Accepting Applications 1-30 September 2019 Join The 2020 PADI AmbassaDiver Team Apply Now Meet Our 2019 Team 2020 PADI AmbassaDiver Program PADI created the AmbassaDiver program to help amplify the stories of divers who inspire others to love and care for our ocean planet. These individuals elevate diving in their communities and across the planet, encouraging more people to pursue their passions or follow their dreams to explore, protect and experience the underwater world. PADI AmbassaDivers are part of a team of passionate individuals who look to be a motivating force in their communities – online and in person. Want to Join the 2020 PADI AmbassaDiver Team? Kiersten Rich Born in California, now based in Cape Town, South Africa, Kiersten Rich started blogging in 2012 after leaving her career in corporate wealth management. While supporting a literacy project in Bolivia, she launched The Blonde Abroad, a solo female travel blog. In the years since, she’s traveled to more than 70 countries (scuba diving in many of them) and has amassed nearly one million followers. She aims to inspire female travelers all over the globe to explore the earth from land to sea. Roberto Ochoa Marine wildlife videographer Roberto Ochoa is committed to the protection and preservation of the ocean environment and all marine life. Documenting the beauty of our world’s oceans, Ochoa has worked on assignment for magazines and organizations such as Ministerio del Turismo del Ecuador, GoPro, Cressi, Galapagos Sky, PADI, Cousteau Divers, Discover Sharks, National Geographic and countless publications worldwide. His personal mission is to use his videos – which are often highly emotional, evocative and very beautiful – to ignite a conversation about the future of our planet’s natural wonders and inspire action. Song-Hyun Choi Song-Hyun Choi debuted as an actress in her native Korea in 2006, and has since appeared in numerous Korean TV shows and movies. Song fell in love with scuba diving in 2012 during a short vacation from a heavy filming schedule for a TV show, and the ocean has been a healing shelter for her ever since – she feels revitalized whenever she reconnects with scuba diving and and the marine animals. Apply Now Meet Our 2019 Team Meet: Ernst van der Poll Ernst founded Tawasul, the very first marine-themed, place based experiential learning program in the region. The program engaged more than 2,000 kids from 2002 to 2011, many of whom are studying marine sciences now. He was also appointed personal diving instructor and safety officer for the Crown Prince of Dubai and worked with Palestinian refugees with physical disabilities. He founded ConnectOcean and one of the first all-ability diving programs in Central America, helping people with life changing injuries to enjoy the Ocean through scuba diving. It is my mission that through passion and education I can ignite the fire in others that will bring about change. Earnst van der Poll, PADI Course Director Read More Meet: Pangea Seed Tre' Packard (PADI Divemaster) and Akira Biondo (PADI Rescue Diver) are the founders of PangeaSeed Foundation, an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower individuals and communities to create meaningful environmental change for oceans through ARTIVISM, EDUCATION, and SCIENCE. Through the organization's pioneering Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans program, they have created over 300 public murals in 14 countries addressing pressing ocean environmental issues. People protect what they love, so by utilizing art and activism as creative tools, we have the opportunity to educate and inspire individuals and communities to become better ocean stewards, and ultimately to help solve the mounting issues affecting our oceans. Tre' Packard, PADI Divemaster Read More We Are Community. Uniting the World's largest tribe of divers. PADI is committed to unifying divers around the globe who share a passion for adventure and love for the ocean.