Gretchen Spencer
Gretchen Spencer is a Management Analyst at NOAA Ocean Exploration. In her position, she supports the office’s mission of exploring the deep sea by communicating science and policy to partners and stakeholders, coordinating advisory boards, directly supporting leadership, and participating in cruises on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. Gretchen was a 2023 Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the NOAA OAR Front Office, which is when she was first introduced to the Women’s Aquatic Network.
Gretchen earned a M.S. in marine science from NOVA Southeastern University (Florida), where her thesis focused on the biogeochemical cycles occurring in mangrove ecosystems. While pursuing her masters, she worked as the education and outreach specialist for the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC), where she educated the public about marine conservation and cared for the two resident sea turtles who lived on site. Gretchen received her B.S. in marine biology at the University of Maine.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time at her family's “camp” in Maine, watching and participating in theater and singing, reading, water sports, and baking.
