Executive Leadership

Joe Handy is the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA). With a strong enthusiasm for community partnership, Handy brings more than 20 years of experience in leading cultural institutions.

Handy joined CMA in 2022 from the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)^® where he served as President and CEO. He is an accomplished leader with an impeccable track record, strong business acumen, vision, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

In 2005, Handy joined the Georgia Aquarium’s founding team as Director of Visitor Services and went on to serve as the Aquarium’s President and Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Grounded in his passion for the Aquarium’s mission, he rose through the ranks of Vice President of Guest Experience, Senior Vice President of Guest Experience, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, and as President of the Georgia Aquarium Foundation.

Handy is a dedicated member of his community and has served on several committees including the Kennesaw State University (KSU) Foundation Board of Trustees and the Strategic Planning Committee, the Advisory Boards of KSU Business School, the Morehouse Leadership Honor Society, and the Board of Directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

He has also received numerous accolades including the Atlanta Business League 2018 Men of Influence Award, the Georgia Senate Remarkable and Distinguished Georgian Resolution in March 2019, ICABA – Atlanta’s Leading Influencers Award in May 2019, and Secretary of State’s Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award in July 2019. He served as Executive in Residence at Kennesaw State’s College of Business for the Fall 2019 semester, is a member of the Leadership Atlanta 2019 Class, and Chairman of the Board for Atlanta Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA).

Born and raised in New York, Handy graduated with honors from The College of New Rochelle with a Liberal Arts Degree and a concentration in Political Science. He later went on to earn his Executive MBA from KSU. While in New York, Handy spent nine years at the American Museum of Natural History and helped launch the Rose Center for Earth and Space.

For more than 40 years, Dr. James “Buddy” Powell has worked to conserve manatees and other endangered species around the world through science and education. With an integrated approach to unlock solutions for conservation issues, his efforts have resulted in coastal protected areas in Florida, West Africa, Central America and Cuba.

As native Floridian in the 1970s, Buddy’s work began with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a biologist and manatee specialist. In 1986, he moved to West Africa where he studied manatees and forest elephants for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). After a cultural adjustment and gaining experience in managing people and changing human behavior, he was pivotal in establishing several coastal protected areas. He moved to Belize in the 1990s to manage WCS’s Glover’s Reef Marine Research Station. Upon his return to Florida, Buddy administered the state’s research program on marine mammals and sea turtles for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In 2001, he became a Vice President at Wildlife Trust where he oversaw the Aquatic and National Divisions.
In 2008, Dr. Powell co-founded Sea to Shore Alliance. The organization was created to improve the health and productivity of coastal environments for the endangered species and human livelihoods that depend on them through research, education and conservation. Buddy joined CMA as VP of Research & Conservation when Sea to Shore Alliance merged with Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Dr. Powell received his BSc. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Florida, his Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, and his PhD in Zoology from the University of Cambridge in England. He was the recipient of the prestigious Pew Award in Marine Conservation in 2000, has been featured on “Champions of the Wild” and National Geographic’s “Wild Chronicles” documentaries, and has been honored with multiple awards and certificates. Dr. Powell has authored two books, numerous scientific publications and popular articles.

As Vice President of Marketing at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Dorree Gurdak brings over 25 years of strategic global marketing experience to her new role. Her area of expertise is developing breakthrough integrated marketing campaigns which she plans to do for CMA. In her previous role at Weber Shandwick, she worked with well-known brands, non-profits and commodities to create brand narratives, oversee development of creative digital, video and print campaigns, as well as large branded consumer and media activations. She had the opportunity to work with scientists, farmers, and the fishing industry working on behalf of organizations such as the Maine Marketing Lobster Collaborative and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Under her marketing leadership, Dorree and the talented CMA marketing team are ready to create a new narrative and creative that will capture new visitors, as well as attracting returning visitors. With Dorree’s wealth of experience and her enthusiasm for delivering exceptional marketing campaigns, CMA will be well-positioned for its growth and expansion.

After graduating with an MSW, Meagan set out to save the world. As a frontline social worker helping homeless populations in Philadelphia, she used her skills to find housing, food and medical support. She spent the last part of 2005 helping Hurricane Katrina evacuees relocate. To make a more considerable impact, Meagan started writing grants to create large-scale opportunities for underserved communities. After 20 years and millions of dollars raised, her successes include establishing free training for tens of thousands of early education leaders in Miami, reopening a performing arts center through COVID relief, and building a manatee rehabilitation center in Clearwater.

As VP of Development and Government Relations, Meagan pursues funding opportunities to build capital and programming at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. She solicits donations from donors and advocates for marine conservation with elected officials.

Meagan is a member of Project WET’s board of directors.

