Empowering Communities to Protect Their Ocean
OUR
TEAM
The Waitt Institute is based in La Jolla, California, with international teams and partners all over the globe. Providing a wide variety of expertise, the Waitt Institute works in partnership with committed governments, local stakeholders and communities to implement sustainable ocean plans around the globe.
PROGRAMS
TEAM
Senior Director, Programs
Program Director
Program Manager
Program Manager
Program Manager
Program Manager
SUBJECT
TEAMS
BLUE ECONOMY
Strategic Partnerships Director
Blue Economy Director
Blue Economy Manager
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
Sustainable Fisheries Director
Sustainable Fisheries Manager
MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING
Marine Spatial Planning Director
Marine Spatial Planning Manager
Marine Spatial Planning Technical Manager
SCIENCE
Science Director
Science Manager
Science Manager
Science Fellow
COMMUNICATIONS
Media & Communications Director
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Creative Communications Manager
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Communications Fellow
EXPEDITIONS
TEAM
Director of Special Projects
Special Projects Coordinator & Dive Safety Officer
ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
TEAM
Senior Director, Administration
Assistant Director
PROGRAM
LEADERS
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Blue Azores
Supporting Partner, Oceano Azul Foundation
Barbuda
Supporting Partner, barbudanGO
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Blue Prosperity Fiji
Noo Raajje
Maldives
Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme
Samoa Ocean Strategy
Supporting Partner, Conservation International
Blue Prosperity Micronesia
Supporting Partner, Micronesia Conservation Trust
Tonga
Key Partner,
Vava'u Environmental Protection Association
LEADERSHIP
Kathryn Mengerink, J.D. Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Kathryn Mengerink leads a team of ocean experts in developing and implementing blue prosperity programs, including marine spatial planning and blue economy projects. She works in partnership with governments, NGOs, and ocean experts across the globe. Kathryn brings more than 20 years of ocean expertise to her work combining marine science, law and policy to inform decision making.
Previously, she founded and led the Environmental Law Institute’s Ocean Program for ten years. Under her leadership, the Ocean Program launched a number of law and policy projects related to ecosystem-based ocean management, marine spatial planning, fisheries management and enforcement, ocean and coastal restoration, marine protection, deep seabed mining and more. During this time, Kathryn also served as a lecturer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and an advisor to its Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation.
Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University, Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a J.D. with a certificate in Environmental Law from University of California, Berkeley.
Josh Sherer
Chief Financial Officer
Josh joined Avalon Capital Group in 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer. He provides leadership, direction and management of the finance and accounting team at both the Waitt Foundation and the Waitt Institute. As CFO, Josh also oversees the financial forecasting and budgeting process, providing strategic recommendations to the CEO, president and members of the management team. Additional responsibilities include overseeing preparation of all financial reporting along with tax planning and compliance.
Josh's background includes 19 years of combined public and private accounting experience. Prior to joining Avalon Capital, he was the Chief Financial Officer for a global clothing manufacturer with operations primarily in North and Central America. Josh has a Masters of Business Administration, a license in Chartered Global Management Accounting, and his Certified Public Accountant license in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.
PROGRAMS
TEAM
Ute Zischka
Senior Director, Programs
Ute oversees the Waitt Institute’s programs in the Caribbean and the Federated States of Micronesia where she works with governments, NGOs and researchers to safeguard ocean resources and grow blue economies. Ute also serves as the Social Sciences Director, helping to design and manage research related to socioeconomics, human attitudes and behavior, and sustainable finance.
Ute brings experience in conservation, international development and program evaluation to the Waitt Institute. Prior to joining the Institute in 2016, she worked for the research and evaluation firm Opinion Dynamics conducting surveys, interviews and quantitative analyses to inform policymaking. Ute also spent five years at the University of Queensland managing research to advance healthy oceans, food security, clean energy and sustainable water. Ute holds an undergraduate degree in Communications and Politics from Maximilians University Munich, a Certificate in Quantitative Policy Analysis, and a master’s in Environmental Policy from UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy.
Robin Ramdeen
Program Director
Originally from the Caribbean, Robin serves as the Site Manager for Barbuda as well as the Program Director for the Maldives. Her focus is on managing government relationships and encouraging the involvement of local partners to advance marine spatial planning and sustainable fisheries activities.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Robin worked as an MPA management assistant for Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA in Carriacou, Grenada. She also worked as a research assistant for Dr. Daniel Pauly and the Sea Around Us project where she played a lead role in documenting illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries catches in the Caribbean islands. Robin holds a master’s degree in Coastal and Marine Resource Management from the University of the West Indies in Barbados.
