Sylvia Earle is a legendary marine biologist and National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence. She has been titled the "First Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine and the Library of Congress called her a "Living Legend". She has lead over 100 expeditions underwater and has been called upon by numerous government committees with appointments from three US presidents. Earle is also the first female chief scientist of the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Earle is the founder of Mission Blue, the global coalition to drive public awareness, access, and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas. Mission Blue also embarks on regular oceanic expeditions that shed light on our vital expeditions. The coalition is made up of more than 200 respected ocean conservation groups that are doing vital research and developing marine protected areas called 'Hope Spots' around the world.

Earle has led more than 100 ocean research expedition, logged more than 7000 hours underwater, set a record for solo diving to 1000 meters, and led the first team of women aquanauts, living under the ocean during the Tektite Project in 1970 and in nine other saturation dives. Her research concerns marine ecosystems with special reference to exploration, conservation and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments.

Earle's TED talk titled 'My wish: Protect our oceans' has well over one million views and lead to her winning the 2009 TED Prize. Earle has received over 100 national and international honors including the 2019 Thomas Jefferson Civic Leadership Award, 2018 Seattle Aquarium Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2017 UCSC Foundation Living Legend Medal.

Earle has written over 175 publications all dedicated to the ocean and conservation to protect it. She has also co-authored the 2008 National Geographic book Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas.