Born and raised in Maine, Jillian’s love for the ocean started early and has played an integral role in her adult life. She has spent thousands of hours in the field working and diving with sharks across the globe. She is a mom, marine biologist, shark conservationist, author, and educator. Jillian is the founder and president of the education non-profit Sharks4Kids. She is the lead scientist for Project Lemon Aid. She has filmed for and been featured on numerous television shows and networks, has appeared on Shark Week and Shark Fest, and is a PADI Ambassadiver. She was named Scuba Diving Magazine's July 2016 Sea Hero, awarded the inaugural Shark Con Shark Hero Award in 2017, and was the Go Blue Awards 2020 Blue Ambassador of the Year. She is a National Geographic-certified educator. She is the author of Norman the Nurse Shark and Shark Super Powers and a member of the prestigious Ocean Artists Society.