Dozens of purple looking sand dollars scattered along the ocean floor

Past Lucile S. Packard Memorial Award & Youth Award recipients

Volunteers have always been an integral part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Before we opened our doors in 1984, Lucile Packard's vision brought in over 350 eager individuals. Since then, the program she inspired has attracted more than 10,000 volunteers who have contributed over five million hours of their time in service of our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean.

Each year we honor several of these amazing individuals with the Lucile S. Packard Memorial Award and Youth Award for outstanding volunteer service. The award recognizes volunteers whose dedication and selfless service exemplify Mrs. Packard’s lifelong commitment to volunteerism. Congratulations to all of our recipients since 2020!

2025 recipients

Alice Bourget

Dive Program

Alice is a longtime volunteer diver and team captain who leads ocean conservation efforts, mentors fellow divers, and models strong commitment to sustainability and safety. Her impact spans inspiring her team and community, advancing conservation initiatives, and creating meaningful educational experiences that deepen public engagement with ocean stewardship.

Michele Goins

Sea Otter Program and Veterinary Services

Michele is a dedicated volunteer who plays a vital role in animal care, medical support, and improving record-keeping through meticulous data management and organization. Her impact extends beyond veterinary operations, strengthening conservation efforts while uplifting staff and volunteers through her generosity, reliability, and unwavering commitment.

Angel Bahena

Teen Conservation Leaders

Angel is a TCL participant and Animal Technician who contributes to conservation education, supports peers, and engages visitors while continuing to grow as a leader. His impact includes building confidence in himself and others, fostering teamwork, and inspiring meaningful connections to ocean conservation. Angel received a $5,000 scholarship as the 2025 Youth Volunteer Award recipient.

2024 recipients

A volunteer smiles while standing next to diving gear

Jack Day

Dive Program

Jack is a longtime volunteer diver and shift captain who supports exhibit maintenance, leads public presentations, and mentors fellow divers in safety and guest engagement. His impact includes keeping his team connected during the pandemic and inspiring visitors to connect with the ocean.

A volunteer in a red sports jacket smiles while standing in front of the Kelp Forest exhibit at the Aquarium

Laurie Dixon

Volunteer Guide

Laurie is a dedicated volunteer guide who supports the Aquarium's daily operations, mentors new and teen volunteers, and consistently steps in to assist wherever needed. Her impact includes strengthening team resilience, fostering confidence in others, and enhancing the visitor experience through her positivity and flexibility.

A volunteer in a red sports jacket smiles while standing in front of a sculptured wall at the Aquarium

Stephanie Flaniken

Volunteer Guide and Animal Care

Stephanie is a longtime volunteer guide and shift captain, husbandry volunteer, and mentor who educates guests, supports animal care efforts, and trains new volunteers with empathy and expertise. Her impact includes inspiring meaningful guest connections, shaping confident and compassionate volunteer guides, and advancing the Aquarium’s conservation mission.

A teen volunteer in a blue vest smiles while standing in front of an ocean background

Dawson Brej

Teen Conservation Leader

Dawson is a TCL participant, volunteer guide, and shift captain who mentors peers, leads shifts, and engages guests in ocean education. Their impact includes growing into a confident advocate, supporting fellow youth leaders, and promoting ocean conservation both within the Aquarium and in broader global conversations. Dawson received a $5,000 scholarship as the 2024 Youth Volunteer Award recipient.

2023 recipients

A volunteer in a red sports jacket smiles while standing on the back deck of the Aquarium

Jane Sullivan

Volunteer Guide

Jane is a longtime volunteer guide and shift captain who supports a wide range of guest programs while fostering strong connections within her team. Her impact includes enhancing the guest experience, sustaining team morale through the pandemic, and creating meaningful, lasting connections with everyone she meets.

A volunteer pours a container of mealworms into a larger feeding tray for birds

Don Battles

Animal Care, Volunteer Guide

Don is a dedicated aviculture volunteer and volunteer guide who supports animal care and guest education with meticulous attention and deep knowledge. His impact includes building strong connections with animals, mentoring others, and enriching both the volunteer community and visitor experience.

A volunteer smiles while holding a cleaning hose in a tank behind the scenes at the Aquarium

Kim Kaplan

Animal Care, Volunteer Guide

Kim is a dedicated volunteer guide and animal care volunteer who educates guests, supports husbandry work, and shares her knowledge with enthusiasm and care. Her impact includes enhancing visitor engagement, fostering strong community connections, and extending conservation outreach beyond the Aquarium.

A teen volunteer in a blue vest smiles while standing on the back deck of the Aquarium

Maya Manildi

Teen Conservation Leaders, Volunteer Guide

Maya is a youth program participant and volunteer guide who leads peer-driven conservation initiatives and engages others in ocean education. Her impact includes inspiring youth involvement, advancing awareness of environmental issues, and fostering an inclusive, supportive community.

Alivia Dapar

Teen Conservation Leaders, Volunteer Guide

Alivia, or Liv, is a TCL participant, volunteer guide, and shift captain who supports peers, leads shifts, and fosters an inclusive and welcoming volunteer community. Her impact includes strengthening team success, advancing youth-led community initiatives, and creating positive spaces that support connection and engagement both inside and outside the Aquarium.

2022 recipients

A volunteer with a grey mustache and glasses stands in front of the Kelp Forest exhibit at the Aquarium

Andy Holiday

Dive Program

Andy is a long-time volunteer diver and guide who supports exhibit feeding demonstrations and guest engagement with deep expertise in kelp forest ecosystems. His impact includes bringing science to life for visitors, sharing knowledge with fellow guides, and inspiring ocean conservation through dynamic storytelling and enthusiasm.

A volunteer holds a cleaning hose in a tank behind the scenes at the Aquarium

Hiroki Terada

Animal Care

Hiroki is an animal care volunteer who supports husbandry operations with reliability, initiative, and a strong commitment to animal welfare. His impact includes strengthening animal care capacity during challenging periods, consistently exceeding assigned responsibilities, and providing essential support during complex veterinary and maintenance procedures.

A volunteer smiles while holding frozen squid in a food room behind the scenes at the Aquarium

Susan Uydess

Sea Otter Program

Susan is a dedicated Sea Otter Program volunteer who supports animal care tasks, like feeding and habitat maintenance, with consistency and excellence. Her impact extends beyond the Aquarium through conservation advocacy and leadership, including advancing environmental education efforts and successfully supporting high-profile recognition of Julie Packard's conservation leadership.

Anneka Keller

Student Oceanography Club, Teen Conservation Leaders

Anneka is a youth programs participant who engages in ocean education programs and STEM-focused conservation projects to promote marine awareness. Her impact includes connecting students to ocean stewardship, bridging technology and conservation, and representing the Aquarium as part of a NOAA Youth Summit Leadership Council.

A teen volunteer in a blue vest smiles while leaning over the touch pools at the Aquarium

Norah Takehara

Young Women in Science, Teen Conservation Leaders

Norah is a youth volunteer and conservation leader who participates in education programs, guide shifts, and sleepover programming to support ocean learning and guest engagement. Her impact includes strengthening peer connections during challenging times, mentoring fellow volunteers, and inspiring enthusiasm for marine conservation among guests and new participants.

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