts in various media, including nature and wedding photography, and visiting all the museums and science institutions while traveling. You've probably seen her with a camera at past NMEA conferences. Sandra has been a member of NMEA since 2016 and has been a member of NMEA’s Education Research and Evaluation Committee since 2017. Sandra is currently the President-Elect of the Southern Association of Marine Educators (SAME).
Bailey Dawson, Georgia
Bailey H. Dawson, Jr. currently serves as the Manager of Education Programs at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. Bailey brings with him over 12 years of educational experience in formal and informal institutions. Prior to becoming the Education Manager, Bailey also served as the Curriculum Specialist for Education Programs at Georgia Aquarium.
Bailey joined the Aquarium Team in 2019 after serving 10 years with the Georgia Public School System. He spent his entire 10-year career in the school system teaching and supporting students in Title 1 schools. Bailey served the school system in many capacities including teacher, mentor, coaching, as well as leadership. Bailey had educational experiences that span the entire K-12 platform and include all subject areas. Bailey currently serves as the Chairman of the School Governance Team at Dobbs Elementary in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bailey has been intricate in transforming Georgia Aquarium’s Educational Curriculum. He has worked tirelessly to align Georgia Aquarium’s Education Programs with National and State Standards. During his time at Georgia Aquarium, Bailey has been able to revitalize the department Educational Outreach Program which in include Georgia Aquarium’s new Education Outreach Traveling RV. Bailey was instrumental in establishing Georgia Aquarium first fully independent Education Vitural Academy. He has maintained a focus on providing the opportunity to explore STEM and STEAM based careers to youth in underrepresented communities, such as minority females, through the use of STEAM-related camps at Georgia Aquarium. With that focus, Bailey’s Education Department was able to obtain accreditation from Cognia as the 1st STEM Certified Aquarium in World.
Over the past year, Bailey has worked as a member of the NMEA Divisity, Equity, and Inclusion ad hoc Committee. He has collobarated with his fellow committee members to draft the initial Mission, Goals, and Action Plan of the DEI committee. Bailey is a native of Selma, Alabama. He enjoys watching sports, traveling, and spending time with his wife Ravelle and daughters Kennedy and Laila. He graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Bailey later went on to earn his Masters of Education in Instructional Technology and Ed.S in Educational Leadership both from Kennesaw State University.
Kathy Fuller, Maryland
Kathy Fuller is an Environmental Resource Teacher at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center in Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland. Her primary focus is teaching students about the importance of watersheds, how we are all connected to our environment, and what we can do to ensure our health and the planet’s health. Ms. Fuller holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Marine Biology with a Secondary Biology Teacher’s Certificate from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington and a Master of Arts in Teaching Biological Sciences degree from Miami University of Ohio through the Global Field Program. She joined the staff at the Schmidt Center after working in the non-profit environmental education field for over twenty years at organizations like the National Aquarium, Under the Sea, Horsehead Wetlands Center, and the North Carolina Aquariums. She also spends much of her free time kayaking, SCUBA diving, and volunteering for local environmental organizations like the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, and the National Aquarium. Ms. Fuller values professional organizations, and has been active in the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) for more than twenty years where she currently serves on the Board as Co-Chair of the Student Engagement Committee, Vice Chair of the Chapters Committee, and serves as one of the NMEA 2021 Virtual Conference Chairs. It is common to see Ms. Fuller at conferences and events hosted by these and other professional organizations since there are always new things to learn.
Lindsay Patterson, South Carolina
Lindsay Patterson is the Education Coordinator with the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), where she has worked since 2010. She describes her job as being a non-formal educator, teaching standard-based programs in Charleston County Parks. She teaches about various ecosystems such as salt marshes, the ocean, and maritime forests, along with cultural history programs. Her favorite part of the job are the kids! Lindsay says, “I love their energy and enthusiasm. Plus, it’s satisfying to help foster good environmental stewards.”
Lindsay graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2008. Prior to joining CCPRC, Lindsay was a naturalist for St. Christopher’s Barrier Island Environmental Education program from 2009-2010. Additionally, Lindsay is a South Carolina Coastal Master Naturalist and completed the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification program in South Carolina, where she serves on the advisory board. Lindsay is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation.
Lindsay served on the board of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association from 2014-2018 and is a SCMEA Past-President. Lindsay was a conference co-chair for the NMEA 2017 Annual Conference in Charleston, SC. She currently serves on the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) Board of Directors and is a co-chair of NMEA’s DEI ad-hoc Committee. During her time as a DEI co-chair, she has worked with NMEA members to create NMEA’s DEI position statement and action plan.
With over a decade of experience in non-formal education, Lindsay is passionate about environmental education and relishes in the opportunity to impact many young lives.
Leann Winn, New York
Leann Winn's experience as a Marine Educator began at Ripley's Aquarium while majoring in Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC). Leann found a passion for working in K-12 schools after being a Research Assistant with the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program (Miami, FL). Since then, Leann has been an educator for over 15 years in over 5 institutions and currently holds an Upper School Faculty position at Trevor Day School (Manhattan, NY). There, Leann instituted the Marine Science curriculum and is the Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a member of the Teacher Advisory Council for the NY Aquarium, Leann collaborates in the development and assessment of their educational programming.
Leann first presented at the 2015 NMEA annual conference while studying at Florida Tech (Melbourne, FL) and spoke on Incorporating Skills into the Ocean Literacy Scope & Sequence for grades 9-12. In 2016, Leann spoke at both the main and student conference on behalf of Sharks4kids, which since its inception, Leann has volunteered in developing curriculum and working to create new ocean advocates on a global scale giving talks virtually and in-person.
Leann returned home 4 years ago and since has represented the NYSMEA chapter and recently was awarded in recognition of being its lifeline keeping them going through virtual activities. Leann is a member of the DEI (name TBD) Committee, which they have been part of since the 2019 discussions. Leann is currently a co-chair for the 2021 annual conference being held virtually and the 2022 conference being offered in a hybrid style with the in-person hosted at Hofstra University (Long Island, NY).
The general membership of the organization is encouraged to submit other nominees for elected positions on the Board. Deadline for submissions is Monday, June 28th and each submission from the membership must include signatures of at least five (5) members of the organization in addition to the signature of the nominee. Submissions should be sent to Kate Achilles at kate.achilles@noaa.gov. The election will open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.