Lieutenant Commander Cherisa Friedlander is currently serving on SSLA’s Board as the Secretary and NOAA Corps Service Representative. Her responsibilities include participating in monthly board meetings, assisting with the planning for the annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS), and representing a unique perspective of the nation’s smallest seagoing uniformed service, NOAA Commissioned Corps. 

Cherisa has been an officer in the NOAA Corps for ten years, serving in missions that support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She is currently serving as the flag aide to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere/NOAA Administrator, Dr. Richard Spinrad.  Earlier this year, she completed her Operations Officer tour and earned her Senior Watch Officer (SWO) qualification aboard the fisheries survey vessel NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. 

Cherisa comes from a big service family, with her father having served over 30 years in the US Navy and her brother currently serving in the US Navy. Serving in NOAA Corps allows her to join her passions of science and service and she is always seeking out opportunities for leadership and self-growth. 

Cherisa holds a B.S in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island and a M.S in Applied Marine and Watershed Science from California State University Monterey Bay. Cherisa loves the water and can usually be found at the beach swimming, snorkeling, exploring lighthouses, and hunting for sea glass. 

Connect with her at sslasecretary@gmail.com or ssla.noaa@gmail.com.