We are very excited to welcome two new staff to the REEF Team - Jill Kuehnert (right) as Campus Director and Dr. Kindra Bartz (left) as Operations Manager. Both are based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida.
Jill Kuehnert (‘KEY-nert’) comes to REEF with extensive experience in building support for good causes. After earning degrees in international relations and public policy from the American University in Washington DC, Jill’s professional journey began at the World Bank. She then spent a decade in the private sector, including a regional leadership assignment in Singapore. From 2007 to 2023, Jill worked as a science communications consultant for public sector agriculture research projects. Jill began scuba diving for fun when she lived in Asia and has logged hundreds of dives around the world. Jill and her husband moved to Key Largo in 2017 and until 2023 spent most of their time running Lucky Fish Scuba, a top-rated private charter operation. She is a community leader, currently serving as volunteer President of the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW), the largest local chapter of BPW/Florida. Jill has been a REEF member since 2017, attending REEF Fest every year with the t-shirts to prove it! She is an enthusiastic supporter of all kinds of cool science, especially when it empowers individuals and connects communities in protecting our oceans. As Campus Director, Jill will be responsible for overseeing programs, staff, and operations of the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida and helping chart the course for the organization’s growing impact in the Florida Keys community.
Kindra Bartz is an ocean enthusiast with extensive leadership education and experience overseeing the operations of a Visitor Center. She moved to the Florida Keys a year ago to help her partner run an eco-conscious scuba diving and fishing charter business. Originally from Kansas, Kindra earned a B.S. in Strategic Communications and an M.S. in University Administration from the University of Kansas (KU) while working at KU. Before moving to Key Largo, Kindra worked at a large research university for over 12 years, managing people and resources to offer campus visits and events. As an avid scuba diver, Kindra is a PADI Rescue Diver working on her PADI Divemaster certification. Kindra also earned a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California (USC) in Organizational Change and Leadership, further preparing her for nonprofit leadership. She is passionate about REEF’s conservation mission to protect marine life through education, service, and research. In her spare time, Kindra enjoys diving, riding her horse Molly, and spending time with her dogs.
Welcome to the REEF team, Jill and Kindra!