Our Staff

Joel R. Johnson is an award-winning, executive conservation leader who was most recently Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation working on the global biodiversity extinction crisis and promoting the hopeful solution of Half-Earth. He was previously a co-founder in Admirable Devil from 2016 – 2020, an award-winning marketing firm based in Washington, DC with clients including Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, The Orvis Company, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company among others. 

Joel was Chief Marketing Officer at the nation’s largest and oldest coldwater conservation organization, Trout Unlimited from 2014 – 2016 and Senior Vice President of Strategy at GMMB, the preeminent advocacy and public affairs firm.  He has led brand strategy at advertising agencies in Chicago, New York, and London, including Spike Lee’s ad agency, Spike DDB, where he created iconic campaigns for the NBA, Pepsi, and MLB. 

He lives outside Washington, DC, is a married father, has fly-fished over 50 of America’s rivers, and has been his family’s historian for nearly 20 years. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Swarthmore College. 

Allison Alexander joined the Foundation in 2007 and works to ensure the Foundation maintains its values and fulfills its mission. She is the primary liaison for the Foundation’s federal financial assistance awards, and provides oversight of externally funded grant programs. She has more than fifteen years of experience in fundraising, public relations, and non-profit management.

A native of coastal Georgia, Allison received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Shannon Colbert has an interdisciplinary background with experience in policy, conservation, and economics. Prior to joining the Foundation in November 2013 as the Policy and Conservation Manager, Shannon served as a Communications Specialist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focusing on the agency’s efforts to assess injuries to natural resources and to restore the environment following oil spills, hazardous waste releases, and ship groundings. She has also worked in a U.S. Congressional Office, the California Natural Resources Agency, Georgia Sea Grant, and the non-profit organization, San Diego Coastkeeper. Shannon received her Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of California, San Diego and her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia

Veronica joined the Foundation in February 2021 as the Director of Finance. Veronica is a certified association executive with extensive experience serving in various capacities in the not-for-profit world. She ensures integrity of the financial information customarily accepted in the 501(c)(3) environment. She partners closely with the leadership team and will lead all initiatives to strengthen, rebuild and expand the association’s financial resources to ensure continued vitality and growth.

Prior to joining the Foundation, she held the position of Director of Finance at the Consortium of Catholic Academies, where she led the restructure, rebranding, and strategic planning for operations in the organization’s finance and human resources (HR). Veronica has devoted over 20 years serving in the not-for-profit sector, where she has gained an expansive knowledge in accounting, finance, HR, IT, endowments, and grants management.  She also gives back to the not-for-profit sector by facilitating sessions and trainings during national association meetings and events. She is also a new Board Member of The Arc – Prince George’s County.

Outside of the Foundation, Veronica enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, attending her children’s many sporting events, and planning her family’s next outdoor adventure. One of her family’s favorite past time is biking around Mackinac Island, northern Michigan, which is situated in Lake Huron.

Chip Weiskotten is the Director of Creative Strategy and Services at the Foundation, where he oversees all facets of the Foundation’s messaging and outreach operations. He develops and implements communication strategies to promote and support the Foundation’s ocean and Great Lakes conservation work in traditional and digital media. This includes social media, public relations, promotions and marketing, corporate partnership communications, brand management, internal communications and whatever mini-crisis pops up that day.

Previously, Chip worked in communications at the Wildlife Conservation Society, where he advocated for a range of wildlife conservation issues as they intersect with U.S. government funding and policy interests. Working closely with field scientists, policymakers and journalists, Chip led campaigns to conserve elephants and other frequently trafficked wildlife, as well as efforts to restore bison to the American plains.

Before that, he handled communications for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and worked as a field organizer on a Congressional campaign. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Analysis & Policy and a Master’s degree in Energy & Environmental Analysis from Boston University. Chip lives in Washington, DC and enjoys photography, hiking, maps, and spending time with his three kids.

Kelly is an accomplished nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience with global and local nonprofit organizations. She has lived near the sanctuary for more than a quarter of a century and spent much of that time advocating for its conservation and protection.

