Lisa Kelley

A committed member of the polar expedition industry since 2000, Lisa has worked as an undersea specialist, logistics coordinator, dive master and expedition leader in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. She began contributing to IAATO’s mission and vision 21 years ago when she first represented operators at the association’s 2004 annual meeting. She has also served as station manager at Palmer Station for the United States Antarctic Program during the austral winter of 2010. She is a board member for FOSGI (Friends of South Georgia Island). 

Lisa joined IAATO full-time in 2016, taking responsibility for the field operations aspect of the organisation and developing industry best practices and guidelines for operations in the field. Since then, she has led IAATO Member Operations and Government Affairs, including heading up IAATO’s delegation at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. She became Deputy Executive Director in 2020 and Executive Director in 2024.

Lisa's vast experience of diving "the Ice" led to her publishing Below Freezing: The Antarctic Dive Guide in 2006, now in its third edition. Her underwater experience and exploration of the Polar Regions led to her acceptance into the Explorers Club.