Her Story
About Krista
Krista Shoe is the Founder and Executive Director of Mother of Corals, a marine conservation nonprofit focused on restoring Caribbean coral reef ecosystems through hands-on restoration, education, ecotourism, and high school scholarship initiatives. Based in Bocas del Toro, Panama, she leads programs that bring together science, community participation, and dive-based fieldwork to actively rebuild degraded reef systems. Her work integrates coral nurseries, outplanting projects, and structured training programs for divers, students, and local community members, creating a scalable model for long-term reef recovery and environmental stewardship.
Krista began her career in corporate America, spending nearly 20 years in technology, project management, and process engineering roles where she developed expertise in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives. Approximately nine years ago, she transitioned to remote work abroad near the ocean to pursue scuba diving more intentionally, gradually building a deep connection to marine environments. When her employer was acquired and new restrictions eliminated international remote work, she made the pivotal decision to leave corporate life entirely. That transition became the catalyst for her shift into full-time coral reef restoration, transforming a long-standing personal passion into a mission-driven career.
Six years ago, she founded Mother of Corals, combining operational discipline from her corporate background with immersive field experience in marine conservation. Her day-to-day responsibilities span coordinating dive logistics and boat operations, guiding volunteers and visiting divers through restoration sites, managing underwater coral nurseries, and overseeing data tracking for reef health and survival outcomes. Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a structured conservation program that blends science, education, and tourism to support both ecosystem resilience and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Penn State University and is a certified PADI Divemaster, though she attributes much of her expertise to nearly a decade of intensive, hands-on experience in the field and continuous learning in real-world restoration environments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krista
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success primarily to the support and guidance of many people who have helped me throughout my journey, as well as to resilience. I’ve learned that progress rarely happens in a straight line, and setbacks are an inevitable part of meaningful work. My approach has always been to acknowledge challenges, stand back up, and try again with greater clarity and determination. That combination of community support and persistence has shaped both my personal growth and my professional path.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that there is no single, universal approach to leadership or management. Every person is different, and effective leadership requires adapting your style to the individual you are working with rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Understanding people’s strengths, communication styles, and motivations allows you to support them more effectively and bring out their best work. That lesson has shaped how I lead teams, collaborate with others, and build strong, productive working relationships.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up! We need all the help we can get.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Funding
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center around connection to the ocean, curiosity, and continuous exploration. I am deeply drawn to water-based environments and activities such as paddle boarding, boating, and especially scuba diving, which continue to shape both my perspective and sense of purpose. Travel remains an important part of my life, particularly when it involves discovering new dive sites and marine ecosystems. These passions reinforce my appreciation for nature, adventure, and lifelong learning, and they also influence the way I approach my work in conservation and community engagement.
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