Packard grew up in the Santa Clara Valley in Northern California, where she rode horses and explored nature on the extensive grounds of San Felipe Ranch each weekend.

Packard spent much time outdoors, and was always very curious; as a student at University of California, Santa Cruz, her biology professor said she "was able to synthesize and ask great questions.

Her most fond experiences as a student were early mornings wearing hip waders, combing through algae and animals of the intertidal zone.

[6] Her sister, Nancy Burnett, also has a degree in marine biology, and her father helped design the facility's infrastructure.

Among other publications, Packard has written opinion pieces for The New York Times and The Boston Globe (with John Kerry).

[16][17] Packard was granted an honorary Doctor of Science degree by California State University, Monterey Bay in "recognition of her many accomplishments as an ocean conservationist".