The Nature Conservancy?s Marine Fellowship Program is a two year program that focuses on assisting individuals to develop technical and leadership skills for marine conservation. The Program exposes the participant to a wide range of marine conservation topics, helps them develop key professional networks, and exposes them to many leaders in marine conservation. It is the objective of the Fellowship Program to develop young conservation professionals who will be able to fill future needs for marine conservation leadership. My experience with the Marine Fellowship Program provided me with knowledge, contacts, and skills to strengthen my leadership abilities. The Program also helped me to identify areas for professional growth so that I can contribute meaningfully towards conservation efforts in Hawai?i. In my current role as a geospatial processor with NOAA?s Pacific Services Center, I have the opportunity to take what I learned in the Program and apply it by developing data visualizations to help the public interact and better understand scientific data collected by NOAA and other partners. The most important lesson I have learned during my fellowship experience is the power of collaboration, whether in the field with others or creating data products that will provide the best future for our Hawai?i.