We Believe in
Our Oceans
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is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
BTW, Inc. is the core asset of The Beneath The Waves Group, a globally-activated, multinational conglomerate of ocean-focused companies spanning multiple sectors: nonprofit research, innovative science and exploration, media and entertainment, and consulting services.
Professor Carlos M. Duarte is the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in Red Sea Ecology at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in Saudi Arabia. Before this he was Research Professor with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Director of the Oceans Institute at The University of Western Australia. He also holds an adjunct position at the Arctic Research Center in Aarhus University, Denmark. Duarte’s research focuses on understanding the effects of global change in marine ecosystems and developing nature-based solutions to global challenges, including climate change, and develop evidence-based strategies to rebuild the abundance of marine life by 2050. He has conducted research across all continents and oceans, spanning most of the marine ecosystem types, from inland to near-shore and the deep sea and from microbes to whales. Professor Duarte led the Malaspina 2010 Expedition that sailed the world’s oceans to examine the impacts of global change on ocean ecosystems and explore their biodiversity.
Professor Duarte served as President of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography between 2007 and 2010. He has published more than 800 scientific papers and has been ranked within the top 1% Highly-Cited Scientist by Thompson Reuters in all assessments of this rank. He has received many honors, including the G. Evelyn Hutchinson Award from the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography in 2001, the National Science Award of Spain (2007), and the I. Vernadsky Medal of the European Geophysical Union. the Prix d’Excellence by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES, 2011), the Carlo Heip award for excellent in Marine Biodiversity (2018), and the Ramon Margalef Ecology Award (2019), and honorary doctorates from the Université du Québec à Montréal (Canada) in 2010 and Utrecht University (The Netherlands) in 2012. He has been appointed to the Expert Group supporting the High Level Group, including 12 heads of states, that under the UN is working to propose, by 2020, a pathway towards a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Kathryn Ayres is a Research Scientist for Beneath The Waves, providing support with data analysis and scientific outputs. Ayres is from a small village in northern England and although she grew up far from the ocean, she has had a fascination with sharks from a very young age. She holds a First-Class Honors Bachelor’s degree in Marine Vertebrate Zoology from Bangor University, UK, and a Masters in marine Environmental Management with Distinction from the University of York, UK. She recently obtained a PhD in Marine Science from CICIMAR-IPN University, La Paz, Mexico. Her PhD research involved using aerial drone surveys, acoustic telemetry, satellite tracking, and stable isotope analysis, to study seasonal aggregations and migration patterns of Blacktip sharks in Cabo Pulmo National Park. Ayres is a National Geographic Explorer, PADI Divemaster, and avid free diver.
Malik Adunni is a global connector, music maven, and co-founder of Gold Credentials, a platform that creates, collaborates, and activates artists to work with brands to engage their fans. He has worked in music for over 20 years working as a tour manager and event producer globally. He has helped produce 3 large-scale shows at Coachella with top profile artists such as Avicii, Deorro, and most recently Nora En Pure. In 2019, Malik finished a global tour with rising pop star Greyson Chance who had appearances on the Ellen Show and Good Morning America. Malik has been on the Board of Directors with Beneath the Waves for 3 1/2 years. During this time, he learned how to scuba dive and has participated in 3 major shark tagging expeditions, assisting with science logistics and building out the expedition series concept as a platform for cutting-edge conservation research and engagement with high profile supporters. He is also is on the UCLA Entertainment Industry Cabinet, is a Brand Ambassador for Puppies Make Me Happy and Thanks You Made My Day. His involvement is to spread happiness and positivity. He is currently working on a children’s book with his mother that should be released later this year.
