MBARI and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have a rich history of collaboration, working together to raise awareness about the ocean and share the data and science needed to inform decision-making about marine life, ecosystems, and resources.

This month, MBARI President and CEO Antje Boetius hosted new Monterey Bay Aquarium CEO Jenny Gray to learn more about MBARI’s work and identify opportunities for further collaboration between our two institutions. Gray toured MBARI, met with several of our teams, gave a seminar to our staff, and joined the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Animal Care team aboard our research vessel Rachel Carson for an expedition to study and collect corals in Monterey Canyon.

Gray joined the Monterey Bay Aquarium in May 2026, coming from a 17-year tenure as CEO of Zoos Victoria in Australia. She is a leader in the global zoo and aquarium industry, respected for her work in animal ethics, welfare, and conservation. Gray succeeded founding Executive Director Julie Packard, whose decades of leadership positioned the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a globally recognized voice for ocean conservation.

This fall, MBARI will welcome Gray as an ex officio member of our Board of Directors.