Ceili Chilcott

Céili is a licensed captain, expedition guide and outdoor educator whose career spans vessel operations, environmental education, photography, conservation ecology and leadership development. Her professional experience bridges land- and sea-based programs, combining leadership, logistics and interpretation in a wide range of field settings.

Her interest in conservation and environmental stewardship led her to an interdisciplinary course of study that included conservation biology, geography, ecology, environmental studies, sustainability, anthropology and geopolitics. During college, she pursued outdoor leadership training while working as a photographer, experiential educator and trip leader. An introduction to educational sailing programs expanded her focus from the mountains to the marine environment and opened new opportunities in expedition travel, research support and outdoor education.

After earning her captain's license, Céili contributed to educational and research initiatives in remote regions around the world. Her work has supported projects and programs associated with organizations including NOAA, NASA, ORCA and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). She has extensive experience navigating the waters of the eastern Pacific from Alaska to Cape Horn, the Arctic, Northwest Passage, eastern United States, Caribbean, New Zealand, South Pacific, Kimberley region of Australia, Amazon, South Atlantic and Southern Ocean, including the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands.

Photography and outdoor leadership remain central to her work, providing opportunities to connect people with places and encourage observation, curiosity and engagement with the natural world through firsthand experience.