Monica Moritsch is a Research Scientist for Beneath The Waves, providing support with data analysis and scientific outputs. Moritsch is a marine spatial ecologist and blue carbon scientist, who has extensive experience with geospatial modeling, conducting intertidal field surveys, and managing research projects. Her work with Beneath The Waves specifically focuses on the analysis of carbon sequestration capacity of Bahamas blue carbon ecosystems under various management scenarios, along with performing spatial mapping of blue carbon ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean. Moritsch obtained her Bachelor’s degree for Molecular Environmental Biology from the University of California, Berkley, and proceeded with her Master’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, both from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Tadzio Bervoets was born on St. Maarten and from an early age had an affinity for nature, particularly the sea. Tadzio earned Bachelor degrees in International Relations and Geo Management from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami. Tadzio also received a Master’s degree from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in environmental resource management with a specialty in coral reef ecosystems. In between degrees, he worked as a dive master, did volunteer work for the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and helped start a nonprofit foundation called Ocean Care. Tadzio began his professional career in Tanzania developing incentives for local fishermen to become marine park rangers and conducting sea urchin management. He returned to the Caribbean to serve one year as a marine park manager in St. Eustatius. Soon after, he returned to St. Maarten where he managed the St. Maarten Nature Foundation for almost 10 years.
Tadzio has accepted a new challenge to become Interim Executive Director at Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) as of October 2019. Supported by island park management authorities, DCNA Board members and secretariat, Tadzio leads efforts to build ties not only within the Dutch Caribbean, but regionally and internationally, developing strong working relationships with the Dutch Ministries and top tier conservation organizations such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Bird Conservation Netherlands and the World Wildlife Fund.
Hanan Atia is an emergency doctor with a passion for ocean conservation. Love of ocean and marine life was instilled by Hanan’s father, a scuba instructor on a pioneer dive boat on the Red Sea. Hanan believes telling the story of sharks through photography will help disseminate love and awe instead of fear, misunderstanding and subsequent destruction of these precious and vital ocean animals.
Jeremy Jenrette is a Research Scientist at Beneath the Waves focusing on the conservation of large marine animals. His research encompasses population genetics and computer vision with an interest in characterizing the genomes and proteomes of large pelagic and deep-sea species. He also develops automatic image classification algorithms to detect and identify marine species from underwater footage. Jeremy is a PhD student at Virginia Tech, holding a Bachelors in Biochemistry from the same university. In addition to collecting and rearing pink salmon populations in remote salmon hatcheries in Alaska, he works in the Mediterranean Sea, where he monitors white shark populations with environmental DNA methods. His work integrates several disciplines, such as social network mining to organize global shark observations and building intelligent drones for surveying marine protected areas. He enjoys fishing, kayaking, and programming.
Rebecca Simon is Director of HR and Finance and serves as an integral part of the leadership team at Beneath The Waves, driving organizational growth and operational excellence. With over a decade of experience in human resources and operations, Rebecca brings a unique blend of strategic insight, culture-building, and operational expertise to the nonprofit space.
Rebecca’s career spans industries including fitness, retail, and consulting, where she has developed and implemented HR policies, led talent acquisition strategies, and guided companies through organizational transformations. Her work is grounded in creating inclusive and engaging environments that align with the core values of the organizations she supports. Rebecca’s focus on employee wellbeing and development has been instrumental in fostering motivated and high-performing teams.
At Beneath The Waves, Rebecca plays a key role in managing HR, finance, and operational functions, ensuring the organization is positioned for sustainable growth while supporting its mission to protect our oceans and marine life. Her expertise in streamlining processes, aligning teams, and building resilient organizational structures complements the dynamic and fast-paced nature of Beneath The Waves’ mission.
Outside of work, Rebecca is an avid beach lover who grew up in Huntington Beach, CA, and recently moved to Los Angeles. She looks forward to continuing her passion for both HR and ocean conservation in her work with Beneath The Waves.
Don is the Upper School Science Teacher at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. He has a degree in Chemistry from UMass-Amherst and a Master’s in Natural Sciences from WPI. He has been teaching in both formal (Thayer Academy) and informal (Museum of Science in Boston) settings for over thirty years. He is a past president of the New England Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers and a former board member of The Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers. Topics he has taught through his career range from 7th grade science through high school to undergraduate work in science education at MIT. Don started his career mostly in the physical sciences of chemistry and physics, but he has also been involved in teaching the life sciences. This has culminated in a new high school curriculum that integrates both, and in recent years has facilitated nearly 50 students’ involvement in hands-on marine science programs with Beneath the Waves. He is excited to be helping expand the organization’s educational opportunities to his students and beyond, as the work that is at the core of his teaching philosophy.
