ABOUT

MOLLY MCKINNEY

Molly McKinney was born in Towson, Maryland on October 18, 1986.

At the age of nine, McKinney began her on-camera career scuba diving with 50+ wild sharks on the children's environmental show, Aqua Kids. From 1996 - 2014, she hosted the Emmy award-winning television series and worked with countless environmental organizations including NOAA, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Sea Grant, the Make A Wish Foundation and more to educate viewers about becoming better environmental stewards and the importance of wildlife conservation.

In 2008, she graduated from the State University of New York; College at Fredonia, as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and holding a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Science.

Since 2012, she has been the host of NASA360, an Emmy award-winning television series produced by NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace.

In 2015, she became host of the Southern travel series, The Southern Weekend, a Nationally syndicated TV show owned and distributed by Raycom Media.

Since 2010, she has also worked behind the camera as an Executive Producer for clients including Lamborghini, Lowe's Home Improvement, WD40, GNC, and more.

WORK EXPERIENCE

TELEVISION

NASA360 | NASA | National Institute of Aerospace | 2013 - Present | Host

* 4 Seasons, 6 Episodes, 10+ Internet Segments

The Southern Weekend | Raycom Media | 2015 - Present | Host

* 2 Broadcast Seasons, 50+ Internet Segments

Aqua Kids | Adventure Productions | 1996 - 2014 | Host & Executive Producer

* 6 Broadcast Seasons, 120+ Episodes & Internet Segments

AWARDS

Gold TELLY Award | Boar's Head Simplicity | 2020 | Exec. Producer

Gold TELLY Award | Big Island Bike Tours Brand Essence | 2020 | Exec. Producer

Silver TELLY Award | Inside Gaming with Seagate | 2020 | Exec. Producer

Bronze TELLY Award | LaCie 2Big by RAID | 2020 | Exec. Producer

First Place: Excellence in Communication | 2018 | Producer

Gold Daytime EMMY Award | NASA360 | 2013 | Host

Gold TELLY Award | NASA360 | 2013 | Host

Gold TELLY Award | Life on A Coral Reel | 2010 | Host & Exec. Producer

First Place | Public Speaking Competition | 2008 | Speaker

Bronze TELLY Award | Estuary Life | 2007 | Host & Assoc. Producer

Bronze TELLY Award | Urban Wetlands | 2007 | Host & Assoc. Producer

Bronze TELLY Award | North Bay Adventures | 2006 | Host & Assoc. Producer

Bronze TELLY Award | National Aquarium | 2006 | Host & Assoc. Producer

Bronze TELLY Award | Aqua Kids Pilot | 2001 | Co-Host

Bronze TELLY Award | Aqua Kids Pilot | 2007 | Co-Host

Gold Daytime EMMY Award | Aqua Kids Pilot | 2007 | Co-Host

ANIMAL EXPERIENCE

Sharks | Wild | Tiger, Bull, Lemon, Nurse, Caribbean Reef

Dolphins | Wild & Captive | Spotted, Bottle-Nose

Manatees | Wild & Captive | Florida

Rays | Wild | Southern, Spotted Eagle

Primates | Wild | Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys

Turtles | Wild & Captive | Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill

Snakes | Wild & Captive | Various constrictors

Crocodiles | Captive | American Alligator, Caiman

Cats | Captive | Juvenille Tigers, Wild Jaguar Scat Research

Elephants | Captive | African

Giraffes | Captive | African

Marine | Wild & Captive | Urchins, Sea Horses, Sea Dragons, Various Fish

Special Skills

PADI Open Water Scuba Diver, 100+ dives

Conceal Carry Permit Holder

TSA Pre Check Holder

Teleprompter

Rock Climber

Snowboarder