Debborah Luke
Senior Vice President of Conservation
The Florida Aquarium
Debborah Luke, PhD, serves as senior vice president of conservation at The Florida Aquarium, overseeing its conservation efforts locally and internationally. With more than 30 years’ experience in marine and environmental conservation, she has led programmes including the Aquarium’s Coral Breeding and Restoration programme and its Sea Turtle Conservation programme.
One nominator said: "As a scientist, she applies a grounded, data-driven approach in the Aquarium’s science initiatives, conservation field programs, sustainable business practices, and public messaging.
"She is a proven collaborator whose reach extends beyond the Aquarium to partnering organisations around the globe."
Before joining The Florida Aquarium, Luke served as senior vice president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for nearly a decade. During her time there, she supported the formation and launch of SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), an initiative that brings zoos and aquariums together to address conservation challenges.
Luke also leads the pioneering partnership between The Florida Aquarium and Tampa Electric (TECO) at the Florida Conservation and Technology Center in Apollo Beach. The collaboration, featured in blooloop, brings together conservation and industry expertise, supporting marine research and conservation through the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center and Coral Conservation and Research Center.