Kristin Lindblad is recognized for her underwater and adventure travel photography and awareness efforts surrounding important environmental and social causes. Kristin strives to share important stories, document the earth and its cultures, inspire people to explore, and raise awareness for crucial causes – particularly the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans. As a writer and photographer, Kristin’s goal is to produce work that elicits feelings, questions, and a desire to experience life deeply and consciously. Based between Maui and Manhattan, her work and travels have taken her on adventures around the world with a keen eye toward ocean conservation and indigenous cultures. She supports valuable projects, causes, and initiatives through visual and literary storytelling, dynamic local-global influence, brain trust collaboration, and philanthropic efforts. Kristin serves as an Advisor to Beneath the Waves and Ambassador to Oceanic Global, and her environmentally-focused feature writing can be seen on Scientific American, Newsweek and Virgin platforms. Her OCEANSCAPES ocean conservation photography brand was launched in August of 2018 and aims to inspire people to “feel the ocean,” executing inspirations of her underwater photography throughout various partnerships and projects in art, fashion, science, and philanthropy.
Liv Dixon is the Research Coordinator at Beneath The Waves, managing and executing research operations for the organization’s suite of international projects and global expedition series. Dixon coordinates expedition planning, end-to-end research logistics, oversees the flow of all field and laboratory data, and supports internal project managers and external collaborators for the NGO, spanning all research themes and locations. Through this position, Dixon also serves as a staff marine biologist for the team, leading empirical research on blue carbon and large consumers. Dixon holds a Bachelor’s in Zoology from Leeds University, a teaching degree in Science from Cambridge University, and graduated with a Master’s in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation with Distinction from Exeter University.
Wells Howe is a Subject Expert on blue carbon, overseeing the development of the group’s blue carbon conservation work around the world. Howe directs the planning and implementation of the organization’s global climate solutions programs, whereby he plays a key role in forging public-private partnerships with sovereigns and governments, and building meaningful alliances with philanthropic institutions and corporations interested in sustainability. Through this work, Howe has briefed multiple world leaders and members of US Congress about the importance of blue carbon and nature-based solutions. Howe regularly engages with government officials and NGOs at international conferences and is committed to implementing community-led solutions. An entrepreneur at his core, Howe has assimilated cross-sector experience, ranging from top-tier financial institutions to startups in the renewable energy space, and brings to the table a wealth of knowledge building new-to-market ecosystems services and carbon finance optimization tools. Howe holds a Bachelor’s in Economics with a minor in Environmental Studies, and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Northeastern University. He is a member of The Explorer’s Club and sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of Colossal.
Dr. Keith Myrick is a physician at Specialty Orthopaedics in Louisville, KY. He received his medical education from Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio University of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, OH. He completed his surgical residency at The University of Louisville Hospital in 2002. He is board certified in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and The American Academy of Sports Medicine. He serves as a consultant for The University of Louisville sports, The Cincinnati Reds baseball team (Louisville Bats), and previously The Louisville Fire Arena Football team and the 2008 McDonald’s All-American basketball West Team physician. In 2008 he was appointed Medical Director for Norton Hospital and their Director of resident education. He was appointed in 2017 by KY Governor Matt Bevin as President of the KY state medical Board for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Myrick, a Louisville native, has held a thoroughbred racing license for over 20 years and is active in the horse racing business. He has also been involved in television and radio shows including HGTV’s Bahamas Life and ESPN’s The Injury Report.
Jeffrey Pankey is the founder and President of Figment Design, a full-service advertising and marketing agency established in Miami, Florida for the past 27 years. His clients include companies spanning travel and tourism, outdoors and sports, automotive, and numerous luxury hotels and properties throughout the Greater Caribbean. Always a lover of nature, and protector of those things needing protection, his day job allows him to spread the message about protecting our world’s most precious treasures. With his full dedication to the program, he offers years of digital communications, marketing and creative expertise along with contacts throughout the Caribbean to help anchor research campaigns and forge partnerships where they are needed the most. He looks forward to retirement, when he can dedicate all of his time to Beneath the Waves.
