Page 107 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2024

The Women of
Mississippi Aquarium
Mississippi Aquarium prides itself on being
a premiere tourist destination not only on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but in the southern region. Running a world-class facility like that takes
a strong team with a variety of backgrounds, talents, and expertise. Let us introduce you to the women in management at Mississippi Aquarium, working hard to educate and entertain visitors from all over on aquatic wonders of all kinds.
Whitney Sumrall says “Being involved in the outside community is so very important to me
not only in my position as Director of Business Development, but also as an individual. I’m actively involved with the Gulfport Main Street Association where I’m proud to serve as president. This allows me to make unbelievable connections and be part of a support system for other local businesses on this wonderful Gulf Coast. In addition, I’m happy to serve as Girl Scouts Troop Leader and Room Coordinator.”
Anna Greene says, “I love meeting new people and working with such wonderful staff and group volunteers. I’m constantly able to learn new things about animals and it brings me such joy to be able to create new programming for our guests so that they may better understand and connect with the aquatic world and be advocates for these animals moving forward.”
“I became inspired with the aquarium field from middle school trips that I took to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. I remember seeing the aquarists doing feeds and maintenance
and pretty much knew when I was in 7th grade that I wanted to do that when I grew up.” Amy Bajek, Curator of Aquatics, reflects. “However, my father was really the one who helped inspire me to pursue this career. He was very supportive of my aquarium hobby all through my younger years and it really helped me to develop and
hone the skills that I would need as a professional aquarist. Without his support and encouragement, I know I would not be where I’m at today.”
Melinda Bathgate describes what she loves most about her job, “Of course it’s spending time with the animals, but also it’s the contribution that the animals and myself make towards conservation, education and research to help the animals out there in the ocean.”
Dr. Alexa Delaune, Vice President of Veterinary Services and Research said, “Coming to Mississippi Aquarium to be the Vice President of Veterinary Services and Research has been the biggest impact to my career thus far. I had never been to Mississippi until my family and I moved here in 2019. Being the veterinarian to order all
of the equipment, hire all of the vet staff, make all of the procedures, etc. has been a huge learning opportunity for me and afforded me opportunities that I could not have predicted. Our small but, mighty vet team has done some amazing work in the short few years we’ve been open and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and our colleagues that we work with to care for the animals.”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net September 2024 | 107