Before joining Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Kelly served as the Board Chairperson for Save Our Shores, as well as the Interim Executive Director of Save Our Shores and Save the Waves Foundation. She led the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross and was the Director of Workforce Development Services, Santa Cruz County, as well as served as a consultant to several marine conservation nonprofit start-ups. Kelly holds a law degree and worked as an attorney in Santa Cruz for many years before making the jump to full-time non-profit management.

She holds a BA from University of California, Santa Barbara and a J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law.

Dedicated to the Monterey Bay area, Kelly and her family have volunteered for numerous community organizations, including having volunteered to take children with disabilities out surfing in the sanctuary with Ride A Wave Foundation for 17 years. Kelly lives along the coast in Davenport with her husband and two sons. She is a former competitive surfer and professional high diver.

She can still often be found having “board meetings” at Steamer’s Lane.

With over 15 years of experience in development and building partnerships, Sarah is dedicated to inspiring support for our marine ecosystems. Most recently she was the Director of Innovative Philanthropy at Hope for Haiti, where she not only spearheaded all northeast fundraising campaigns but also launched the organization’s pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) project, allowing users to virtually explore a school in rural Haiti. Sarah’s commitment to service includes over two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Macedonia, followed by founding the New York City Peace Corps Association. A new SCUBA diver and avid kayaker, she also co-produces short documentaries about nature in urban environments, and is passionate about sea creatures.

Tj was recently directed the Mid-Atlantic Blue Tech Cluster committed to the development of Blue Economy businesses to advance innovative, Blue Tech climate focused solutions while promoting sustainable, equitable, and economic growth.  The goal is to foster knowledge sharing, impactful connections, and collaboration in the areas of research, innovation, commercialization, policy, and workforce development within the Blue Economy.

Tj began her career in fisheries working at Hubbs Research Institute while pursuing her Master of Marine Science at the University San Diego. She was the Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholder’s Alliance which created the first brand of responsibly harvested and traceable wild caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Wild, working to ensure people from all walks of life had equitable access to this new category of seafood.  Her recent role as the Director of Seafood Sustainability at the National Aquarium, involved creating a National Consumer Awareness Campaign stimulating consumer demand for responsible Aquaculture (farmed seafood).  From connecting sustainable commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico with conscious consumers to connecting food deserts in Baltimore with sustainable Aquaculture, Tj has 25 years of experience connecting environmental and social sustainability with economic opportunity.

Tj is a Seaweb Seafood Summit Visionary Awardee, a member of the White House Task Force for Sustainable Seafood focused on the future of Aquaculture, a Fish 2.0 Impact Advisor, serves on the Steering Committee for the Coalition for U.S. Seafood Production, a Fellow in the Seafood & Oceans Leadership Institute and holds several other board and committee duties.

When not focused on helping communities and our planet, she can be found with her amazing daughter, Bella, her adrenaline-junkie partner, Baron and their three furry rescues.

Eliza joins the Foundation after a career in entertainment marketing at National Geographic and Warner Brothers Discovery. A native of Maine, she spent much of her childhood on or near the ocean and is thrilled to bring her skills to the Foundation’s important work in preserving the oceans and Great Lakes for the future. She lives in Washington DC.

Hallie Segerman is originally from Virginia Beach, VA but has lived in the DC area for the past few decades.  She joined the Foundation in January 2022 as a Human Resources Generalist.  Prior to joining the Foundation,  she served in an HR capacity at a variety of organizations, including a public accounting firm, an ambulatory surgery center, and two non-profit associations.  She earned a B.S. in Psychology at Union College, and an M.A. in Human Resources Management at George Washington University.

Erin joined the Foundation in 2022 as the Program Operations Manager for the conservation, restoration, science, and technology mission areas. She grew up Tarpon Springs, Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Florida. Erin recently received her master’s degree in Global Sustainability with a concentration in Sustainable Tourism from the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability where her research explored scuba diving in marine protected areas and diver perceptions of sustainability in the dive industry.

Erin is a master scuba diver and certified yoga instructor. She enjoys adventures with her family, traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, boating, and of course scuba diving!

Diana (she/her/hers) joins the Foundation to serve as the Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) Manager, bringing her passion for environmental justice and experience in event planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental & Sustainability Studies from George Mason University, with a focus on equity and environmental justice.

