My 30+ years career has spanned marine research, science leadership, environmental management, and knowledge exchange. With a long-time focus on the Great Barrier Reef, my interest has been the interface between science and policy. With my teams, I contributed to the understanding of pressures facing the Great Barrier Reef, especially related to deteriorating water quality and climate change, and to finding solutions to better manage these. In my new role as Coordinator of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), I am hoping to facilitate comprehensive assessments of coral reef status and trends, to track the pulse of these priceless ecosystems.