Serena Sanders graduated from Frankston High School in 1977.  She completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology in 1981 with Honours in Marine Zoology.

Serena has worked as a consultant on various projects including the Australian Pearling Exhibition at the base of Darwin Wharf, Pearl Luggers of Broome, Indigenous Aquaculture Working Groups off Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands, Ministerial Advisory Committees and private pearling workshops before sharing ownership in Queensland South Sea Pearl Company. 

After 30 years up north, Serena now lives back on the Mornington Peninsula and has opened a Sirene Sea Pearls shop in Dromana.

Serena came back to school to address an assembly in 2013.