ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Team TBG ProTech Oceans Program Manager Michele Finn, a retired captain from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps, was selected to be part of the international leadership initiative Homeward Bound Project. The global project was formed in 2015 to empower and equip women to lead and positively influence the decision-making that shapes our planet.
Each year, Homeward Bound selects women with science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) backgrounds who are experts in their respective fields. The program consists of 11 months of online meetings focused on scientific collaboration and communication, leadership development, strategy, visibility, peer coaching and global issues concerning women. It culminates in a three-week expedition by ship to Antarctica, the site of profound and fast-moving global sustainability issues, where participants put what they have learned into action by sharing knowledge and identifying solutions.
Finn, a member of Homeward Bound’s fourth class, has supported environmental programs as a scientist, ship officer, scuba diver, pilot, biologist and program manager. In addition to owning and operating her environmental consulting services firm, MA Finn Consulting LLC, Finn served as the assistant superintendent of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, chief of staff of the National Ocean Service, and deputy director of the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center, and she is an active volunteer with animal rescue and marine conservation programs.
As Program Manager for Team TBG, Finn manages the efforts of 11 scientific, research and geospatial companies focused on oceanic and coastal concerns, formed to comprehensively support NOAA’s Professional and Technical (ProTech) Services Ocean Domain.
Finn said the value of Homeward Bound’s integrated program, with its rich and diverse global membership, is the perfect way to continue to develop leadership capabilities, while exchanging experiences with other dedicated environmental leaders.
“When I retired from the NOAA Corps, I thought, ‘I’m not done, yet!’ I have so much more I want to do and so much more I can give to help solve environmental challenges,” Finn said. “The Homeward Bound Project is gathering women with the passion, dedication, competency and capability to make a positive difference. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I am genuinely excited to be part of this initiative.”
Team TBG is a successful integrative team of 11 scientific, research and geospatial companies focused on oceanic and coastal concerns. Team TBG works together to provide support, strategy and innovative solutions to advance the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service. Members of this high-performance team include The Baldwin Group Inc. (prime), Advanced Resource Technologies Inc., CDM Smith Inc., Data Solutions & Technology Inc., Eastern Research Group Inc., Global Science & Technology Inc., JOA Surveys LLC, Ocean Associates Inc., Riverside Technology Inc., TDI-Brooks International Inc. and Woolpert Inc.