Before joining the Foundation, Diana helped organize the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit in Cincinnati, OH, and continues to serve as a planning committee member. She kicked off her career as an Environmental Justice & Engagement Coordinator with Groundwork Ohio River Valley, working on projects that brought local communities together to tackle environmental challenges. Growing up in Hamilton, OH, just north of Cincinnati, Diana developed a deep love for both her community and the outdoors.

Diana first attended Capitol Hill Ocean Week in 2019 as an intern at The Ocean Foundation. Now, she’s excited to return, this time managing CHOW and coordinating Blue Beacon events across the country.

Cassie has a background in nonprofits having worked in Operations and Education at the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco and The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. She received her BS in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences from UCLA and her MS in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco. As a native Californian, her passion for marine conservation bloomed during her visits to the ocean, particularly the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. In 2022, Cassie took on the role of leading operations at the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Foundation, and now, as the Program Operations Manager for Conservation, Science, & Tech, she is eager to leverage her expertise to drive impactful initiatives on a broader scale.

Paul joined the Foundation in July 2024 as the Program Operations Manager, Stakeholder Engagement.  He brings a decade of experience in grantmaking and program development from working with nonprofit organizations and foundations in Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.  A graduate of Virginia Tech, Paul started his career in Richmond, VA doing grassroots environmental advocacy, working on various campaigns to protect Virginia’s natural resources and promote conservation.

Raised in North Carolina, Paul now resides in Maryland with his wife, his daughter, and his dog Roxie. He enjoys spending time in the garden, exploring local parks, and paddling around out on the water.

Gina Digiantonio is joining the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation as a Program Operations Manager for Restoration. Prior to this, Gina was a contractor for various NOAA offices, most recently as a Grants Management Specialist with the NOAA Marine Debris Program. She previously participated in the Sea Grant Knauss fellowship program as a member of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Ocean, Great Lakes, and Coastal team. Gina received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Drake University and her Master of Science in Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. During her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Carmen (they/them/theirs) joins the Foundation to serve as the Program Operations Manager for Education. Carmen’s professional career spans over 18 years in the education, non-profit, and corporate sectors. Their journey began as a classroom educator and evolved into school leadership as Director of Culture for two public charter schools in Washington, DC, serving the district’s most underserved and vulnerable communities. Carmen’s passion for service continued as they led the secondary programs as director at the non-profit Horton’s Kids supporting children and families of Anacostia.  Just prior to joining the Foundation, Carmen held the position of Chief People Officer at gc2b, a gender-affirming apparel company.   At gc2b, Carmen created and directed the philanthropic program 2bcare, which has a global presence on five continents, providing gender-affirming clothing and financial support through life-affirming community partnerships.

Carmen earned their bachelor’s in political science and secondary education from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, and their master’s in curriculum and instruction from Trinity University in Washington, DC.  Carmen, originally from Georgia, enjoys spending time with their wife, river tromping adventures, dancing, and anything regarding 90’s music.  If you ask Carmen who they are, their response is, “I am a Revolutionary of Compassion and Love. I make a positive disturbance in the places I am given.”

Megan Fraser joined the Foundation in November 2020 as part of a joint partnership between the Foundation, NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and United Way of Collier County and the Keys, to partake in Mission: Iconic Reef’s initiative to restore the Keys reef tract. Megan’s marine background is multidisciplinary in both education and experience–with research in marine diseases, genomics, and human dimensions of subsistence coastal communities, as well as established experience in the more social sciences of communications and outreach, public speaking, and project management. The Iconic Reefs initiative essentially marries these varied disciplines, enabling the most robust approach toward collective, well-researched, and sustainable reef restoration. Megan’s personal motto of ‘happy heart, happy mind, hard work,’ continues to provide the drive to seek approaches to conservation work that are evermore innovative, engaging, and forward-thinking. Prior to joining the Foundation, Megan worked in several marine environmental consultancies and volunteered in various reef restoration conferences, initiatives, and working groups. She continues active involvement in the Coral Restoration Consortium’s working groups and is a feature author for ECO Magazine.