Rose Mann is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council. She joined the Council from The Nature Conservancy, where she served as a Director of the Global Oceans Program leading the philanthropy strategy for a $100 million capital campaign in the areas of coastal risk and resilience, sustainable fisheries, ocean protection, and ocean governance. Previously, she served as the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. Mann has more than 25 years of experience in the field of ocean conservation fundraising. She has raised more than $300 million for science, climate, and ocean protection during her career, and has dedicated her life to the protection of the Earth.
Pam Lindberg is an Officer and Director of Glassell Producing Company, Cabo Blanco Company and sits on the Board as an Officer, Director and Trustee of the Glassell Family Foundation as well as Co-Trustee of the Glassell Employees Pension Plan. For nearly 40 years, Pam has played an integral role in the operations, growth, and success of the Glassell family businesses. Because of her hard work, dedication and perseverance, Pam has been able to watch the Glassell companies thrive and grow. Early in her career, Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. saw something extra special in Pam and began to mentor her in the ways of the business like only he could do. Shortly thereafter, Alfred C. Glassell, III helped Pam to hone in on her management and IT skills along with multi-tasking in all aspects of the family businesses. Pam truly loves her work and everything about it, but her true passion lies within the work that she is able to perform by sitting on the Board of the Foundation. Being able to assist the various charities and the ability to help people achieve their goals is in her own words ‘the most rewarding pursuit of her career’.
Maria Damanaki, a distinguished leader, and advocate. Her journey from Greek Parliament to the European Commission, where she championed sustainable fishing and ocean conservation, is remarkable. As Global Managing Director for Oceans at The Nature Conservancy, she introduced innovative financial tools and led initiatives to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Her work earned prestigious awards. Now an Independent Consultant, she continues to shape climate and ocean policies. Damanaki’s active involvement in global ocean conservation initiatives showcases her enduring commitment to a sustainable future.
Christine de Silva is a marine scientist focused on predator-prey ecology and science communication. She has spent the majority of her recent years studying how the various shark species of the Northwest Atlantic influence local food webs. She helped launch Beneath the Waves work in the Atlantic Ocean, and served as the Manager of Field Operations from 2017-2018. In this role, she helped develop a core field research program, forged relationships with local communities, mentored graduate students and led classes for high school students. She is also a semi-professional photographer and was featured in the 2020 Shark Week episode Tiger Shark Abyss. Christine believes science is meant for the public and brings her business expertise, art, and passion for the ocean together to spread science to a wider audience.
Brendan Shea is a marine scientist working to inform the conservation of large marine predators. His research largely focuses on the ecological role of sharks, with a particular interest in predator-prey dynamics, risk effects, and deep-water habitat use. Brendan is a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech, and holds an M.S. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colorado College. He has worked extensively with Beneath the Waves throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic since 2018, including serving as the organization’s Research Manager for the 2019 field season in Cape Cod and as the lead scientist on multiple expeditions to the Bahamas. Brendan’s research experience is wide, including acoustic and satellite telemetry, biologging, physiology, remote camera work, biostatistics, and big data/environmental synthesis. He is an avid surfer, scuba diver, and fisherman.
Shannon Aldridge is the Operations Manager at Beneath The Waves, where she oversees the flow of daily operations within the organization, and is responsible for managing workflows across several company departments. Through this position, Aldridge serves as a hub for internal communications, oversees the organization and execution of special projects, events, and collaborations, and is a key representative among scientific field work, data analysis, and scientific outputs. Aldridge provides the organization with significant experience in the ocean space as a PADI Dive Instructor, as well as through her past work running dive programs involving animal husbandry. Aldridge holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology with a minor in Marine Ecology from Nova Southeastern University.
Jeffrey Pankey is the founder and President of Figment Design, a full-service advertising and marketing agency established in Miami, Florida for the past 27 years. His clients include companies spanning travel and tourism, outdoors and sports, automotive, and numerous luxury hotels and properties throughout the Greater Caribbean. Always a lover of nature, and protector of those things needing protection, his day job allows him to spread the message about protecting our world’s most precious treasures. With his full dedication to the program, he offers years of digital communications, marketing and creative expertise along with contacts throughout the Caribbean to help anchor research campaigns and forge partnerships where they are needed the most. He looks forward to retirement, when he can dedicate all of his time to Beneath the Waves.
