Ocean Threads

From a young age, Liberty Boyd was drawn to the ocean, the reef was just offshore from her Florida hometown which became her first underwater classroom. Filled with curiosity, fish, and the quiet magic of the sea. Today, that early spark has grown into a full-fledged career as a marine biologist and postdoctoral research fellow at Florida Atlantic University, where she studies the conservation biology and movement ecology of marine megafauna—especially sea turtles.

She’s a marine scientist through and through, with a focus on studying shark aggregations within marine protected areas in Baja California Sur. She also remotely analyzes shark movement data for a nonprofit organization, and works as a shark safety diver, guiding snorkeling excursions with pelagic sharks. What makes Katy stand out isn’t just her credentials (which are seriously impressive) it’s her grounded, generous presence her dedication to science, conservation, and inclusion. We asked her to share more about her journey.

Carlee is one of those people wearing about a million hats a Jill of all trades. She’s a marine biologist specializing in the effects of tourism on sharks, an environmental educator taking students on field trips around Florida, the Director of Communications and co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), a freelance science communicator, and yep — a children’s book author too!

Lindsey Smith’s handmade bikinis have become iconic on Baja beaches and beyond. What started as a DIY project for a broke surf bum has grown into Acuarela Swimwear—a sustainable, made-to-order brand creating custom pieces for everyBODY. Now based in Santa Cruz, Lindsey balances motherhood with designing swimwear that reflects her love for the ocean, surfing, and slow fashion.

A former world-class kiteboarder and now a full-time watercolor artist, Issy has spent most of her life connected to the ocean. Whether she’s out surfing her local break or painting pieces in her studio, water is at the center of everything she does. Her story is one of independence, reinvention, and finding freedom through both movement and art.