Aquatic Futures Foundation (AFF) - Marketing Specialist & Program Coordinator

The Aquatic Futures Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a dedicated collective of marine science enthusiasts committed to creating a sustainable future for the ocean.
Powered by the Bay Foundation, Aquatic Futures Foundation mission is to empower the next generation of ocean stewards. AFF offers a collection of training programs that puts students through the real world experience of ocean science. From scientific & research dive practices, to introducing students to an expert collection of mentors, and a community of ocean relationships.
Offering a unique experience for future ocean stewards to gain the skills and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact and create innovative solutions for protecting coastlines and communities.

Learn More - https://www.aquaticfuturesfoundation.org/

As Marketing Specialist for Aquatic Futures Foundation, I developed the AFF storytelling framework, defining how we communicate, who we are, what we do, and why it matters. From shaping our branding to building digital presence and social media strategies, I worked to share AFF's mission of advancing ocean science, conservation, and exploration in a way that connects with audiences. The focus was on creating authentic, mission driven content that highlighted our programs, field expeditions, and community events, helping establish AFF as a trusted voice in marine science, training, and community building.

Goals:
As AFF's first year of operation, our goal was to expand and create awareness for the upcoming programming, while also creating a community of ocean enthusiast passionate to join and support the mission.

Approach & Duties:
- Social Media Management: Instagram, Facebook, BeeHiiv & LinkedIn
- Content Creation
- Building branding strategies based on each release of programming
- Program Storytelling: Entertainment & Statistics

AFF’s content strategy focuses on bringing our programs to life. Sharing the excitement, growth, and community that come with every experience. Through interactive posts and storytelling; I highlight collaborations with mentors, community leaders, and partners who help build the foundation’s mission. Each story is crafted to showcase the skills being developed and the lasting impact these experiences have on participants and the conversations that follow.

Below you will see the sum of my time with AFF. Growing AFF’s Instagram audience to 1.1K followers in just eight months (Feb–Oct), maintaining steady growth with an average of 110 new followers per month. Capturing and creating content to develop and led AFF’s digital campaign, generating 258.8K total views across platforms. This increase in visibility directly boosted program engagement: the first application cycle received 33 submissions, while the next cycle (after I took over content, marketing, and application management) - reached 110 applications in under one month, setting a new record for the organization.