Zara Currimjee
Program Manager
Zara manages the Waitt Institute’s program in the Federated States of Micronesia, where she works with government and NGO stakeholders to protect their ocean and advance the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning.
Zara was born and raised in Mauritius, and has always made the ocean a way of life. She has a M.A. in Ocean and Coastal Resource Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a B.A. in Environmental Biology from Williams College. Both her masters and undergraduate studies have propelled her to lead meaningful ocean advocacy work. This includes working for Oceana conducting feasibility studies and fundraising for new offices, campaigning against harmful fisheries subsidies, and most recently managing Oceana’s Office of the CEO. She also produced an award-winning documentary advocating for the first national seasonal fishing closure in Mauritius and led the design of the Waitt Institute’s approach to sustainable finance assessment in Montserrat and Curacao.
Juliana Herrera Correal
Program Manager
Born in Colombia and raised in Costa Rica, Juliana joined the Waitt Institute as the Program Manager for Blue Azores. In this role, she collaborates with the Regional Government of the Azores and the Oceano Azul Foundation to work towards implementation of Marine Protected Areas and improvement of fisheries management in the Azores.
Juliana started her career as an observer on board of commercial shrimp trawlers, as well as collecting fishery-independent and -dependent data onboard of small-scale gillnet and longline boats along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Juliana led the revision of the Capture Fisheries Standard at Fair Trade USA and worked as a Fishery Improvement Project reviewer at FishChoice. She holds a BS in Biology from the University of Costa Rica, and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Management focused on Coastal Marine Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara.
Cory Pukini
Program Manager
Cory manages enforcement and compliance initiatives for the Waitt Institute’s portfolio of sites and works to build key partnerships to advance the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning. He also supports the growth of relationships with government officials and local stakeholders at program sites and facilitates synergy among projects.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Cory worked as the California Conservation Manager at Wildcoast, specializing in coastal and marine conservation and marine protected area (MPA) management. Cory is a former chair of the San Diego County MPA collaborative where he, for five years led a MPA enforcement and compliance working group across the state of California for five years and has developed conservation policy to strengthen MPA management through the California legislature. Cory also brings a wealth of conservation science experience through his former work with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Utah Department of Natural Resources, and California State University, Chico. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with an option in Applied Ecology and a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences from California State University, Chico where he specialized in MPA and fisheries research.
Alison Rowe
Program Manager
Alison manages the Blue Prosperity Vanuatu program, a partnership between the government of the Republic of Vanuatu and the Waitt Institute. She spends part of her time in Vanuatu working directly with government officials and local stakeholders to advance Marine Spatial Planning, grow the Blue Economy, and support sustainable fisheries initiatives.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Alison directed an interdisciplinary graduate course in marine biodiversity and conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She taught students from all over the world and fostered an inclusive, collaborative learning environment. Alison was awarded a 2021 California Sea Grant State Fellowship with the Ocean Conservation Policy Team at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She managed a campaign to rally nationwide support for increased marine protection and advocated for science-based ocean management at the state and federal levels. Alison is an accomplished educator, with over a decade of teaching experience. She began her career as a high school science teacher and went on to lead strategic planning and execution of college access programs. Alison holds an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of the Pacific and a master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.
SUBJECTS
TEAMS
Dr. Angus Friday
Strategic Partnerships Director
Dr. Angus Friday supports the Blue Economy team by leading efforts to build a network of influencers, contacts, collaborators, and strategic partners to advance within each Blue Prosperity partner country. This includes engaging institutions and organizations, fostering relationships, and facilitating effective collaboration to ensure better alignment with the objectives of Blue Prosperity programs. Dr. Friday joined the Waitt Institute in 2020 and founded the Blue Economy pillar. Over the past three years, he has led the development of Blue Economy strategies across BPC initiatives to sustainably grow ocean economies.
He is an accomplished Blue Economy leader and practitioner, having served as the World Bank’s Ocean Representative and having worked with the Dutch Government and FAO in establishing the Global Blue Growth Network. Dr. Friday also played a leading role in developing the Blue Grenada Program which included the development of a Blue Growth Master Plan and the establishment of the Blue Innovation Institute; all of which contributed to the World Bank’s “First Fiscal Resilience and Blue Growth Development Policy Credit” with $30 million in concessional financing for Grenada under IDA-18.
