Save-A-Turtle 2026 Officers

All of our officers and board members are volunteers.

Dawn Bowles, President

I was born in California and used to visit the ocean every day. My love for the water and wildlife began then and has followed me to everywhere I’ve lived since. I’ve spent time living in Texas and Arizona but always wanted to get back to living by the ocean. My husband and I moved full time to the Florida Keys in 2020 and I love working with local Keys groups to improve the environment around us, both for us humans and the wildlife. I retired from the corporate technology sector but continue to use that knowledge to help nonprofits with their technology needs and help get their message to more of our population via their websites and social media. I’m a huge believer in thinking globally but acting locally! I’m really excited to be working with Save-A-Turtle on their mission to preserve our sea turtles!
In my free time I love spending time with my “zoo” of dogs and cats, or being out on the water paddle boarding, diving or just enjoying the ocean breeze.

Heather Skelley, Vice President

I was born in Hawaii and traveled up through High School as part of a military family. I lived most of my adult life in Maryland and Delaware and have been visiting the Keys for vacation since 1992. I have always loved the beach and have been passionate about keeping beaches clean and safe for humans and wildlife. As part of my passion for the beach and ocean, I became fascinated with sea turtles and the human impact on their environment and habitats. I teach at Sigsbee Charter School in Key West, where I enjoy sharing information about turtles and how we can help them with my students! I am proud to be part of this fantastic organization and group of people and to serve as a beach walker and Vice-President in 2026!

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​Jill Reilley,  Treasurer

Originally from New Jersey, I moved to the Florida Keys six years ago and quickly fell in love with the natural beauty and wildlife that make this community so special. As a lifelong animal lover, I joined Save-A-Turtle to support sea turtle conservation, deepen my knowledge, and connect with others who share the same passion. I’m especially passionate about educating children about sea turtles, conservation, and the importance of protecting our oceans and keeping our planet clean for future generations.

Brenis Hill, Secretary

My name is Brenis Hill. I am originally from Ohio; my aunt and uncle asked me to come
to spend some time with them in the Key. I now call the Florida Keys my home, where my lifelong love for the ocean has grown into a deep passion for sea turtle conservation. I have been a beach walker for the past three years. I love walking the beach in search of turtle tracks and monitoring the female's nests through hatching. While walking I pick up the never ending supply of trash that is left on the beach and floats in with the tides.
I work professionally as a victims advocate and am committed to protecting vulnerable
lives, a value that also guides my dedication to helping sea turtles live long, healthy lives. I
enjoy spending time with my husband, Danny, our dogs Charlotte and Chloe (both
rescues), and taking short walks along the beach.
I spend my free time quilting with the Paradise Quilters Guild in Big Pine Key. Even while tearing something apart for the third time, I find quilting to be very relaxing. I love learning new techniques from the knowledgable and very talented ladies within our group.
This is my first year serving on the board as Secretary. I am so excited about being part of
this team.

Save-A-Turtle 2026 Board Members
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Harry Appel
I have been a member of Save-A-Turtle for over 20 years and a Board member for approximately 17 years, including serving as Vice President for two years and President for about 12 years. I have also held the organization’s main permits for roughly 15 years, covering beaches from Key West to Marathon.
Advocacy for all animals is a major part of my life, especially sea turtles. I am very hands-on and deeply involved with Save-A-Turtle’s work. I helped arrange a partnership with the renowned marine artist Wyland, which continues today and raises funds for Save-A-Turtle as well as Wyland’s Clean Water Foundation.
I work to raise awareness about ways people can help protect the ocean and sea turtles. I am also a permitted DEP beach restoration and dune builder in the Florida Keys and was instrumental in obtaining grant funding for the restoration of Long Beach on Big Pine Key following Hurricane Irma.
At this point in my life, I recognize that the world belongs to my grandchildren and the generations that follow them. I am deeply passionate about education for true sustainability, animal advocacy and rights, environmental stewardship, and anything that helps leave a better world for those who come after us.

Jennifer DeMaria
I have been a member of Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys for about 19  years, and served as a Board Member for about 15 years. I was introduced to the plight of sea turtles by past beach walkers who would patrol on the beach where I live. Their passion for sea turtles was evident; in fact it changed my life. Upon learning of the dire situation sea turtles face, I decided to volunteer with Save-A-Turtle to do my part to help sea turtles. I started out as a beach walker, then Board Member, have also been a past main Marine Turtle Permit Holder, and currently remain part of the Stranding and Salvage Team Network for sea turtles.
Living here, I see the exploitation of our natural environment and wildlife, including sea turtles, through many causes including reckless development, pollution, entitlements, speciesism, lack of oversight from agencies and so on. It’s hard to witness and I cannot sit idly by when wrongs are committed. Despite all the pressures upon sea turtles, they are still here, so far. I feel a moral obligation in this world to help make things better for animals both in the sea and on land, of course including sea turtles.
I am an activist and advocate for all animals, choosing to educate on the moral baseline that animals are here with us, not for us, including the importance to live a compassionate lifestyle as free of animal exploitation in every way as much as possible. I feel a great responsibility to this organization, the animals and of course to those whom have entrusted me enough to serve in this capacity.

Chelsea Oatman
I’ve always had a passion for helping animals, but my love for the ocean really grew after I earned my scuba diving certification in 2013. That experience is what led me to pursue a degree in Marine Biology at Michigan State University
I was born and raised in Michigan and began working in the veterinary field in high school, staying in the field while pursuing my Marine Biology degree. After graduating, I completed an internship at a coral farm, which I absolutely loved. Not long after, I was given the opportunity to run a coral farm in Marathon Key, and in 2020, I moved to Florida to take on that role.
After spending five years running the coral farm, I decided to return to the veterinary field. In 2025, I began working at an animal hospital in the Florida Keys while also returning to school to pursue my Veterinary Technician degree online.
​I began volunteering with Save-A-Turtle as a beach walker, and it quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve been a part of. After four years with Save-A-Turtle, I am honored to be serving as a Board Member in 2026 and look forward to continuing to protect and save sea turtles.

Sue Schaf, FWCC, Technical Advisor