Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Haan
For Linda, Florida’s coast has always been a special place. She and her husband, Rick, first fell in love with the area while vacationing here in the late 1970s. Decades later, in 2019, they made the leap—selling their New Jersey home and settling in Palm City to be closer to family. But Linda didn’t just want to enjoy Florida’s beauty—she wanted to protect it.
Her journey with Florida Oceanographic Society began with a simple beach cleanup in 2019. That one event sparked a passion, and by 2020, she had joined the education team. Since then, Linda has dedicated over 300 hours to sharing her love of marine life with visitors.
As an Exhibit Guide, Linda splits her time between the Invertebrate Touch Tank and the Ocean EcoCenter. At the Touch Tank, she helps children and adults connect with sea stars, urchins, and crabs—encouraging them to observe these fascinating creatures up close. In the EcoCenter, she introduces guests to estuary reef inhabitants, always making sure they spot the elusive octopus or eel (when one is on display)!
What does she love most about volunteering? Inspiring others. For Linda, every conversation is an opportunity to ignite curiosity and encourage coastal stewardship. She’s also incredibly grateful for the friendships she’s built along the way, praising the knowledgeable staff and dedicated volunteers who make up the Florida Oceanographic team.
Before moving to Florida, Linda spent years in corporate finance at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (later Novartis) before shifting to the nonprofit sector. Her passion for making a difference led her to director roles in development at organizations like Planned Parenthood and the New Jersey Audubon Society.
When she’s not at the Coastal Center, you might find Linda on the tennis court, with a book in hand, in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, or at her sewing machine—she’s an avid quilter! She and Rick, college sweethearts, have been married for 48 years and share a wonderful family with two sons, a daughter, and four grandchildren.
Linda’s journey is proof that a simple act—like picking up trash on a beach—can lead to a lifelong passion for conservation. Next time you visit the Coastal Center, be sure to say hello and ask her about her favorite marine creature!
Snap Shot:
Born in: Boston, MA
College: Bachelor’s degree from Harvard and an MBA from NYU.
Favorite Local Restaurants: Dolphin Shrimp Bar for great seafood, Carson’s for good food and lively atmosphere plus music
Recent book: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Favorite authors: Geraldine Brooks, Jhumpa Lahiri, Celeste Ng, James McBride
Movies/TV/Streaming: The Pitt, Bad Sisters, Goliath, Ted Lasso
