{"id":7807,"date":"2024-07-19T08:45:23","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coral.org\/?p=7807"},"modified":"2025-04-30T06:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:53:42","slug":"meet-corals-new-director-of-finance-and-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/blog\/meet-corals-new-director-of-finance-and-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet CORAL\u2019s New Director of Finance and Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Say hello to our adventurous addition to the leadership team! When she isn\u2019t exploring in her overland Jeep, Kristy Ives is working tirelessly to protect the beautiful planet she loves to explore. With over 25 years of experience in non-profit finance management, Kristy brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to CORAL. Let’s dive into her story and get to know the woman behind the numbers!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Childhood by the Sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kristy\u2019s love for the ocean began early. Growing up in Miami, Florida, just a stone’s throw from the Florida Keys, she spent her childhood exploring the underwater world. \u201cI grew up boating, snorkeling, and diving in Biscayne National Park,\u201d she recalls. This early connection to the sea sparked a lifelong passion for marine conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her journey took her to the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she majored in environmental resources. \u201cI chose this university because it had a 1,000-acre wildlife preserve, much of which was beachfront\u2014ideal for my studies.\u201d Now, she lives on a serene lake just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, but her heart remains tethered to the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Finance to Conservation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kristy\u2019s journey into non-profit finance was an unexpected yet fortunate turn of events. After graduating, she landed a job at the National Audubon Society. \u201cThe Director needed someone to help with the budget, and I volunteered. It quickly became apparent that I had a natural talent for finances and budgeting,\u201d she explains. This newfound talent led her to earn a degree in finance, blending her passion for the environment with her financial skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her innovative approach at Audubon, where she transformed the budget model and improved fundraising strategies, set the stage for her role at CORAL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I absolutely must work someplace where I can experience and feel the impact. With CORAL, I feel that I can actually make that happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Memorable Moments and Exciting Adventures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When she\u2019s not working, Kristy and her partner, Sam, spend three months a year overlanding in their Jeep, exploring remote and stunning landscapes. \u201cWe take our Jeep, which pulls a small off-road trailer, out into the wilderness. We\u2019re talking public lands where there aren\u2019t people for miles. We actually work on the road, using Starlink for internet,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kristy is also a passionate diver. One of her favorite dive experiences was when she swam through a massive school of moon jellies and came face-to-face with a manta ray. \u201cIt was enormous and absolutely amazing. Manta rays are not common in South Florida, so it was quite a rarity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shaping the Future at CORAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kristy\u2019s extensive background and innovative mindset make her an invaluable asset to CORAL. She\u2019s eager to apply her knowledge and experience to propel our mission forward. \u201cI love finding solutions and fixing broken systems. It excites me to work on a great idea, a plan, and figure out how to make it happen,\u201d she says enthusiastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re beyond excited to have Kristy on our team and can\u2019t wait to see the incredible impact she\u2019ll make. Stay tuned for more adventures and insights from Kristy as she dives into her new role at CORAL!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the team, Kristy! \ud83e\udeb8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\"Support<\/a><\/span>