Shannon Rivard will update chamber members on programs that benefit island guests and resident. -COURTESY PHOTO
SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) will sponsor the Wednesday, March 18, SanCap Chamber business luncheon featuring guest speaker Shannon Rivard, director of Sanibel Sea School. SCCF Coastal Watch director Kealy Pfau will join her. The meeting will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel Island.
“Shannon will continue our State of the Islands series with a State of Sanibel Sea School update, and Kealy will speak about SCCF voluntourism efforts,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “Both SCCF programs provide amazing, unique opportunities for resort partners’ guests and other island businesses that further and strengthen the islands’ reputation for conservation.”
Rivard leads a team of educators at SCCF’s Sanibel Sea School, developing hands-on curriculum and fostering community partnerships to further its mission of improving the ocean’s future one person at a time. Through courses and camps, the school helps to create meaningful relationships between people, marine life, and the ocean.
With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science and Biology and a Master of Professional Science Degree in Marine Conservation from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Rivard has built a career centered around marine conservation and education.
Kealy McNeal will update chamber members on programs that benefit island guests and residents. -COURTESY PHOTO
She joined Sanibel Sea School in 2017 as a marine science educator, teaching hands-on, field-based marine science courses to a diverse audience. Her leadership skills and passion for the school’s mission and innovative teaching style led to her current role as director.
Kealy attended the University of Tampa, where she studied environmental and marine science, then worked for Audubon, monitoring and protecting nesting shorebirds on beaches in Florida and Massachusetts.
She took the reins as conservation initiative coordinator in October 2020 and serves as the liaison between SCCF and the Coastal Watch Advisory Committee to plan and execute conservation initiatives on Sanibel and Captiva.
The SanCap Chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss business topics relevant to the membership. SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $35.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Payment is due upon registration.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.