As a diplomat, he served as Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States, Mexico and Canada and also as Grenada’s Ambassador to the United Nations. A qualified medical doctor with an MBA, Dr. Friday brings a wide perspective on the interconnected nature of business, health, and international economic policy.
Noah Greenberg
Blue Economy Director
Noah has 20 years of experience in environmental sustainability, most recently as Director of Starling Resources, a Bali-based environmental consulting group. During his 11 years in this position, Noah worked with governments, communities, the private sector and international funders and experts, overseeing a global portfolio of projects focusing on the financing, strategy, capacity, communities, and policy underpinning conservation and sustainable natural resource stewardship. He led and supported several projects focused on financial planning for marine conservation throughout the Asia Pacific region, including in the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Kiribati, Palau, Seychelles and more. Noah was also involved in the establishment of a first-of-its kind public service agency for conservation management, conservation trust fund design, forestry concession valuation, and the establishment of multi-stakeholder fisheries management committees.
Prior to joining Starling Resources, Noah played a key role in a carbon credit development startup, managing a wholly-owned subsidiary based in Delhi, India. While working towards his MBA at the University of Maryland, Noah focused on finance and gathered experience in sustainable business and environmental markets, supporting a biodiesel startup and a sustainable forestry project. After receiving his MBA, Noah joined Environmental Defense Fund where he gained broad experience in carbon market structure and pricing, and REDD markets. Originally from the Boston area, Noah received his BA from the University of Wisconsin, where he founded a student-labor coalition. In his spare time, he enjoys hitting the trails with sneakers, wheels or a board, and playing or listening to music.
Asia Williams
Blue Economy Manager
Asia supports the Waitt Institute’s work in helping nations design and implement sustainable Blue Economy strategies to support long-term ocean health, job creation and community wellbeing. She is a certified Project Manager (PMP) who worked as the Blue Economy Consultant for the Branson Centre, supporting Blue Economy entrepreneurs to access grants, finance and training opportunities to grow their businesses. As part of this project, she also worked in partnership with the InterAmerican Development Bank to assess how to diversify the tourism sector and make it more environmentally sustainable. She also worked as the Project Management Office Lead for the Digicel Finance 'Powered Finance' Programme across the Caribbean and Latin America Markets.
Focused on Sustainable Infrastructure development in the UK, Asia worked on affordable housing and public transport programmes; ensuring effective community engagement and BREEAM sustainability compliance. Asia has significant Programme management experience from working with Central Government and the Environment Agency to support their flood risk mitigation programme across the UK and ensure that finances were brought forward for flood defence schemes identified as needed in future based on climate change modelling. She has also worked to ensure Sustainable Urban Drainage principles were integrated into new schemes coming forward. She took this knowledge to Jamaica where she supported UN-Habitat on a flood risk and waste management scheme in Montego Bay. Asia has also supported Commonwealth Climate Change Network in engaging young people on climate change and raising awareness of impacts to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and at COP25 and COP24 negotiations, hosting intergenerational climate dialogues with Commonwealth members.
John Weber
Marine Spatial Planning Director
John Weber is a planning and policy expert with more than 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions to further ocean conservation and spatial planning for communities. As MSP Director, he delivers technical support nations need to achieve comprehensive marine spatial plans for sustainable ocean management.
John has led and developed comprehensive ocean plans in the Northeast United States, working to ensure the efforts were transparent, inclusive of all stakeholders, and based on the best available science and data. Previously, he served as the director for the U.S. Northeast Regional Ocean Council, a partnership of New England states, federal agencies, and Native American tribes that collaborated on the 2016 Northeast Ocean Management Plan to advance management of ocean activities and protect marine habitats. He was the Ocean Program Manager for the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, where he managed the development and implementation of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. John has a B.S. in Coastal Geology from Long Island University and an M.S. in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University.
Emily Stokes
Marine Spatial Planning Manager
Emily manages marine spatial planning projects across Waitt Institute portfolios in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. She works to facilitate collaborative, equitable and open planning processes that lead to strong spatial protections and sustainable management.
