Ocean Institute Distinguished Speaker Series

The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Our speakers are ocean researchers, authors, artists, athletes, and many more respected professionals who support our mission of ocean education and conservation. 

Distinguished Speaker: Susan Sirota
Join Deputy Director of the National Maritime Historical Society Susan Sirota for an engaging exploration of the West Coast maritime image—where it came from, how it has been shaped, and why it matters now more than ever. Drawing on decades of leadership in maritime history, education, and nonprofit organizations, Ms. Sirota examines how today’s stewards and interpreters of maritime identity translate science, history, and lived experience for the public. This talk explores the challenges these organizations have faced over time, the pressures they encounter in an era of environmental and cultural change, and how a clear sense of purpose, storytelling, and public trust can help navigate an uncertain future.

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