Rep. Mike Levin Honors Encinitas Residents Cheryl H. Dean, Esq. & Nick Dean, Ph.D. as His August 2026 Co-Constituents of the Month
Cheryl H. Dean, Esq & Nick Dean, Ph.D.
Encinitas, CA—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) named Encinitas residents Cheryl H. Dean, Esq., and Nick Dean, Ph.D. as his August 2026 Co-Constituents of the Month for their work as documentary filmmakers bringing global attention to ocean conservation and the plight of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
Nick and Cheryl are the co-founders of Spindrift Images, LLC, an independent documentary production company that has spent over a decade telling stories about the ocean, its wildlife, and the people whose lives are tied to it.[1] The BBC and the United Nations World Wildlife Day Film Showcase are among the outlets that have spotlighted their work, a reflection of the international audience their films have built.
Nick spent 25 years as a research scientist before turning to filmmaking in 2010. Cheryl has spent her career translating complex research for public audiences and has led San Diego's underwater photography community, serving as president of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition since 2015.
In 2025, the couple founded the Spindrift Images Foundation to lead conservation campaigns protecting the North Atlantic right whale, a species clinging to survival with fewer than 400 animals left worldwide. Their latest film, The Right Whale: Tales of Resilience and Hope, is the product of six years of production and travel spanning four continents, capturing footage everywhere from remote whale nurseries in the far south to some of the world's most heavily trafficked commercial waters.
Through their combined expertise in science and storytelling, Nick and Cheryl Dean have turned their filmmaking into a platform for conservation advocacy, helping inspire public action to protect marine ecosystems around the world.
See below for Rep. Levin's statement recognizing Nick and Cheryl Dean in the Congressional Record:
“Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Nick and Cheryl Dean, residents of Encinitas, as my Co-Constituents of the Month for August 2026.
“For more than a decade, Nick and Cheryl have used the power of film to bring the wonders of the ocean, and the dangers facing it, into homes around the world. Their dedication took them across four continents over six years to document the North Atlantic right whale, a species with fewer than 400 animals left on Earth.
“Nick's background as a research scientist and Cheryl's gift for communicating science to the public have made them uniquely effective storytellers and advocates. Their foundation's work protecting the right whale and defending critical conservation laws reflects a deep commitment to our planet's future.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Nick and Cheryl Dean for their extraordinary contributions to ocean conservation and environmental storytelling.”
ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM:
Rep. Levin’s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin’s July 2026 Constituent of the Month was Michaelle Jinnette, who turned a devastating diagnosis into a worldwide effort to bring research and hope to families facing rare KCNH1-related disorders. Levin’s June 2026 Co-Constituents of the Month were Oceanside Residents Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros, both exhibit extraordinary dedication to supporting the LGBTQ community in North County San Diego.