Jonelle Verdugo

Jonelle was part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium team for over 25 years.

Over the years I've watched her grow up in her career – she became a leader - and was highly respected by her team and the aquarium family.   

A board meeting occurred a couple of weeks ago where the executive director and vice chair of the board of trustees took a moment at their board meeting to acknowledge Jonelle’s work, her excellence and her contribution to the organization. 

This year was her 25th anniversary with MBA.

Though my sister’s life was short - she used her determination, her stubbornness that she got from our dad, her intelligence, her gifts and talents for doing great things in her life; her nature was subtle yet impactful.  

I would like to continue to honor her spirit – her legacy through a scholarship fund.  I will be establishing a scholarship award for ambitious young students who wish to pursue their dreams of becoming a marine mammalogist or marine biologist.  I’ve created this blog style website  to continue the memory of her life and her legacy.  

Jonelle Verdugo Legacy Fund  -  A scholarship award will be given annually in her honor and to inspire and help an aspiring young student/s in their pursuit of a career in marine biology and/or marine mammalogy.