Emily has over eight years of experience in program management, environmental campaigning and advocacy, resource management, and underwater research methodologies. Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Emily worked at the Pew Charitable Trusts campaigning to create large-scale marine protected areas in Ecuador, Mexico, and New Zealand. She has also worked in invasive species management, environmental education and as a research assistant and dive master. Emily has a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Resource Management from Western Washington University and an M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
John Kaitu’u
Marine Spatial Planning Technical Manager
John Kaitu’u has joined the Waitt Institute as a Marine Spatial Planning Technical Manager. In this role, he will assist partners in mapping and managing Marine Spatial Planning data and activities across their ocean space, helping them navigate national priorities through an informed decision-making process.
John describes himself as a simple farmer and fisherman who loves the ocean and shares a passion for conservation. He believes that there is a strong need for a balance between economic growth and conservation of natural resources, and that marine data analysis provides the tools to achieve this goal.
John has Marine Spatial Planning experience across Oceania, including in Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, and aspires to use these many experiences and lessons learned to build capacity and achieve progress on the Waitt Institute team.
Andy Estep
Science Director
Andy’s work is focused on building a science program for the Waitt Institute’s initiatives that supports the needs of marine spatial planning and marine protected area network monitoring while also meeting global standards and the needs of local governments and communities. Since joining the organization in 2014, he has supported marine spatial planning and implementation through a wide variety of activities such as expeditions, assessments, workshops, and geospatial analyses.
Andy has extensive experience in creating portfolios of science-based projects to support marine spatial planning and the designation and placement of marine protected areas using standardized methodologies. Andy’s scientific expertise spans marine spatial planning, ecological monitoring, fisheries landings assessments, geospatial analysis, benthic habitat mapping, and geology of coral reefs.
Dr. Pablo Granados-Dieseldorff
Sustainable Fisheries Director
Dr. Granados-Dieseldorff supports balancing the sustainable, healthy livelihoods of fishers and fisheries-related industries with the protection and management necessary to ensure thriving marine ecosystems that will sustain communities now and into the future. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Pablo will bring a wealth of stakeholder-centered experience to project initiatives to support livelihoods and healthy environments. Pablo has worked with artisanal, recreational, and commercial fishers in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Oceania, as well as along the Pacific from Alaska to Patagonia.
Before joining the Waitt Institute team, Pablo built and expanded Fair Trade USA’s Seafood Program as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Coordinator to support implementation of the international Capture Fisheries Standard, which aims to provide markets-based frameworks for fisheries conservation and management. He also led the implementation of the Fish Forever initiative as the Marine Science and Implementation Director at RARE. He holds a doctorate degree in Marine Geography and Applied Biodiversity Sciences from Texas A&M University, Masters degree in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University, and undergraduate degree in Biology from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.
Dr. Felipe Carvalho
Sustainable Fisheries Manager
Dr. Felipe Carvalho is the Sustainable Fisheries Manager at the Waitt Institute, bringing his expertise in fish ecology and sustainable fisheries to global conservation efforts. Felipe collaborates with partner governments, fishing communities, NGOs, and academia to create strategies and analyses that promote sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.
With his Ph.D. in Fish and Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech, Felipe's research has advanced the scientific understanding of coral reef fisheries management in Brazil. His professional journey includes impactful work with Rare and the Fish Forever Program, where he championed community-based management initiatives and national fisheries monitoring in Brazil.
Felipe's adaptability and collaborative approach have been shaped by experiences in diverse environments across Brazil and North America. He is committed to contributing his knowledge and skills toward the Institute's mission of ensuring healthy oceans and thriving communities.
Brooke Dixon
Science Manager
Brooke supports scientific programs for the Waitt Institute and Blue Prosperity Coalition. She primarily coordinates the planning and implementation of Ocean Use Surveys across project sites.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Brooke completed survey design and analysis for FjordPhyto and served as the director of a small non-profit working to get Denver’s youth involved in ocean conservation. She has also worked as a SCUBA instructor and spent many years as a marine science educator and assistant program director with Catalina Island Marine Institute. Brooke has a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Colorado State University where she specialized in Environmental Communications.
Matt Paufve
Science Manager
Matt supports scientific programs for the Waitt Institute and Blue Prosperity Coalition. He assists with planning, execution, and reporting for scientific assessments, manages geospatial data and reference libraries to support marine spatial planning, and contributes to science products across all project sites.
