Our Mission & Leadership

The mission of the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

Julie Packard, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of the aquarium's Board of Trustees, has directed the organization since it opened in 1984. Her commitment to advancing ocean conservation has been demonstrated through the aquarium and far beyond. She serves on numerous boards including the California Nature Conservancy, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. She was also a member of the Pew Oceans Commission, which in 2003 issued its recommendations for a comprehensive overhaul of national ocean policy. Ms. Packard was 1998 recipient of the Audubon Medal for Conservation, and 2004 recipient of the Ted Danson Ocean Hero Award from Oceana, a leading ocean conservation organization.

James Hekkers, Managing Director
Hank Armstrong, Vice President of Communications
Charlie Aslanian, Vice President of Facilities Operations
Cristina Fekeci, Chief Development Officer
Randy Hamilton, Vice President of Husbandry
Don Hughes, Vice President of Exhibitions
Teresa Merry, Vice President of Human Resources
Ed Prohaska, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Enterprise Development
Mike Sutton, Vice President & Director of Center for the Future of the Oceans
Cynthia Vernon, Vice President of Education, Guest, and Research Programs