Megan received her B.S. in Marine Science and Biology–with additional minors in Spanish and Chemistry–from the University of Miami RSMAS, during which time she also lived abroad studying the Galapagos Islands’ marine ecosystems. She then obtained a MSc in Marine Biology and Ecology from James Cook University in Australia, where she had a particular focus in applied sciences through marine management and consultancy work. At the Foundation, Megan works closely with the Policy and Conservation Director to collaboratively work towards achieving Iconic Reefs’ goals.

Diane joined the Foundation as the America the Beautiful Manager in September 2024 working to support the designation of new national marine sanctuaries that advance the America the Beautiful conservation initiative focusing on the new and expanded sanctuary sites with an emphasis on relationship-building in these communities.

Born in Florida and raised in North Carolina, Diane’s parents instilled a love for the ocean in her from a young age, putting the Blue Mind Theory into practice every chance they got. She studied tropical marine biology in Costa Rica, guided safaris in central India, advocated for and researched big cat issues globally, and worked to create meaningful spaces for youth engagement in the conservation field. She lives along the Anacostia river with her 3 rescue pups, is an experienced dog foster mom, and an avid gardener.

Before joining the Foundation, Diane took a year off to care for her Mother in hospice care who loved to scuba, sail, and relax on the beach. She has over a decade of multidisciplinary background working to further conservation through community building, policy, advocacy, and social science research. Diane worked as the National Outreach Representative for Defenders of Wildlife and on the Cory 2020 campaign previously. She completed her master’s research in Central India, focusing on human dimensions of wildlife, specifically human-tiger conflict. Diane also holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University.

As Gear Innovations Manager, Greg oversees a collaborative project to test and evaluate fishing gear to mitigate marine life entanglements in collaboration with Dungeness crab fishermen, state and federal resource agencies and other partners in California.

Greg has more than 15 years of experience supporting fisheries management and conservation initiatives, working with diverse stakeholders including fishermen, state and federal managers, non-government organizations, scientists and the concerned public. His experience includes coordinating strategic outreach and policy campaigns to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management in New England, supporting stakeholder-centered approaches to fisheries management in southern California, and working with small-scale fishermen to create community managed marine areas in Mozambique.

Greg also has experience working on commercial fishing boats as a fisheries observer in California and Alaska and served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, working on community-based coastal resources management. He holds a master’s degree in marine biodiversity and conservation from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Sheldon Jackson College in Alaska.

As the Foundation’s Communications Manager, Tess plays a key role in executing the Foundation’s messaging and outreach, with an emphasis on social media and digital presence, and supports the Director of Strategic Communications. Before joining the Foundation, she was the Programme Manager for the Sargasso Sea Commission through The Ocean Foundation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Her previous experience also includes working with Virginia Sea Grant and the Virginia Coastal Policy Center as a correspondent, and with an environmental consulting firm specializing in science communication.

Tess graduated from the College of William & Mary with a B.A. in English and minor in Marine Science through the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. She also participated in a field research course through the Bangor University School of Ocean Sciences in Wales.

Laurie VanBenschoten joined the Foundation in June 2021. Growing up, she spent her summers on the shores of Cape Cod where she developed a love for the ocean. Laurie is SCUBA certified and loves spending time in, on, and around any body of water she can find.

In her capacity as Development Manager, she supports the Foundation’s fundraising efforts through the administration and development of the Foundation’s Salesforce NPSP CRM and related systems. She is also responsible for managing partnerships, sponsorships, and incoming donations, and providing fundraising support to sanctuary sites and Foundation chapters.

Laurie is an alumna of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY where she was captain of the William Smith Rowing team and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in both Sociology and French & Francophone Studies.

Michaela Miller joined the Foundation in December 2021 as the Conservation Manager. She has a background in environmental science with experience in coastal and marine science and resource management. Prior to joining the Foundation, Michaela worked as a researcher studying regional sediment management practices and coastal erosion in Southern California for the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON). She was also the 2020 California Seagrant Fellow for the California Ocean Protection Council’s Climate Change Program where she worked on a variety of pressing coastal and marine issues in California. She also managed a marine debris removal and monitoring program on the Channel Islands with the Santa Rosa Island Research Station and has worked extensively on the Channel Islands. Michaela earned a MS in Applied Marine and Watershed Science from California State University Monterey Bay and a BS in Environmental Science from California State University Channel Islands. Michaela lives in Ventura, California with her dog Mav.

