Judy is passionate about the oceans, and inspiring people to care for nature. Through her career she has combined these two passions through education and training, management, leadership and research.
After 30 amazing years at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) in various roles including Director of Education, uShaka Sea World Director, the first woman Chief Executive Officer of SAAMBR and Conservation Strategist, she is now an Executive at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, building the new People and Ocean Unit.
With the realization that without a better understanding of people we are unlikely to solve our conservation challenges, she shifted her research focus from fish to people. She holds degrees in Ichthyology, Business Administration and a PhD in Culture and Environmental Learning from the University of Queensland. Her research now focuses on environmental learning, behaviour change and human aspects of marine protected areas, in a uniquely African context.
She serves on numerous international boards and committees including President of the International Zoo Educators Association and Chair of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Committee, as well as serving on Expert Working Group No 10 of the Ocean Decade Vision 2030 and the IUCN Behaviour Change Task Team. She co-founded the thriving South African Marine and Coastal Educators Network over 20 years ago.
Judy has run many training courses for groups ranging from rural mussel collectors to marine protected area managers in various locations along the eastern seaboard of Africa. She also runs workshops locally and internationally on effective communication for conservation, social science research, and science communication. She led the creation of Marine Protected Areas Day and the African Penguin NotOnOurWatch campaign.
Human behaviour fascinates her and getting out into nature keeps her inspired. Supporting the next generation of capable and passionate educators and conservationists is now her focus.