In this inspiring interview, Kimberly Ray, the visionary founder and CEO of the Marine Conservation Network, shares her journey of turning a deep passion for ocean preservation into a conservation organization. As a prominent advocate for marine life and sustainability, Kimberly sheds light on her path to founding the Marine Conservation Network, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she employed to make a significant impact on ocean conservation.

Throughout the conversation, Kimberly emphasizes the importance of persistence, creativity, and community engagement in creating an impactful conservation initiative. In addition to recounting her story, Kimberly offers actionable advice for aspiring environmental leaders. She encourages individuals to start small but think big, outlining ways to leverage local resources and gain credibility within their communities. Her insights on aligning personal passion with environmental goals provide valuable guidance for anyone interested in making a difference in the world of conservation.

A few highlights of her lessons learned can be found here:​

1. Test your concept out; check if there is a need for it. 
2. Take your time to grow and build your org; better slow and steady. 
3. Take your time to bring on board the right people. 
4. Surround yourself with positive people that have the same passion and mindset as you do.
5. To motivate you when things get difficult: Take a break and reflect on what happened in the past, how far you've come already.