Strategy and Storytelling with Depth
I help ocean and blue-economy organizations clarify where they’re going, strengthen how they’re positioned and communicate complex work with confidence.
My work spans strategy, positioning, marketing and communications, sustainability messaging, writing and knowledge translation. You can bring me in for a defined project or as experienced fractional support alongside your team.
I bring more than 20 years of experience across marine operations, international tourism, marketing leadership and journalism. As founder of Get Kelp, I also research and report on the science, businesses and decisions shaping an emerging ocean sector.
How I Help
An engagement might begin with a communications problem, a writing brief or a need for experienced support within your team. I work on defined projects and in ongoing fractional roles, helping establish direction and carry the work through.
Strategy, Positioning & Communications
Positioning, marketing and communications strategy, audience development, sustainability messaging, website strategy and strategic advisory.
Fractional Marketing & Leadership
Senior strategic support embedded alongside your team. Set priorities, guide marketing and communications, coordinate partners and move important work forward without adding a full-time senior hire.
Writing, Editorial & Knowledge Translation
Reports, research translation, commissioned writing, interviews, educational resources, thought leadership and editorial projects that make complex subjects clear and useful.
Speaking & Conversation Leadership
Moderation, facilitation, interviews, panels, presentations, workshops and organizational briefings across marine, tourism, sustainability and emerging ocean sectors.
Credibility & Experience
My career connects the practical realities of working on the water with the commercial and editorial decisions made on shore.
- 20+ years across marine tourism and ocean industries, spanning operations, marketing, journalism, sustainability and education.
- 18+ years with Explorer Ventures Fleet, progressing from liveaboard crew to Marketing Manager and now strategic consultant providing ongoing fractional support.
- Founder of Get Kelp, an independent seaweed publication connecting research, industry developments and public understanding.
- Internationally published writer and journalist, including Scuba Diving Magazine, Scuba Diver Life and The Reef-World Foundation.
- ~3,500 dives, 8-years at sea and work/travel across 50+ countries, bringing an unusually grounded international perspective to ocean-sector work.
The Perspective Behind my Work
Understanding the work before shaping the message
Hi, I’m Rachel, an ocean-sector consultant, strategist and writer based in Sooke, British Columbia.
Before advising marine businesses, I worked aboard them. Years on liveaboards gave me an understanding of crews, guests, logistics and the daily decisions behind marine tourism. Leading marketing for an international fleet brought those realities into my work on positioning, websites, campaigns and sales.
Writing and journalism taught me to follow the questions further: research carefully, listen closely and find the details that make a subject worth understanding. I bring that approach to client projects and to Get Kelp, the independent seaweed publication I founded.
Today, I work across the blue economy, tourism, research and sustainability, helping organizations navigate strategy, positioning and complex communication.
I’m still happiest when the work brings me close to the ocean—ideally with a whale shark or two.
Selected Clients, Collaborations & Publications
Strategic relationships and published work
My experience includes long-term marketing and communications roles, commissioned journalism, destination assignments and ocean-sector collaborations. These are some of the organizations and publications I’ve worked with or contributed to.
Have a project, challenge or conversation you need to move forward?
I work with ocean businesses, destinations, research teams, associations and organizations working across the blue economy and sustainability.
Tell me what you’re working on, where you need support and your timing.