Ocean Explorers Expeditions are led by REEF education staff who are experts in marine conservation and citizen science. These individuals are passionate about diving and teaching others about the ocean. Below you can read more about each leader.
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Madalyn Mussey
Madalyn - more commonly known as "Moose" - is the Education and Outreach Program Manager at REEF. She is responsible for planning and executing informal education and training programming. Programs that she oversees include the Ocean Explorers Expeditions, Discovery Programs, Summer Camp, and Online Learning Programs, Invasive Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshops, and local outreach events. Madalyn is an expert-level surveyor for the Tropical Western Atlantic and has also completed surveys in the Tropical Eastern Pacific region. She first came to REEF in the spring of 2019 as a Marine Conservation Intern and following the end of her internship she quickly transitioned into the Lead Intern for the Invasive Species Program before becoming part of the staff in November 2019. She has had many opportunities to share her interest in conservation through education at SeaWorld Orlando, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and the University of Missouri Adventure Club. Managing REEF’s Education and Outreach Programs allows Madalyn to apply her dedication and experience in hands-on conservation education to give those around her an appreciation for the natural world and instill a long-lasting devotion towards marine conservation.
Hilary Penner
Hilary is REEF's Education and Conservation Programs Manager. She works to develop new community partnerships, create new youth learning opportunities, and engage REEF members to support REEF’s ocean conservation mission. Hilary joined the staff in 2021 but had previously been involved with REEF for over two decades as a volunteer. Her first REEF Field Survey Trip was to Bimini in 1996 and she has been engaged with REEF ever since. A previous South Florida resident, she worked at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida with sea turtles and volunteered at REEF HQ in its early days. When she moved to Colorado to be closer to family, she started an inland ocean education business. Before joining REEF staff, she taught middle school science for 7 years and has an M.ED in Environmental Education. She lives in the mountains south of Denver with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite fish is the cherubfish.