Rose Mann is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council. She joined the Council from The Nature Conservancy, where she served as a Director of the Global Oceans Program leading the philanthropy strategy for a $100 million capital campaign in the areas of coastal risk and resilience, sustainable fisheries, ocean protection, and ocean governance. Previously, she served as the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. Mann has more than 25 years of experience in the field of ocean conservation fundraising. She has raised more than $300 million for science, climate, and ocean protection during her career, and has dedicated her life to the protection of the Earth.
Dr. Austin Gallagher is the founder and CEO of Beneath The Waves, overseeing company vision, mission, and strategy, as well as managing a dynamic team of researchers and storytellers toward success. Gallagher’s approach combines thrilling science, private sector collaboration, local engagement, and media–to create effective partnerships that drive tangible impact.
A globally-respected marine biologist and social entrepreneur, Gallagher has worked diligently studying and advocating for highly migratory species and their habitats around the world, directly supporting the protection of species and hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of ocean. He has forged dozens of “firsts” in the ocean space, ranging from the identification of new species and geographic records to implementing new technologies to accelerate conservation solutions. Dr. Gallagher has served as the lead scientist on over 50 scientific expeditions across 6 continents, and is broadly trained with expertise spanning large marine animal tracking, behavioral ecology, physiology, genetics, plant science, and socioeconomics. He has published over 100 scientific papers, spanning research on the migrations of ocean giants, blue carbon, deep-sea exploration, and marine policy. Gallagher is regularly consulted by international governments, and US Congress, and he has briefed and collaborated with over a dozen Heads of State to prompt and develop legislation and policies to protect threatened ocean habitats, species, and the communities that depend on them.
In 2022, he partnered with wild tiger sharks to discover the world’s largest seagrass meadow in The Bahamas, an area of over 93,000 sq. km representing the ocean’s largest carbon sink and one of the most important ocean discoveries in recent decades. He is a National Geographic Explorer, Fellow of the Explorer’s Club, Fulbright Scholar, former Forbes 30 Under 30 Winner, and an Honorary Associate Professor at The University of Exeter.
Scotty Gray is the Director of Marine Operations for Beneath The Waves, leading the planning and execution of vessel-based logistics and field research. In addition to serving as the Captain of the group’s research vessel, the R/V Tigress, Gray is an experienced waterman and deep experience in mechanical engineering and marine technology. Scotty has worked with all facets of the marine biology, diving, and filmmaking world, including facilitating numerous TV and film productions for Discovery Channel and National Geographic.
Sami Kattan is the Director of Media at Beneath The Waves, developing the high-level strategy around media products and outputs that foster engagement with public audiences, partners, and stakeholders. An accomplished filmmaker and storyteller, Kattan has produced short and long-form pieces that have connected global audiences to Beneath The Waves’ impactful projects, and his work has been used to educate world leaders and assist campaigns built to drive policy change in our oceans. Kattan has also assisted with Beneath The Waves’ scientific projects, leading full expeditions and earning himself co-authorship on numerous scientific publications. His entrepreneurial pursuits include serving as founder of Nomad Creative, a digital storytelling agency producing content for purpose-driven individuals and organizations, of which clients include the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, Spartan Race, and Virgin Unite. Kattan’s work has been viewed by millions worldwide and has been featured in Forbes, Virgin, Lonely Planet, and Yahoo. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida with dual degrees in Anthropology and Psychology.
Jamie Fitzgerald is the Managing Director at Beneath The Waves, overseeing daily business operations, management of key partnerships and initiatives, and the tactical execution of communications and brand strategy. Through this position, Fitzgerald facilitates meaningful relationships and projects with stakeholders around the world, including scientists, park rangers, local community members, artists, donors, and corporate partners. A passionate conservationist and ocean lover, she grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has spent much of her life on or in the water. She has presented to audiences worldwide around nonprofit leadership, women in science, and diversity and inclusion. Fitzgerald is a PADI Divemaster, a member of The Explorer’s Club, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Tulane University, with concentrations in Marine Biology and Political Science.
