Valerie Brown

Valerie Brown started working for the Pacific Islands Regional Office in Guam in 2005.  Over the years, she has worked on a wide range of projects from coral reef monitoring and assessment to essential fish habitat consultations and the development of a community coral reef monitoring program. As one of the leads for the Manell-Geus Habitat Focus Area, she used all of that experience to guide the ridge to reef management efforts, hoping to improve habitat for fish while also building resilience in the human community.

She recently took a position as a research coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. So far, her adventures south of the equator have included diving the beautiful reefs in Fagatele Bay, watching humpback whales breach, scrambling up waterfalls, and meeting lots of interesting new people.