Abby Graefe

Abby Graefe

Laboratory Technician at the Lake Michigan Biological Station

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location of Abby GraefeChicago, Illinois, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Partnership Manager at Student Conservation Association

  • Education

    • University of Miami

      2004 - 2008
      BS Marine Science and Biology

      Double major (marine science and biology) with chemistry minorSenior Thesis: "Eastern Pacific mollusk abundance, biomass, and diversity in 'Pocillopora' rubble: temporal and seasonal trends"

    • James Cook University

      2007 - 2007
      Study Abroad for Marine Science
    • James Madison University

      2009 - 2010
      MS Integrated Science and Technology

      Dual Degree Program with the University of Malta

    • L-Università ta' Malta

      2009 - 2010
      MSc Sustainable Environmental Resources Management

      Thesis: "Assessing the Potential Benefits of Learning about Environmental Issues through a Systems Thinking Pedagogy"

  • Experience

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      May 2005 - Aug 2005
      Laboratory Technician at the Lake Michigan Biological Station

      • Assisted resident scientists and graduate students with field work on Lake Michigan and with processing field samples in the lab. Most of the research involved yellow perch and benthic invertebrates.

    • University of Miami

      Oct 2005 - May 2008
      Laboratory Manager & Research Assistant

      • Managed Dr. Peter W. Glynn’s NSF-sponsored study on eastern Pacific coral reefs, with a special focus on mollusk diversity and identification.

    • Alaska SeaLife Center

      May 2006 - Aug 2006
      Harbor Seal Research Intern

      • Completed continuous behavioral observations and population counts of harbor seals in Aialik Bay using a remote video operation system.

    • Brookfield Zoo

      May 2008 - Aug 2009
      Summer Camp Instructor

      • Educated youth, ages 4-13, in zoology, environmental stewardship, and conservation.

    • United States Navy

      Feb 2011 - Jan 2012
      NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy

      • Managed four federal interagency working groups of 20+ members each tasked to implement the National Ocean Policy (NOP), focusing on the Arctic, and federal ocean and coastal infrastructure. • Contributed to the Federal Oceanographic Fleet Status Report and two NOP Strategic Action Plans: “Changing Conditions in the Arctic” and “Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Observations, Mapping, & Infrastructure.”• Efficiently staffed and co-lead various interagency meetings and working groups.• Solely represented the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy/DOD/Joint Chiefs of Staff at various appointments.Contributed to: "Federal Oceanographic Fleet Status Report" and "National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan" (see below) Show less

    • National Science Foundation

      Mar 2012 - Jul 2012
      Independent Contractor - Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC)

      Public Review Manager and Editor for the “Arctic Research Plan: FY 2013-2017” • Received and organized public comments for the Artic Research Plan during the public commenting period.• Assisted lead authors with the consideration and incorporation of public response into their drafts. • Compiled all edits from the nine lead- and numerous co-authors into one cohesive document.• Accurately edited and formatted the penultimate draft of the nine-chapter, 80-page Arctic Research Plan. Show less

    • Self-Employed

      May 2014 - now
      Figure Skating Instructor

      US Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist – Gold Medals in "Moves in the Field" and "Free Skating"• Coach private and group lessons to youth and adult figure skaters and hockey players.• Train for national and international US Figure Skating and International Skating Union adult competitions.

    • Student Conservation Association

      Jul 2016 - now

      • Manage a large portfolio (9-state region) of fee-for-service funders (primarily federal and state land management agencies and conservation non-profits) to support SCA’s national and regional revenue objectives. • Plan and conduct site visits to cultivate new and manage and expand existing partnerships.• Serve as point-of-contact for numerous partners to help guide and manage program requests and to provide support while programs are in the field. • Utilize Salesforce CRM to input and track all partnership development opportunities, activities, and events. Show less • Manage a large portfolio of fee-for-service funders (primarily federal and state land management agencies and conservation non-profits) to support SCA’s mission of building the next generation of conservation leaders. • Plan and conduct site visits to cultivate new and manage and expand existing partnerships.• Serve as point-of-contact for numerous partners to help guide and manage program requests and to provide support while programs are in the field. • Utilize Salesforce CRM to input and track all partnership development opportunities, activities, and events. Show less • Led an 18-month grant-funded nationwide pilot program through all stages of development and program execution, from initial lead generation through to program evaluation. • Facilitated a cross-department working group of ten members to develop and execute the program. • Developed, with assistance from Marking Department, the marketing strategy and materials, including a website and a marketing document portfolio. • As lead staff member, successfully fielded two programs in summer 2017, placing 17 students and three chaperones in the field for a total of three weeks of conservation service work on public lands. Show less

      • Partnerships Manager

        Feb 2019 - now
      • Partnerships Coordinator

        May 2013 - Feb 2019
      • Project Manager

        Jul 2016 - Jan 2018
  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Master Scuba Diver

      PADI
      Jul 2003
  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      Distinction University of Malta Nov 2010 Only received by 4 of the 22 students in the Sustainable Environmental Resources Management program
    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      Cum Laude University of Miami May 2008
    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      Departmental Honors University of Miami May 2008
    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      General Honors University of Miami May 2008
    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      Outstanding Marine Science Student Award Marine and Atmospheric Science Program May 2008 Given to the top Marine Science graduate
    • Awarded to Abby Graefe
      Phi Beta Kappa University of MIami 2007
  • Volunteer Experience

    • Team Mentor

      Issued by National Ocean Science Bowl on Feb 2011
      National Ocean Science BowlAssociated with Abby Graefe
    • Volunteer at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center, Phuket, Thailand

      Issued by International Student Volunteers on Jun 2007
      International Student VolunteersAssociated with Abby Graefe
    • Volunteer - Costa Rican Leatherback Sea Turtles

      Issued by Earthwatch Institute on Jan 2006
      Earthwatch InstituteAssociated with Abby Graefe