Jenny Larsen joined the Foundation in December 2021 as the Policy Manager. Growing up in South Florida and California, the ocean has always felt like home for her.

An attorney, Jenny has a background in law and policy. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a senior associate at Strategies 360 where she worked on a variety of policy issues including ocean policy.

During her time in law school Jenny worked in the Senate as a law clerk and in the House of Representatives as a legislative intern. She also held an internship as a law clerk at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a non-profit focused on mental health law and criminal justice reform.

Jenny earned a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and a BS from the University of Utah. She enjoys traveling and has a goal to visit all 63 National Parks.

Justin will be leading coordination and implementation of the Foundation’s marine debris removal projects across five sanctuaries where large marine debris including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and a plane will be extracted and disposed. Prior to joining the Foundation, Justin spent more than a dozen years working in global seafood supply chains helping a variety of stakeholders at national and international levels understand the negative environmental and social risks their seafood sourcing may have and what options they can pursue to drive positive impacts forward. This work included creating a business membership program for FishChoice which resulted in onboarding more than 600 businesses and implementing a paid participation model for the Ocean Disclosure Project. Justin’s work has been recognized through being named a Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions Fellow, as well as serving on Boards for Food Alliance and Chef’s Collaborative. Justin holds a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington and a BS in Marketing from the University of Utah. Justin lives in Olympia, WA with his family, and his happy places are fishing in rivers, paddling on the sea, and skiing in the mountains.

Matt Warham joined the Foundation in January 2024 as the Restoration Program Manager. Prior to his role at the Foundation, Matt served as the Coral Reef Initiative Coordinator for the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in the US Virgin Islands where he managed the territory’s coral reef projects and co-led the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Working Group. Matt also held roles as a 2020 California State Sea Grant Fellow with the California Ocean Protection Council’s Marine Protected Area program and as a research associate with the Sustainable Fisheries Group of the Environmental Markets Lab at UC Santa Barbara. Matthew is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara where he received Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental and Global Studies and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management.

Born in England, raised in Florida and Southern California, and with stints in the Caribbean and South Pacific, Matt found his home in the islands. Matt lives on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands with his dog Fred where he can be found limin’ on the beach, underwater diving, or tending to his beehive.

Lisa Henschel holds a B.A. in Economics from Dickinson College.  After a career in investment sales and asset management with Nuveen and Ferris, Baker Watts, she left the business world to pursue other interests and to focus on her family, volunteer opportunities, charitable fundraising and writing. Lisa served as co-chair for the 2019 and 2020 Ocean Awards Gala and served as the Gala’s chair in 2021. Lisa is the mother of two children and lives in Potomac, Maryland with her husband John, her children and a rescue Beagador named Miley.

Brittany joined the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in April 2022 as the Program Operations Coordinator. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA where she currently lives. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member during which time her primary goal was to support economic growth and engagement in her community.

Brittany has spent much of the last few years traveling around the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Through these adventures, she has discovered a lot about her interests and passions, which include ocean conservation, outdoor recreation, and cultural preservation. She has loved going to the ocean and being in the water since she was a kid on vacation with her family in Hilton Head Island. In 2020, she completed her Divemaster certification in Koh Tao, Thailand and now works as a Divemaster in Erie, PA.

When she’s not working, traveling, or scuba diving, you can find Brittany surfing, snowboarding, cooking, or listening to jazz with a glass of wine in hand.

Originally from New Jersey, JD has been obsessed with the ocean for as long as he can remember. He spent his childhood commandeering family vacations to ensure that they were somehow tied back to marine life. During his time as a Marine Science and Aquaculture/Aquarium Science student at the University of New England, he stumbled upon a coral biology course that included a trip to Belize. During his time in the waters of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), he not only discovered his true passion in life but also realized his need for a SCUBA certification. After a short surface interval, he found himself traveling back to the MBRS to work remotely within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and collect data on the untouched reefs found off of its coastline.