Matt brings experience in aquatic research in the Great Lakes region where he was involved in a diverse number of focus areas including ecosystem modeling, fisheries management, invasive species monitoring, and data archiving. He also has expertise in field and lab methods, graphic design, and aquarium systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Hobart College and a Master of Science in Fisheries and Natural Resources from Cornell University.
Jennifer Lemmons
Science Fellow
As a science fellow, Jennifer supports the scientific programs of the Waitt Institute. In addition to compiling and assisting in data management and analysis, she contributes to the research and execution of Marine Spatial Planning for all project sites.
Jennifer has been active in marine science and conservation work for the past six years. Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, she worked as a research assistant and scientific diver for Micronesian Conservation Coalition, a Guam-based NGO. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Guam. Most of her experience has been in fisheries, ecological monitoring, and research for MPA implementation throughout the Pacific. Additionally, Jennifer holds dive instructor and oxygen provider certifications and is experienced in using a broad spectrum of research equipment.
Vanessa Dick
Legal & Policy Director
Vanessa is the Program Director for Blue Azores and Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme. She also serves as the Legal Director across all of the Waitt Institute’s project sites helping to manage legal assessments and partnering with governments to draft and implement legal frameworks to achieve sustainable ocean management.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Vanessa worked at multiple non-profit organizations in Washington D.C. specializing in conservation, poverty alleviation and climate change issues. For more than eight years, she worked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the U.S. Deputy Director for Government Relations focusing on international forest management and a one-year assignment at WWF Peru. She holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, a Juris Doctor degree from University of Cincinnati College of Law, and a Master of Laws from Lewis and Clark Law School in Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, and Energy Law.
Molly Ryan
Legal & Policy Fellow
As the Legal and Policy Fellow, Molly supports the legal work of the Waitt Institute across all projects and portfolios, including the assessment, drafting and implementation of legal frameworks and local policies to promote sustainable ocean management.
Prior to joining the Waitt Institute, Molly served as a Policy and Communications Advisor to the Republic of Vanuatu's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, working on their campaign to bring climate change before the International Court of Justice. Molly received her MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute for International Studies, where she focused on Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. While a graduate student, she was a policy fellow for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as a lobbyist for a DC-based bipartisan firm working to elevate ocean priorities. Molly also worked with the Labour Protection Network, a Thai-based nonprofit, on issues of forced labor, human rights and sustainable fisheries in Southeast Asia. Aside from her graduate degree, she holds a certificate in Restorative Justice from the Vermont Law School and has a background in climate science and policy from her time at the College of William & Mary.
Shayna Brody
Media & Communications Director
Shayna oversees communications across the Waitt Institute, Waitt Foundation and Blue Prosperity Coalition to develop communication strategies related to blue economies, marine spatial planning, and ocean conservation. She also supports communications for project sites including Barbuda, Curaçao, the Maldives, and Tonga. Shayna is involved in content creation and branding across organizations.
Shayna has a broad background in science communications and visual media with expertise in branding, graphic design, social media marketing, photography, videography, and large-scale communications initiatives. She brings communications experience from the VC backed tech startup Lumi.com as well as for animal rescues, aquariums, and NGOs including The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Colorado Ocean Coalition, Heal the Bay, Star Eco Station, and the Denver Aquarium. Shayna has a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from University of Colorado at Boulder.
Lorea Dandoy
Creative Communications Manager
Lorea manages creative projects and media development across the Institute’s programs. Combining storytelling, strategy, and design, she works with our team, partners, and creative contractors to develop communication assets that bring to life program milestones and messages. From developing storylines and concepts for video projects to establishing designs for reports and graphics, Lorea supports the content production side of communications.
She has a background in creative strategy and multimedia storytelling. She previously worked for an experiential marketing agency, where she developed cross-channel communications and digital content for global organizations. Now she applies these skills to create stories that engage audiences about actionable ocean protection and resource management. She holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgetown University.
Emma Head
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Emma manages communications for multiple programs at the Waitt Institute and supports general communications for the organization. She joins the Waitt Institute following a role in government relations at Scripps Institution of Oceanography where she advocated for ocean research funding at the federal, state, and local government levels.
Emma has a background in strategic environmental communications and public outreach. She was previously a public affairs consultant and coordinated and managed communications for large-scale environmental projects. She planned and executed virtual and in-person events such as public hearings, stakeholder briefings, webinars, workshops, and more.
