Cherie Kozak

Cherie’s upbringing was deeply influenced by her father, an exhibit designer at a natural
history museum, instilling in her a profound fascination with our planet and the rich
diversity of the seen and rarely seen wonders of the natural world.
Travel and exploration also shaped Cherie’s formative years, as she and her family
embarked on camping adventures across forty-eight states and traveled to Mexico and
Europe before her high school graduation. Venice, Florida, held a special place in her
heart due to annual visits to her grandparents, which is where an inescapable draw
toward the ocean was born. Equipped with swim fins, mask, and snorkel, she soon
found a whole new world of life below the waves. The diversity of these experiences
fostered a heartfelt appreciation for nature and the importance of conservation and
environmental stewardship.

Fast-forward a couple of decades, Cherie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and
brings a wealth of experience as an Administrative and Executive Assistant, and she is
dedicated to developing processes that support and streamline business and
administrative practices. Cherie is excited to join the team at Ocean First Institute and to
contribute to their mission of ocean conservation through research and education.