It was during his time in Mexico that he discovered the endless amounts of threats reef systems face and the need for community engagement, which sparked his interest to dive deeper into the field of coral restoration. Throughout his career as a coral reef biologist, JD has worked extensively around the globe: co-founding a coral restoration nonprofit (Marine Conservation Costa Rica) in Quepos, Costa Rica, managing the intern/volunteer programs at the Coral Restoration Foundation, and facilitating various forms of marine research at the Keys Marine Laboratory. JD is thrilled to be a part of the National Marine Sanctuary where he will oversee the Mission Icon Reef Guardians Program, empowering members of the Florida Keys community to take part in reef restoration efforts whilst subsequently creating stewards for these vital ecosystems.”

Cortney joined the Foundation in March 2023 after 5 years of working in the dive industry in the Florida Keys. Her work focused heavily on promoting conservation initiatives through hands-on experiences for the local community. These community projects included monthly marine debris removal efforts, monthly coral outplanting events, annual wetsuit recycling events, sea turtle rescues and many more. 

Cortney received an MS in Conservation Biology from Green Mountain College where she focused her studies on the conservation of Florida marine animals and habitats. She attributes her specific love for the Florida Keys Reefs to the amazing community of conservationists that call the Keys home. She is thrilled to work with this amazing group of people and help to create more passionate guardians of the ocean, allowing the beautiful Florida Keys ecosystem to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Maddy Jimenez-Andersen joined the Foundation in May 2023 as the Multimedia Communications Coordinator and is responsible for supporting the communications team, with an emphasis on visual media and digital communications. Previously, Maddy was an Industry and Innovations Fellow at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, an Education and Science Communication Explorer-in-Training at NOAA, and a videography intern at the Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Additionally, Maddy has experience in website development, digital media, and video production and has produced content for multiple brands and organizations.

Maddy earned her B.S. and M.S. in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, specializing in coral reef and kelp forest conservation. She found her love for science communication, outreach, and digital media through the interdisciplinary nature of academia and as a part of Scripps’s Marine Biodiversity and Conservation team.

Maddy lives on her sailboat in San Diego and is an avid surfer, diver, and sailor. Her favorite place to engage in all these activities is the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Her goal is to utilize the power of media and visual storytelling to communicate science and conservation efforts across our ocean and waterways.

Kaiya McGhaw joined the Foundation in August 2023 as a Program Operations Coordinator with the Marine Debris Program. Although she was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and lived in Montgomery County, MD as a child, she relocated to Madison, Alabama nearly 15 years ago with her family where she currently resides. 

Kaiya earned her BS in Marine Biology from Auburn University. While pursuing her bachelors, she interned with the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network where she participated in research, recovery and necropsy of stranded dolphins and manatees off the coast of Alabama. To broaden her experience and understanding of fundamental environmental regulations, the public policy process, and science communication strategies, Kaiya pursued her MS in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the College of Charleston. Participating in an interdisciplinary masters program allowed her to view the issues impacting marine and environmental conservation from a more holistic perspective that considers human motivators, scientific factors, economic impacts, and politics. Kaiya is passionate about investigating the economic, cultural, and political hindrances impacting marine conservation and finding holistic, innovative solutions to these problems.

In her spare time, you can find Kaiya reading a murder mystery book, attending a pottery class or searching for new exotic, non-native fruits to try.    

Andrea works with NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Alumni Association (TASAA) providing professional development in marine technology to educators across the country. She taught in the upper elementary classroom for over fifteen years in schools stateside and abroad. 

In 2012, Andrea participated in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program, sailing on NOAA Ship Oregon II for a groundfish survey. In 2015, she sailed as an alum on NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson for a pollock survey. In 2021, she joined the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association to pilot a new program—the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association NOAA Fellowship. After Andrea’s fellowship concluded, she stayed on with the Alumni Association to continue engaging educators in remotely operated vehicle (ROV) professional development as part of the Project ROVe program she created. 

Andrea is passionate about experiential education and in 2017, was awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching grant, through which she spent six months in Finland researching project-based learning and STEM education. She developed Project ROV in collaboration with scientific research stations in Finland and has built underwater ROVs with her students in the United States and Germany.