Jeff Todd manages marketing and communications for The Foundation (WCPD), a boutique financial services firm that works with the largest philanthropists in Canada. Jeff Todd is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for The Foundation (WCPD), a boutique financial services firm that works with some of the largest philanthropists in Canada. He serves in a similar capacity for GIV Bahamas Inc., a real estate development firm in Exuma, The Bahamas.
In addition to his role with Beneath the Waves Canada, Todd is President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Ottawa, Canada, and a Board Member of the Exuma Foundation of Canada.
Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Jeff was an international journalist with experience in Canada, The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates. His work appeared in newspapers across North America, including the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
Todd is a former international journalist and award-winning author. He has published five books, ranging from fiction, to non-fiction, to memoirs.
Jon Lake is a passionate father of three girls: Elizabeth, Amanda, and Victoria. Lake proudly served as an active duty airman in the United States Air Force, and as a medical technician serving in Texas, New York, and California. Lake now runs JDL Corporate Interiors in Boston, Massachusetts–a high-end corporate interior renovation construction company. A self-described “lover of all things natural and built by man,” Lake developed a special connection to the ocean during seasons of offshore fishing and shark tagging in the waters of the northeast of Nantucket. Lake shares that “the dense unique oceanic biodiversity and the impacts of man from pollution and commercial fishing are readily apparent when the eyes can no longer see the land, and man does what he wishes with no rules, destroying the sea for commercial enterprise and profit. My profound experiences offshore in the Canyons and the Eastern area off of Nantucket have shed light on the conservation that is needed to protect these natural resources.” He finds peace and great love while free diving and being underwater in places like the Florida Keys and The Bahamas, where “the true beauty of the pristine Exuma waters is a moving experience like no other.” Joining the Advisory Board of Beneath the Waves provides him with the opportunity to be an impactful change agent, and preserve the ocean for future generations of this beautiful planet.
Jim recently joined our Beneath the Waves team. Jim is also the Partnerships Manager for the Heart of the Rockies Initiative in the American West which supports 27 land trusts in the northern Rockies. Jim is an award-winning, professionally certified wildlife biologist who worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for 31 years. He received an undergraduate degree in biology with an emphasis on marine biology from San Diego State and Florida State universities and his graduate degree in wildlife biology from Montana State University in Bozeman. Jim studied mountain lion ecology for his Master’s Degree on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front and has focused on mountain lion and other wildlife conservation issues in various roles ever since. As a wildlife biologist, Jim managed big game populations ranging from pronghorn antelope and elk to mountain goats, worked with rural agricultural landowners on wildlife tolerance issues, developed new conservation easements, wildlife management areas and other habitat conservation projects. Later as the FWP Wildlife Program Manager, Jim supervised and led a talented group of research and wildlife biologists and his team developed grizzly bear conflict, monitoring and research programs and initiated western Montana’s first wolf conservation program. Most recently, as the Regional Supervisor for over 100 employees in northwestern Montana, Jim provided leadership and support for parks, wildlife, fisheries and enforcement and administration divisions. Jim has worked with wildlife biologists in Chile and Argentina on a variety of wildlife conservation projects. In 2018, Patagonia Inc. published his autobiography, Path of the Puma, which shares some of those adventures and the story of mountain lion and large carnivore conservation in the Americas. Penguin Random House Audio recently published the audio version of Path of the Puma which Jim personally narrated. Jim enjoys swimming and kayaking in Whitefish Lake, mountaineering in Glacier National Park, and downhill skiing. Jim and his wife Melora reside in Whitefish in the City Beach neighborhood.
Beckah Campbell is a marine scientist working to improve the understanding, conservation, and management of elasmobranchs. Originally from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, she grew up next to and fell in love with the ocean and its creatures. Campbell completed her B.S. in Marine Science, minor in Marine Biology, at the University of Southern Mississippi, and she is now currently a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focuses on describing the life history characteristics (reproduction, movement, habitat use) of Caribbean reef sharks in The Bahamas, and how these traits can be used to improve management and conservation. Campbell has been collaborating with Beneath the Waves since May 2021, including serving as lead scientist on expeditions and public outreach. Her research experience includes acoustic and satellite telemetry, physiology, ultrasonography, as well as many other skills. Campbell is passionate about the ocean and sharks and strives to share this with everyone.
