Over the years, Marie Dieppa Hernandez ’04 has worn many hats at Gulliver, from student and coach to events manager and alumni director. Marie says she’s grateful for the experiences she’s been afforded at Gulliver and the meaningful lessons she’s learned—such as teamwork, how to approach complex topics, building confidence, and discovering passions she didn’t know she had. Read on to learn more about her journey at Gulliver and her recent move to Sarasota where she now serves as Philanthropy Officer for the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
What are you up to these days?
My family and I made the move to Sarasota, Florida in October 2024, and we’ve truly loved the transition. We’ve settled into a welcoming neighborhood full of young families. Our weekends are spent exploring all that Sarasota has to offer, from its breathtaking beaches to fun community events. One of the biggest draws to the area was the opportunity to join Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. I’m now serving as a Philanthropy Officer for this incredible organization dedicated to saving our oceans and supporting the countless lives, human and marine, that depend on them. It’s been both inspiring and rewarding to contribute to such meaningful work in this next chapter of life.
What inspired you to pursue your current career, and how has your path evolved along the way?
I had the privilege of working at Gulliver for 12 years in a variety of roles. During that time, I joined the advancement team and quickly came to understand how vital philanthropy is to a school like Gulliver. Helping raise funds for financial aid, campus enhancements, and the unique programs that make a Gulliver education so special showed me that fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about building relationships and connecting people’s passions to a purpose. I discovered how much I enjoyed being part of that process.
Through leading signature events, supporting the alumni community, and contributing to meaningful educational experiences, I built a foundation that prepared me to take the next step in my journey—joining the team at Zoo Miami Foundation. There, I discovered a deep passion for conservation. Supporting my hometown zoo while learning about the animals and the work being done to protect them sparked a meaningful shift in my career focus.
When my husband and I began exploring a potential move, I knew I wanted to stay within the environmental conservation philanthropy space. That search led me to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, where I now serve as a Philanthropy Officer. While I didn’t become a scientist myself, I’m proud to support the work of over 45 Ph.D. scientists across 35+ research programs. Whether it’s advancing solutions to red tide or restoring Florida’s coral reefs, connecting donors to the science that drives real-world change has become my way of making an impact.
Was there something you learned at Gulliver—inside or outside the classroom—that’s made an impact on your life?
One of the most memorable and formative experiences I had at Gulliver came from Jorge Rodriguez-Walling’s history class. On any given day, we could be called on to deliver a pop oral presentation on the material we were studying. While it was definitely intimidating at times, it taught us to always come to class prepared—not just to recite facts, but to truly understand and communicate what we were learning.
That sense of preparedness has stayed with me ever since. It not only sharpened my critical thinking, but also laid the groundwork for public speaking skills I continue to rely on today. Whether I’m presenting to a room full of donors or collaborating with colleagues, I often find myself thinking back to those surprise presentations and the confidence they helped build.
Are there any Gulliver teachers or coaches you credit as having positively influenced you?
What I admire most about my time as a student at Gulliver was the unwavering dedication of the faculty. Mrs. Krutulis set the tone early on, championing an approach to education that recognized and adapted to students’ individual learning styles. That philosophy made a lasting impression on me.
I can think of countless teachers who went above and beyond meeting with me before or after school to make sure I wasn’t just memorizing material for a test, but truly understanding it. Mr. Lawrence stands out as a perfect example. By chance, my homeroom was in his chemistry classroom, and he never hesitated to help keep me on track or patiently answer my many, many questions. He taught me how to approach things I didn’t understand with a systematic mindset breaking down complex ideas into manageable steps.
Funny enough, I still rely on that skill today as I continue to learn about the expansive scientific research being conducted at Mote Marine Laboratory. The way those teachers invested in me continues to shape how I learn, lead, and approach challenges in my career.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Gulliver Prep?
One of my favorite memories from my time at Gulliver was the first time I walked into the dance room and met the unforgettable Ms. Gerri. From the moment she welcomed us, it was clear we were in the presence of someone truly special, a force of passion and encouragement.