Bringing her experiences full circle, she developed Project ROVe, a professional development program in marine technology for educators. Project ROVe gives educators the knowledge and confidence to learn about  marine technology and implement place-based STEM projects in their classrooms. Since its inception in January 2022, Project ROVe has reached over 4,000 students  from across the country by providing support to 30 teachers through online and in-person courses. 

Andrea graduated from the University of San Diego with degrees in education and German and received her Master’s in Educational Technology and Leadership from The George Washington University. Andrea loves to stay active by hiking, kayaking, exploring tide pools, and camping. She joined the scuba community 5 years ago and never misses an opportunity to get her fins wet. 

Prior to joining the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, I held the position of Account Receivables/Tuition collection at the Consortium of Catholic Academies, where I managed enrollment, Tuition accounts collection for four Catholic Schools in the District of Columbia, worked with the organization’s finance team department receiving and distributing grants, also work closely with a government agency that provide scholarship funding for low-income families to ensure accuracy of scholarships payment. I have worked in the non-profit sector seven years under the finance department, previously to working in the accounting sector I worked in hospitality industry where I achieve my Executive Chef Title while working as a chef, In the culinary industry in this field is where I gained knowledge in budgets, and financials management.

Outside of the work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children doing outdoor activities such as gardening, making flower arrangements, my most favorite thing to do is travel with the family and friends.

A NOAA Teacher at Sea Alum herself (NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, 2013), Britta Culbertson has served as the Teacher at Sea Alumni Association Manager for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation since 2019. Britta brings over 20 years of education experience to her position, including her time as a public high school science and visual arts teacher. Britta also served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at NOAA’s Office of Education in Washington, DC. This fellowship marked her transition from being a classroom teacher to supporting educators. Following her fellowship, she worked at The Nature Conservancy, where she designed and produced lessons, videos, and virtual field trips. Britta has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a minor in Art Studio and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Education, both from the University of New Mexico.

Britta is fortunate to live in Washington State near the waters of the Salish Sea and the natural wonders it holds—which inspire her creative work as an artist, metalsmith, and lapidarist outside of her work at the Foundation.

Patricia grew up with Monterey Bay as the backdrop to many of her childhood adventures. After graduating from San Francisco State University, she spent several years managing health clinics and building corporate wellness programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. She then went on to manage operations for startups in the consumer-packaged goods and e-commerce marketing sectors in Texas and Oregon. After working and volunteering with nature-based organizations like Forest Park Conservancy and the Surfrider Foundation during her time in the Pacific Northwest, she realized her mission of environmental protection and conservation, in any capacity, extended to the same waters and coastline she knows best. Patricia is happy to be back home in Monterey and is committed to continuing this mission alongside Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the community that raised her.

Outside of the office, you can find Patricia running the Monterey Bay Coastal rec trail or through the Forest of Nisene Marks, planning her next backpacking trip, or hanging out with her dogs, Cooper and Caramel.

Before joining NMSF, Nancy Donnelly spent her career writing, producing, and directing impactful, mission-based visual stories primarily for National Geographic. She has been nominated for several national News/Documentary Emmy awards, including for outstanding scientific, technology, and nature programming and outstanding informational programming. Nancy also teaches multimedia journalism at George Mason University.

Virginia Comer serves as the Major Gifts Officer at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, where she builds meaningful relationships with supporters to advance the Foundation’s mission.

Virginia was born in New Orleans and raised along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she developed a deep appreciation for America’s incredible coasts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Auburn University and gained valuable experience with development teams at the New Orleans Museum of Art, Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and Auburn University.

Virginia’s career took her to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville, where she served in development roles focused on corporate giving, donor cultivation, and fundraising events. She then joined The Land Trust for Tennessee, a statewide conservation organization, where she led the organization’s fundraising, events, and communications as Director of Development & Engagement.

Virginia lives in Maryland and enjoys cooking and exploring nearby trails with her husband and their rescue dog, Molly.

Jamie McIntosh joined the Foundation in May 2024 as the Development Assistant and will be supporting all members of the development team in her role. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Food systems. Their previous experiences include Development and Communications intern at the Berkeley Food Network, Government Affairs intern at Giffords, and Development intern at Brady.

