Emerging Leaders Council

Summary

Emerging Leaders Council Volunteer

Conservation through research, education, and field action.

Reef Expeditions, a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) conservation nonprofit, is seeking motivated individuals to join our Emerging Leaders Council.

The Emerging Leaders Council gives participants an opportunity to become directly involved in conservation leadership, environmental education, citizen science, nonprofit development, communications, community engagement, and future field research opportunities.

Council members will have the opportunity to help shape Reef Expeditions programs and initiatives, contribute ideas to conservation and community projects, support outreach and educational efforts, and gain experience working with an established nonprofit conservation organization.

Reef Expeditions has a strong history of combining conservation with hands-on field experience. University students participating with our organization in 2023 and 2025 took part directly in coral reef research expeditions, working alongside our team in reef environments, helping gather field observations and data, learning how field research is organized and conducted, and gaining firsthand exposure to marine conservation and scientific research.

Our Board of Directors includes experienced conservation scientists and educators, including Miami University Professors Emeriti Dr. Hays Cummins and Dr. Mark Boardman. Dr. Cummins has extensive experience in coral reef ecology, tropical marine ecology, ecological restoration, climatology, and international field education. Dr. Boardman has extensive experience in oceanography, global climate change, coral reef systems, and tropical field education.

We are especially interested in individuals with interests or skills in areas such as biology, zoology, environmental science, sustainability, conservation, communications, marketing, fundraising, nonprofit management, education, photography/video, social media, or community engagement.

This is a volunteer leadership opportunity designed for people who want to contribute their skills while gaining meaningful experience in conservation and nonprofit leadership.

To Apply: Complete the Reef Expeditions Emerging Leaders Council application by September 15, 2026.

Job Description

Emerging Leaders Council Volunteer

Conservation through research, education, and field action.

Reef Expeditions, a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) conservation nonprofit, is seeking motivated individuals to join our Emerging Leaders Council.

The Emerging Leaders Council gives participants an opportunity to become directly involved in conservation leadership, environmental education, citizen science, nonprofit development, communications, community engagement, and future field research opportunities.

Council members will have the opportunity to help shape Reef Expeditions programs and initiatives, contribute ideas to conservation and community projects, support outreach and educational efforts, and gain experience working with an established nonprofit conservation organization.

Reef Expeditions has a strong history of combining conservation with hands-on field experience. University students participating with our organization in 2023 and 2025 took part directly in coral reef research expeditions, working alongside our team in reef environments, helping gather field observations and data, learning how field research is organized and conducted, and gaining firsthand exposure to marine conservation and scientific research.

Our Board of Directors includes experienced conservation scientists and educators, including Miami University Professors Emeriti Dr. Hays Cummins and Dr. Mark Boardman. Dr. Cummins has extensive experience in coral reef ecology, tropical marine ecology, ecological restoration, climatology, and international field education. Dr. Boardman has extensive experience in oceanography, global climate change, coral reef systems, and tropical field education.

We are especially interested in individuals with interests or skills in areas such as biology, zoology, environmental science, sustainability, conservation, communications, marketing, fundraising, nonprofit management, education, photography/video, social media, or community engagement.

This is a volunteer leadership opportunity designed for people who want to contribute their skills while gaining meaningful experience in conservation and nonprofit leadership.

To Apply: Complete the Reef Expeditions Emerging Leaders Council application by September 15, 2026.