Sarah Marmion Appointed as New Executive Director of Friends of Manatee Lagoon

Friends of Manatee Lagoon (FOML) is proud to announce the appointment of Sarah Marmion as its new Executive Director. With a passion for environmental conservation and a proven track record in nonprofit leadership, Marmion assumes her new leadership effective immediately. She steps into the role at a pivotal time for the organization and the community it serves. 

Prior to joining Friends of Manatee Lagoon, Marmion served as Senior Manager of Education & Outreach for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), where she led initiatives to prepare the next generation of leaders through STEM opportunities for students ranging from K-12, to career and technical schools, and four-year colleges. She also served on The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Future of Work Advisory Committee, supporting statewide workforce readiness efforts.

Marmion has a long history with Manatee Lagoon. She helped design and open the FPL Eco-Discovery Center in Palm Beach County, planning for and managing the facility for eight years, growing it into an award-winning environmental education venue that attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually. She has been with FPL for 19 years, holding various roles, including community affairs manager and corporate spokesperson.

“I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue advancing Friends of Manatee Lagoon’s mission,” Marmion said. “This organization is uniquely positioned to inspire environmental stewardship and community action. Having worked with the Manatee Lagoon team for many years, I know firsthand the importance of protecting the ecosystems our beloved manatees depend on.”

In her new role, Marmion will oversee strategic planning, educational initiatives, fundraising, the annual Soiree for Seagrass, and community partnerships that support the mission of Manatee Lagoon to educate the public about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem.

“Sarah’s leadership and passion for conservation make her the perfect choice to guide Friends of Manatee Lagoon into its next chapter,” said Anne Messer, outgoing executive director. “Her deep roots with the organization and the local community will ensure a seamless transition and a vibrant future.”

Messer will join the board of directors following Marmion’s appointment. During her tenure with Friends of Manatee Lagoon, Messer was responsible for putting the nonprofit out in front in the community, raising funds and bringing a variety of new exhibits and programs to the environmental education center. 

Beyond her professional work, Marmion is an active advocate for foster children. She and her husband co-founded Clara’s Secret Shepherds Foundation, which provides scholarships for young adults aging out of foster care. She has also served on the boards of Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County and the County’s child-welfare agency, ChildNet. She currently sits on the board of the Community Alliance of Palm Beach County, which oversees the local child welfare system.

Marmion, a Martin County resident, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Founded in 2021, FOML was formed to engage the community in conservation efforts that protect manatees and their fragile habitats. The organization has funded exhibits, including a seagrass nursery at Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach, a seagrass wall, and an immersive animated film experience. This year, it will focus heavily on seagrass restoration projects, where seagrass saplings will be adhered to burlap sacks that can be planted in the Lake Worth Lagoon. 

About Friends of Manatee Lagoon

Friends of Manatee Lagoon is dedicated to protecting manatees – our state’s official marine mammal -- in Florida’s coastal regions and restoring and protecting their aquatic habitat. We raise funds to educate the community about manatees, promote awareness of their threats, engage in marine life conservation efforts, and protect the critically important seagrass that is their primary food source, ultimately leading to a healthy, global ecosystem.

Located along the Lake Worth Lagoon estuary, less than a mile south of the Port of Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, Friends of Manatee Lagoon is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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