André Musgrove is an Underwater Cinematographer/ DP, Underwater Photographer, Professional Freediver, Spearfisherman, Underwater Stunt Performer, and Private Dive Guide born and based in The Bahamas. Growing up diving in The Bahamas gives him a vast knowledge of the best underwater locations and marine wildlife hotspots across the country. He has worked on a variety of projects with international brands including Discovery Channel, National Geographic, GoPro, Canon, Rolex, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
André is best known for his unique style of shooting creative concepts underwater with people and marine wildlife as the subjects, in unique underwater environments. He specializes in filming/ photographing natural history. commercials and campaigns either on scuba or while freediving (on breath-hold), allowing closer, less invasive, and more intimate interactions with large megafauna. André has extensive experience working with large sharks including Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads Sharks, Bull Sharks, Reef Sharks, and Lemon Sharks. With over 4,000 logged scuba dives and more than a decade of freediving & spearfishing experience, shark handling and diving he has a distinctive edge for capturing a variety of underwater scenarios.
Andre‘s unique, multi-talented skill set includes him being as talented in front of the camera as he is behind. He’s featured as the on-screen Dive Specialist and one of the main presenters on Discovery Channel’s first ever Shark Week series called “Shark Academy” releasing Shark Week 2021 exclusively on Discovery+. He also was featured on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week 2020 episode “Adam Devine’s Secret Shark Lair” as the on-screen Local Shark Diving & Spearfishing Expert.
Paul Nicklen is a Canadian photographer and marine biologist specializing in the polar regions and their wildlife. Nicklen was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame in 2019; in that same year, he was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2014, Nicklen co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization that propelled ocean conservation onto the world stage through the power of visual storytelling, impact campaigns and the funding of sustainability projects. In 2020, on the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, Paul announced his flagship project: Only One, a web-based platform showcasing original content, driving people to take action and change their habits for the benefit of the ocean. He is also a fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and the National Geographic Society. He has placed first in the World Press Photo’s Nature Stories category four times, and in 2012, he was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Nicklen has also been recognized for his conservation efforts with the Natural Resources Defense Council BioGems Visionary Award and is a Sony Artisan of Imagery.
Cristina Mittermeier is the marine biologist and activist who pioneered the concept and field of conservation photography. Mittermeier founded the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) in 2005 to provide a platform for photographers working on environmental issues. In 2014, Mittermeier co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean. SeaLegacy is a global network of storytellers who use their art and expertise in media and communications to fuel a community focused on restoring the ocean’s health and abundance. In 2020, on the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, Mittermeier announced the most ambitious project of her career: Only One, a new digital technology product that amplifies stories, campaigns, and solutions that sit at the intersection of ocean health and social justice and uses the power of media and technology to inspire individuals to take action to rebuild ocean life. Mittermeier is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018. She is also the recipient of many awards, including the Mission Award from the North American Nature Photography Association, the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year Award, and the Imaging Award for Photographers Who Give Back. Mittermeier received the 2020/2021 Humanity Photography Content Creator Award from HIPA. In recognition of her three decades of courageous journalism and making the pictures that tell the story of our planet, Mittermeier was presented with the 2021 Seattle Aquarium Sylvia Earle Medal and is the recipient of Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Award for 2021.
Kristian Parton is a marine biologist with a keen interest in the biology and conservation of sharks. His research has previously focused on the impact of anthropogenic marine debris on elasmobranch species, both globally and locally in the UK, namely via entanglement in debris and microplastic ingestion. Kristian is a Masters by Research graduate from the University of Exeter, where he conducted his research under the banner of ExeterMarine. His research led to the creation of a global citizen science database (ShaREN), in collaboration with the Shark Trust, whereby shark and ray entanglements can be quickly and easily recorded online. Kristian has been working with Beneath the Waves on a number of projects, including the extensive BRUVs work in Turks & Caicos. He is an avid free-diver, PADI Divemaster, and hosts his own shark SciComm YouTube channel: Shark Bytes.
