Sherry has 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, working with coastal communities to advance ocean health and sustainability. Since joining the Western Flyer Foundation as its first Executive Director in July 2022, she has guided the organization’s strategic vision, overseeing planning, fundraising, program development, and community outreach to fulfill its mission of merging science and art aboard the iconic Western Flyer.
Prior to this, Sherry served as the founding executive director of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, where she championed sustainable fisheries and supported local fishing communities. She also worked as a consultant for organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, and the California Fisheries Fund, focusing on innovative solutions for ocean conservation. Earlier in her career, Sherry was a program manager at the Coral Reef Alliance, where she designed and led international education and conservation initiatives in locations including Fiji, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
Born and raised in London, Ontario, Canada, Sherry holds an MA in Anthropology and International Development from the University of Guelph and a BA in Anthropology from McMaster University. Now based in Pacific Grove, she lives with her two teenage sons and enjoys exploring the coastline that has been the backdrop to her life’s work.