Jamie moved to D.C. from the San Francisco Bay Area. During their free time, Jamie enjoys cooking and baking, embroidery, yoga, and hiking. She treasures her experience growing up a block away from the beach in Half Moon Bay and is excited to work towards the preservation of National Marine Sanctuaries like Monterey Bay, which she calls home.

Having recently relocated from the East Coast, Corinne is delighted to dive deeply into her new community and support a local cause with global impact. Joining the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to support the passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our coastal environment and protecting local marine life. Always drawn to the ocean, and now to Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay area, embracing this cause has deepened her appreciation for the region’s unique natural beauty and has underscored the importance of community-driven conservation efforts. Corinne’s dynamic background spans creative design work and high-level operations and administration, with experience in big tech and the hospitality industry in New York City and Paris.

Laakea Laano has lived along coastlines all over the U.S., from Long Island to Santa Cruz to the Windward side of Oahu. This proximity has fostered her lifelong relationship with the ocean, which she has experienced through surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing.

Laakea holds Bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences (from the University of Vermont) and Graphic Design & Digital Media (from Academy of Art University). She has worked at non-profits serving the environment, healthcare, and housing in Honolulu, with roles in marketing and events. She was also, briefly, a teacher at a public charter school in Honolulu, where she taught math and Hawaiian language in a multi-grade classroom (grades 7-12), using an experiential learning model. Highlights of her time there include the privilege of chaperoning a student trip to Tahiti to collect water samples for environmental organization Kai Makana, and spending time on a teachers’ retreat with master navigator “Papa Mau” Piailug.

In her free time, Laakea volunteers at a wildlife rehab hospital in the Bay Area and enjoys hiking, camping, road trips with family & friends, and kayaking. She also devotes time to art and design projects on the side and is an avid reader. She tries, and fails, to stay one step ahead of her rascally Jack Russell Terrier

Gillian joined the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in July 2024 as Program Operations Coordinator. Her role includes supporting new sanctuary designations and other sanctuary community engagement projects. Prior to joining the Foundation, Gillian worked at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums analyzing and managing member conservation, research, and sustainability data, and administering their granting and other conservation programs. Before that, she began her work with non-profits as a conservation science intern with Defenders of Wildlife.

Gillian earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with an honors designation in Biological Science Research for her research utilizing bioacoustics from Florida Atlantic University. As an undergraduate, she also supported research with sea turtle hatchlings at FAU’s Marine Lab where she discovered her passion for wildlife conservation and the important work that is maintaining healthy waters.

Growing up surrounded by the beaches and shorebirds of South Florida, Gillian now resides in Washington DC.

My name is Mariaemilia Cortez-Torres, but I go by Emely. Born in Santa Cruz and raised in Watsonville, CA, I attended all my K-12 schooling in Watsonville.  I then  attended San Jose State University for a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.S. in Communications and Media. I have over 5 years of experience working with local schools to help conserve and restore the environment.

During high school I interned with Watsonville Wetlands Watch as a Wetland Steward. In this position, I took students to the sloughs/wetlands and taught them about fresh water and how to conserve our local resources and do monthly restorations.

My first real career job was working for the City of Watsonville Public Works team as a Bilingual Conservation Education Specialist, working with K-12 students and over 38 schools in the county. Not only have I worked on educating students about wildlife and sloughs, but I also received the opportunity to lead and host compost workshops and give more than 500 backyard compost bins and buckets. I’ve led about 70 beach clean-ups with high school students and for programs for the Nature Center in Watsonville. I’ve provided youth development for 400+ students at elementary, middle, and high schools.

Now working at the exploration center, I am eager and excited to see what opportunities I can provide to other communities and young people. I am the new Bilingual Education Specialist. I will help with duties in the sanctuary but also bring schools from Watsonville and offer our education programs to the students.

In my free time I enjoy going kayaking, camping, hiking, gardening, and watching sunsets.

April Van Gilder joined the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in October 2023 as the HR Assistant. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked in both the medical and customer service fields. Outside of work, April enjoys spending time with her husband and her six rescue cats.