Shelby Thomas, PhD

Dr. Shelby Thomas is an ocean solutionist with a master's degree in marine ecology and a PhD in fisheries and aquatic sciences from the University of Florida. Dr. Thomas has led or contributed to more than 40 marine restoration projects globally, spanning coral, seagrass, oyster, sea urchin and scallop restoration. Her work uniquely bridges rigorous science with scalable, real-world solutions that resonate with corporate, academic, nonprofit and policy-driven audiences.

As founder and chief executive officer of Ocean Rescue Alliance International, known as ORAI, Dr. Thomas leads integrated ocean solutions that combine ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, workforce development and coastal community engagement. Her keynote presentations focus on turning research into deployable impact, demonstrating how science-backed restoration can regenerate marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods and blue economy growth. That combination makes her especially well-suited for paid keynote talks, corporate sustainability events, leadership conferences and live or virtual engagements.

Previously, Dr. Thomas served as head laboratory director at AMEC Foster Wheeler, where she oversaw seven concurrent restoration initiatives, managing complex teams and operations at scale. Her leadership at the intersection of science, innovation and execution sets her apart as a speaker who delivers both inspiration and actionable insight.

Dr. Thomas's work and leadership have been recognized nationally and internationally with honors including the NSF Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance, McNair Fellow, Challenge 2050, Aylesworth Scholar and multiple Stevie Awards, where she was named Most Inventive Woman of the Year, Woman of the Year and Top Executive of the Year. She also has been recognized as a Tampa Titan and is a TEDx speaker.