On that very first day, she had us perform a dance mash-up, asking each of us to share the style we loved most. It was such a thoughtful way to let us shine and immediately made us feel seen, valued, and like we belonged at center stage. Ms. Gerri had a unique gift for pushing us toward excellence, while also creating an environment full of warmth and support.
I will always be grateful for the impact she had on me—not just as a teacher, but later as a colleague and friend. Her influence continues to inspire how I show up in both my professional and personal life.
What has been one of your proudest moments?
One of my proudest moments was shortly after I started working at Gulliver, when I was part of the Alumni Office team planning the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. That year, my father, Coach Jorge Dieppa, was selected as an inductee. I was assigned to help gather the accomplishments and testimonials for each honoree, including my dad.
Of course, I had always known firsthand what an incredible coach and mentor he was, but reading the heartfelt reflections from former players and colleagues moved me in an entirely new way. Their stories spoke to the deep impact he had shaping athletes on and off the field, mentoring young coaches, and instilling values that extended far beyond sports.
Watching him be honored by the school community, and playing a small role in that celebration, was deeply personal and incredibly meaningful. It remains one of the moments I’m most proud of both as a daughter and as a member of the Gulliver family.
As a Gulliver alum, what advice would you give to current students?
Take advantage of everything Gulliver has to offer inside and outside the classroom. Whether it’s joining a club, trying out for a sport, taking on a leadership role, or exploring a new interest through one of the many extracurriculars, those experiences are what shape your time here and help you discover who you are.
Gulliver offers so many unique opportunities that go far beyond academics. The relationships you build, the skills you develop, and the chances you take now will help you long after graduation. Some of my most valuable life lessons came from moments outside of class learning teamwork on the field, building confidence through public speaking, and discovering passions I didn’t even know I had.
Be curious. Say yes. Try something new. You’ll never regret being involved, you’ll only wish you’d done more.
What clubs, sports, or extracurriculars were you involved in at Gulliver Prep, and how did they influence you?
Being part of the cheer squad at Gulliver is one of my favorite high school memories. It’s where I formed some of my closest friendships including my best friend to this day. From the intense training sessions for competition season to traveling for camps and games, we worked hard, supported one another, and had an incredible amount of fun along the way.
Cheer was such a meaningful part of my student experience that, when I returned to work at Gulliver, I jumped at the chance to coach the team. What started as a small squad of fewer than 10 athletes grew into a passionate group of female athletes who were eager to elevate the program one performance at a time. Together, we proved that with dedication, creativity, and teamwork, they could earn the respect of their peers and become a powerful presence in the school community.
Coaching for six years was a full-circle moment for me. I often reflected on the impact my own coach had on my life, not just as an athlete, but as a person and I felt incredibly proud to be that mentor for the students I coached. Cheer taught me the value of perseverance, leadership, and sisterhood, and I carry those lessons with me to this day.
What’s something about you that most of your classmates might be surprised to learn?
Something that might surprise my classmates is that I’ve had the incredible privilege of participating in not one, but two sea turtle releases—one during my time at Zoo Miami and another more recently at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Both experiences were unforgettable highlights of my career. Watching a rehabilitated sea turtle make its way back to the ocean is not only emotional, but a powerful reminder of why conservation work matters. It’s one thing to talk about saving wildlife and it’s another to see that mission in action, right in front of you.
These moments continue to inspire the work I do every day, connecting donors and supporters to opportunities that make a real difference for our oceans and the species that depend on them. Seeing the direct impact of that support has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
How do you stay connected with fellow Gulliver Prep alumni or the school community?
Some of my closest friends are still part of the Gulliver team, continuing to move the school forward and create meaningful experiences for both students and alumni. Staying connected through them and cheering them on from afar helps me feel tied to the school’s continued growth and success.
I’m incredibly grateful for the many roles I’ve had at Gulliver over the years: student, coach, events manager, philanthropy officer, and alumni director. Each one gave me a deeper appreciation for the school’s mission and community. I look forward to staying involved by attending Homecoming and, of course, celebrating at future reunions! Gulliver will always feel like home to me.
