Meredith Ann Epp

About me

I was born/grew up in: Boulder, Colorado, USA

I now live in: Sydney, NSW, Australia

I completed my training/education at: I did my undergraduate degree in communications and political science, then worked for a PR agency for 4 years. I always loved the ocean and had volunteered all over the world doing marine programs. So I applied to a Master's program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California. I graduated in 2014 from the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation.

What I do at work

I work at a small not for profit, with only eight other people in our office. We look after Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. As a result we do lots of different things everyday. We also have co-workers in London and all over the world. As a result, being flexible and a good communicator is important.

My favorite days are when we get to go out to fisheries. I've done this in Western and South Australia. While there we film and interview the fishermen and women. Other times we are in the board rooms of big retailers and brands or presenting to the government on the latest fisheries science. My main focus is communicating the science and operations of our sustainable fishing program. I'm always finding creative ways to make people care about our oceans.

My career path is

After high school, I did an undergraduate degree in communications and political science. Then I worked for a PR agency for 4 years. But I did not feel fulfilled. 

I always loved the ocean and had volunteered all over the world doing marine programs. I decided to learn more about the ocean. I applied to a Master's program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California. I graduated with a master’s degree in Oceanography from the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. 

To get where I am today, I worked hard and followed my heart. I reached out to anyone I thought was doing interesting work. Going to graduate school for a degree that involved science was a challenge. This is true because I had always avoided science before. But I was passionate about it, and I just couldn't get enough. I've moved across the world for jobs.  I've gone with my gut, and it has paid off.

I am motivated by

Knowing I make a difference and that I'm following my passion. I love learning new communications techniques especially with so much happening in the digital space. But I love getting out and meeting the fishers because they love the ocean and know it so well. The best feeling is salt spray on your face at dawn.

How I affect peoples’ lives

No ocean, no life, no blue, no green! I always knew I loved the ocean. Learning the science behind why it is vital to keep them healthy, gave me the knowledge I needed to go in and speak intelligently with powerful people. The organisation I work for now empowers seafood shoppers to make environmentally friendly choices. I love that we have a positive impact and solution to a huge problem.

Outside of work I

Outside of work I love surfing, snorkelling, hiking, travelling, going out dancing or to the beach with friends. I'm fortunate to travel for work a good amount so I'll explore different places and cultures whenever I can. I also volunteer with an organisation called Plastic Free July. They help reduce single use plastics from getting in our ocean.

My advice to others

Keep talking to people that do interesting things, follow what makes your heartbeat