Stephanie Jones is the culture focused HR professional at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This Culture focused HR role is fitting since Stephanie is a world traveler and connoisseur of diverse cultures. She has visited all 50 states, lived in 10 of them, and lived in Germany for 6 years as well. She has visited 48 countries – some only for 8 hours, on a travel layover but it still counts! Prior to coming to CMA, Stephanie covered all of the Northeast motorways and the DC airports as the HR Director and was responsible for the welfare of 5000 employees, both union and non-union members. Prior to that she worked at Tampa Airport and was responsible for all the restaurants’ Union Negotiations, HR, Risk Management and OSHA safety compliance needs for over 5000 employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Stephanie has an MBA, is SHRM certified and has her Professional in Human Resources Certification. She has served on the board of several HR organizations. But training is her true love. She focuses on organizational development, training, employee engagement and risk management to create safe and inclusive work environments. Stephanie loves to spend time with her military husband David and her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Zoey, and wishes she had more chances to spend with her daughter Tyfany and grandson Aodhán.

Dr. Shelly Marquardt joined Clearwater Marine Aquarium in October 2015. As chief veterinarian, Dr. Marquardt oversees the Animal Health Department and is responsible for the health and welfare of all resident and rehabilitating species at the aquarium. In addition to her leadership role, she is actively involved with clinical cases and day to day operations. She leads medical efforts for stranded cetaceans within the region and actively participates in multi-institutional efforts to perform manatee and cetacean health assessments on the local populations annually.

Dr. Marquardt earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a rotating internship, she worked as an emergency veterinarian before starting her own veterinary business. During this time, she received her certification in veterinary acupuncture. After volunteering at the aquarium for several years, Marquardt was hired as the organization’s first staff veterinarian. She developed the Animal Health program, which includes the veterinary medical team and sea turtle/wildlife rehabilitation team.

Marquardt is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Zoological veterinarians, the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, the American Association of Fish Veterinarians and Association of Zoos and Aquariums. She is a lecturer with University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health SeaVet program and a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums Animal Welfare Committee.

Kelly Martin is the Vice President of Zoological Care for Clearwater Marine Aquarium bringing over 24 years of marine mammal industry knowledge and leadership experience to the team.

Kelly grew up visiting marine mammal parks and aquariums from a very young age, with her passion for water and animals, it was no surprise Kelly decided on a career in the marine mammal field. In 1999, Kelly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to work for the Mirage Dolphin Habitat where a foundation in education, marine mammals, guest experience, SCUBA, and water quality were solidified. Her career continued as she moved across the country joining SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove. A strong knowledge of marine mammal social groups, the effects of seasonal changes in the population, experience with cetacean births and calf rearing, practice and implementation of in-water guest interaction and programming, along with an understanding in leadership added to Kelly’s capacity. In 2015, Kelly was offered a position to lead a local team of Bahamians while opening Atlantis, Paradise Island’s Dolphin Cay. Kelly’s repertoire grew to include pinniped and various bird species, establishment of a marine mammal species after hours show, marine mammal transport, marketing and PR efforts with VIP guests, and course completion in Atlantis’ HR training for professionals through the Atlantis University.

As life would have it, Kelly married and started her family. Moving closer to friends and family for support, Kelly’s journey began at Clearwater Marine Aquarium where she oversees the Animal Care Program, Aquatic Biology Program, Dive Program, and Marine Mammal Rescue efforts. Throughout her tenure, Kelly has created educational revenue programs, assisted with capital construction projects from idea through to implementation, and has recently worked with the team to accomplish CMA’s first accreditation with the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Kelly is supported by a talented and passionate group of individuals with the primary goal to expand knowledge and efforts to conserve marine life and the environment.

Dr. Kelly McAdams has worked in post-secondary education for over 20 years. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville University, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Capella University. Prior to beginning her career as an educator, Kelly worked in the clinical medical environment and is an experienced trauma and open-heart nurse. She has served as a faculty member, a program director, and associate dean in several institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Kelly has nurtured a lifelong love of marine life and when she finally relocated to Florida in 2017, she began volunteering at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. She is passionate about the conservation of our environment and precious marine life. Kelly believes strongly that educating and inspiring guests from around the globe is the key to empowering individuals to take meaningful action in their communities to protect our oceans, conserve our natural resources, and prevent further species extinction. She will be working closely with many local school districts, colleges, universities, and conservation organizations to encourage our youth to develop a passion for our marine environment. Kelly is especially interested in the impacts microplastics are imposing on our local estuaries.

An accomplished industry expert with a career spanning over 26 years, Ruth brings a wealth of knowledge and invaluable experience to her new role. Ruth was a key member of the opening team for Georgia Aquarium in 2005, where she dedicated 17 years to shaping and developing the overall guest experience. Prior to that, she honed her expertise during her decade-long tenure at the American Museum of Natural History. As the Vice President of Guest Experience and Engagement, Ruth will spearhead the organization’s focus on “Edutainment” – a fusion of education and entertainment. Under her leadership, the Engagement team will devise innovative and enjoyable ways to educate guests about the vital work undertaken at CMA. Through captivating talks, interactive presentations, and immersive animal rescue demonstrations, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s mission and the actionable steps they can take to contribute. With Ruth’s extensive experience and her passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, CMA will continue to educate and engage visitors.