Tiffany Ngo
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Tiffany manages communications for the Waitt Institute's programs in the Maldives and the Federated States of Micronesia. In this role, she works with local partners to develop and implement communications strategies and campaigns. She also leads communications efforts for the organization's international conferences. Tiffany creates and shares content on the Institute's website to engage and inform audiences about the organization’s work and initiatives in sustainable ocean management.
She previously worked as a public affairs consultant helping government agencies communicate about clean water and sustainable infrastructure projects. Tiffany has also worked for the Environmental Law Institute and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority where she supported research and program implementation for various environmental issues. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UC Santa Barbara in Environmental Studies with a minor in Spatial Science.
Ellen Spooner
Media & Strategic Communications Manager
Ellen designs and implements communication campaigns and strategies across the Waitt Institute, Waitt Foundation, Blue Prosperity Coalition, and several of our partner countries to build resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities that benefit all. This involves creating and sharing content, organizing events, and facilitating workshops and conversations to engage audiences about the organizations’ work in sustainable ocean management.
She previously worked for NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment program developing and implementing strategic communication plans to advance ecosystem-based management within the agency. Ellen also worked for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. conducting education and outreach for the Sant Ocean Hall and Narwhal exhibit. She was a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in 2016, holds a Master's Degree in Fisheries from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor's Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona.
Lauren Dvonch
Communications Fellow
Lauren supports writing and media initiatives at the Waitt Institute as well as general communications for the organization. As a diver, swimmer and former ocean lifeguard, Lauren was raised in and around the ocean and is passionate about protecting its beauty and resources for future generations to come.
Lauren has a background in public outreach and climate change mitigation. She previously worked as a community engagement planner, collaborating with environmental justice populations to develop communication and outreach strategies in conjunction with local governments. Lauren has also worked in the nonprofit sector, developing communication and sustainability strategies related to agriculture and food insecurity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy from Chapman University, and a Master of Science in Environment, Politics & Society from University College London.
EXPEDITIONS
TEAM
Michael Dessner
Director of Special Projects
Michael manages Waitt Institute scientific expedition work conducted aboard M/y Plan b and other special projects including advising the communications team. He has participated in Waitt Expeditions in the North and South Pacific, North Atlantic, Caribbean and the Arctic, including work mapping the Titanic and the search for Amelia Earhart.
Michael grew up in Iowa, served in the US Army, attended the University of Iowa, and worked on the ocean for 15 years in Alaska and Florida prior to joining the Waitt Institute in 2006. He is a diver, sonar analyst, submersible pilot, writer, and photographer.
Joe Lepore
Special Projects Coordinator & Dive Safety Officer
Joseph serves as the Waitt Institute’s Dive Safety Officer and oversees all deck operations during missions of discovery. He grew up in Ronkonkoma, New York where he joined the US Navy in 1986. He served his country with distinction and honor for twenty years before retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer and Master Diver in 2006, after which he joined the Waitt Institute team.
He completed the Navy’s schools for 2nd Class Diver and 1st Class Diver, as well as the schools for Salvage, Construction and Demolition Diving. During his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, 6 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Navy Commendation Medals and 4 Navy Achievement Medals. In his spare time he enjoys boating, fishing and diving. He currently resides in North Carolina with his wife and two children.
ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
TEAM
Tamara Marshall, J.D.
Senior Director, Administration
Tamara focuses on legal review, finances, contracts, compliance, and operations generally to keep the organization running smoothly. She joined the Waitt team as an employee of the Avalon Capital Group in 2005.
Over the past fifteen years, she has held numerous positions within the organization across the areas of human resources, administration, operations, finance, legal, and investments. She is an experienced professional accountant with a background in entrepreneurship and small business advising. Tamara has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Tamara aspires to use her law degree to make a difference in the world and to give back to the community.
Laura Frank
Assistant Director
As the Assistant Director, Laura works closely with the Executive Director to coordinate operations and program initiatives. Laura works across teams and with partners to support several aspects of the Waitt Institute’s work both internally and on site, including expedition coordination, project management, reporting, and development of strategic documents.
Laura was previously a researcher in the Genetics, Aquaculture, and Physiology group at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and a California Sea Grant State Fellow at the Unified Port of San Diego where she supported several environmental conservation, blue economy, and mitigation banking projects. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communication: Advertising and Public Relations from Emerson College and a Master of Science in Marine Science from the University of San Diego where she focused on applied physiology research for aquaculture.