Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Raymond McGee.
Hi Gabrielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At six years old, I saw Dr. Sylvia Earle snorkeling with Mister Rogers on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She dove fearlessly into the deep, and I remember thinking—there’s a real-life superhero. That moment changed everything for me.
Life first took me into sports and entertainment—working with Major League Baseball and the Tory Burch Foundation—but the ocean never stopped calling. Years later, fate stepped in. I met Dr. Earle at a conference, and she invited me to join her expedition to the Galápagos. I didn’t feel ready—but I went. Swimming alongside marine iguanas, sharks, turtles, and Dr. Earle herself, I felt like that curious little girl again. Sylvia always says, “What’s your superpower? Whatever it is—the ocean needs you.” That message stayed with me.
Now, as a mother of three, I created Future Waves to empower kids to protect our planet through creativity, science, and entrepreneurship. Kids ages 4–18 submit short videos showing how they can be a part of the Future Waves. Top students pitch their ideas in our Pitch Tank, judged by leaders like Dr. Earle, John Sculley, Danni Washington, and Luca Martinez. Winners earn scholarships and school grants to keep their ideas alive—and our Scholars are unstoppable. Some have launched their own children’s adventure TV shows, written books, mentored peers around the world, and even designed adaptable robots.
If you’re a parent reading this—get your kids involved. Every student receives a medal, but more importantly, it could change their life—and yours.
I believe big waves start with small ripples. When kids connect with nature, they fall in love with it. And when they love it, they protect it. That’s the heartbeat of Future Waves: helping the next generation dream big, dive deep, and create ripples that reach far beyond themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting Future Waves felt a little like diving into uncharted waters—thrilling, a bit nerve-racking, and definitely without a map. Luckily, I’ve had an incredible crew of volunteers, teachers, advisors, and parents helping steer the ship.
One of the first schools we supported had a STEM budget of just 25 cents per child for the whole year. Our grant transformed everything. They hosted a Future Waves Day and now have boys’ and girls’ ocean robotics teams, building underwater ROVs and discovering how fun science can be. Those same students have since won awards, presented on big stages, and inspired their whole community. It was one of those “okay, this is working” moments.
At home, I test-drive every idea with my own kids—which is both inspiring and humbling. One of our students, Emiliana, made the most amazing turtle model out of pizza boxes and now has her own children’s book series and road show. I tried to match that energy with my seven-year-old on a dolphin project… let’s just say Emiliana made it look effortless.
But that’s the beauty of it—it doesn’t have to be perfect. That’s how I approach both parenting and Future Waves. For our Challenge, all you need to do is grab your phone, learn one new thing about nature with your child, and upload a short video to FutureWavemakers.org. My son even convinced me to message the star of Dolphin Tale—and to my shock, he said yes. It turned into one of those “we actually did it!” memories we’ll never forget.
So my advice? Dive in. Say yes. Don’t overthink it. When the waves get rough, remember—they’re what make you stronger and make the big memories. The real magic happens when you keep paddling together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Future Waves puts kids at the center of change. We empower them to protect our planet through hands-on STEM, entrepreneurship, and a deep connection to nature. We’re not just teaching science—we’re helping kids think like problem-solvers, creators, and changemakers. Instead of saying, “Wow, that’s a big problem,” we ask, “What could the solution be?”
What sets us apart is our belief that kids aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow—they’re the innovators of today. Through our statewide Future Waves Challenge, students pitch their bold ideas to some of the brightest minds in science and business—leaders like Dr. Sylvia Earle, John Sculley, and Danni Washington. Their projects range from coral restoration to ocean robotics, and many have grown from small classroom ideas into movements changing their communities.
I’m most proud that Future Waves has made science feel fun, fearless, and full of wonder again. When I was a kid, science felt intimidating—something “for other people.” I wanted to change that. We make science feel like an adventure anyone can join, where curiosity matters more than perfection and every question leads to discovery.
At the end of the day, every child deserves a stage to share their ideas with the world. When we hand them the mic, they don’t just learn—they lead. That’s how one small ripple becomes a wave of change.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As Dr. Sylvia Earle often says, “Protecting the ocean is a team sport.” And we need you on the team.
The beauty of Future Waves is that everyone has a role to play. We’re building a movement that gives every child in Florida access to world-class STEM and environmental education—no matter their ZIP code or school budget. Many kids today spend less than 10 minutes outside, but over seven hours online. We’re changing that. Because when children connect with nature, depression decreases, confidence grows, and science scores soar—opening doors to future careers and opportunities that can change their lives.
Your support can change that trajectory overnight. You can adopt a school, fund a classroom, or sponsor a nature field trip so students who’ve never seen the ocean or the Everglades can experience them for the first time. You can underwrite the Future Waves Challenge, giving kids a stage to present real-world solutions to leaders in science, technology, and business. These aren’t abstract donations—they’re tangible, life-changing investments. You can see, feel, and meet the impact your gift makes.
We’re a small but mighty team creating measurable change for Florida’s kids—and we’re just getting started. We’re looking for visionary partners, families, and philanthropists who believe that empowering children today is the smartest investment in our planet’s future.
Every dollar makes a difference—and 100% of donations go directly to our programs.
Join us at FutureWavemakers.org. Together, we can make Florida the model for how a generation learns to protect—and love—the planet that sustains us all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://FutureWavemakers.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FutureWavesHQ/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureWavesHQ/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/FutureWavesHQ
- Twitter: https://x.com/Futurewaveshq
