Abbey Wakely Joins SECOORA as Director of Communications and External Affairs

SECOORA is pleased to welcome Abbey Wakely as Director of Communications and External Affairs. Abbey will lead SECOORA’s communications and external affairs strategy, working closely with the Executive Director and Board to enhance the organization’s visibility, strengthen partnerships, support congressional and media engagement, and serve as a trusted voice for SECOORA’s mission across the region.

SECOORA has long been a trusted convener in the region. I’m honored to return to the team and lead our communications and external engagement to expand partnerships and ensure our work continues to serve communities and economies across the Southeast.

– Abbey Wakely, SECOORA Director of Communications and External Affairs

Abbey returns to SECOORA after serving as Manager of Member Engagement at the Marine Technology Society (MTS) for the past two years. In that role, she strengthened relationships, supported technical committees, led corporate member engagement, and advanced programs focused on mentorship and professional development for students and early career ocean professionals. Her work centered on building community, elevating collaboration, and advancing innovation across the marine technology sector.

Abbey previously served as Director of Communications at SECOORA, where she led strategic messaging and partnership engagement efforts to highlight the value of regional ocean observing.