Marko Dimitrijevic is the founder and chairman of Volta Global, a Miami-based private investment group with investment activities in venture capital, private equity, real estate, and public markets.
Marko is an entrepreneur, investor, photographer, and public speaker. He wrote Frontier Investor: How to Prosper in the Next Emerging Markets. Michael Spence, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, hailed the book as “brilliant” and “a tour de force.” As a highly sought-after expert in the field of emerging markets and frontier investments, Marko Dimitrijevic has been interviewed by numerous influential publications and organizations including Institutional Investor, Barron’s, Bloomberg and the Financial Times among other outlets.
With 35 years of entrepreneurial and investing experience, Marko founded Volta Global in 2015. The transformational investment group is guided by its permanent capital base and remains open-minded, future-focused, and flexible. During the early part of his career, Marko managed large securities portfolios as Senior Vice President for Triangle Industries, a Fortune 500 company, and its successor, Trian Group. Marko then founded his own investment firm Everest Capital in 1990, building the company from an initial $8 million in assets to over $3 billion in AUM and more than 50 employees. Based in Miami and Singapore, from 1995 to 2015 the firm managed one of the world’s best performing emerging markets funds.
Marko was born in Switzerland to Yugoslav and Italian parents. He attended the Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC) at the University of Lausanne, became a Swiss citizen, and came to the US to earn an MBA from Stanford University (Arjay Miller Scholar). An active philanthropist, Marko Dimitrijevic established the Stanford Graduate School of Business Emerging Markets Innovation Fund, founded the Miami Science Museum Underwater Festival, and has endowed numerous scholarships. He served on the Stanford Business School Advisory Board, the Stanford Business School Trust, the Executive Committee of the Frost Science Museum, the Pasteur Foundation, the Investment Committee of the Adrian Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. He currently serves on the board of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
In his creative time, Marko Dimitrijevic seeks to capture the vibrant wonders of the world as an award-winning photographer. Armed with a camera since his teenage years, Marko honed his photography skills in the field during his extensive travels to over 100 countries. Marko’s photography has been published in numerous magazines including Alert Diver, American Photo, Digital Foto, Islands, Nature’s Best Photography, Seacam, and Showboats International. Marko resides with his wife Shelly in Coral Gables, Florida.
Dr. Camrin Braun is a marine ecologist and biological oceanographer. Camrin’s research at the interface of top predator ecology and oceanography seeks to unite physical-biological interactions with the challenges of managing living marine resources in a dynamic ocean. His work in predator-environment relationships has demonstrated the significance of the deep ocean for top predators, a region of the marine realm that remains largely unexplored. Camrin is particularly passionate about questions that apply basic scientific inquiry to emerging ocean frontiers and challenges. He completed his M.Sc. in 2013 in Marine Science and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) and his Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography in 2018 through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography in 2018. He worked as a NASA-funded Postdoctoral Scholar at the Applied Physics Laboratory in 2019 and is now an Assistant Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington where he leads the Marine Predators Group. Dr. Braun is a National Geographic Explorer and member of the Explorer’s Club. His field expeditions have ranged from sailing the remote Pacific to understand coral reef food webs to tagging sharks on the offshore atolls of Sudan.
Dr. Erica Staaterman is a Bioacoustician at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the federal agency that manages energy development on the outer continental shelf of the United States. She serves as a technical expert in the Office of Environmental Programs, helping the Bureau assess potential impacts of man-made noise on wildlife. Erica received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Duke University in 2006, and her Ph.D. in Bioacoustics from the University of Miami in 2015. Her graduate studies focused on coral reef soundscapes and orientation behavior in reef fish larvae. After her Ph.D., she did a post-doctoral fellowship with Smithsonian Institution where she continued research in passive acoustic monitoring of marine habitats, with an extended research period spent in Panama. She was one of the founding members of the Beneath the Waves team, helping get the initial programs off the ground, and she served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. Outside of work, Erica enjoys spending time outdoors, especially on her bike or underwater.
Dr. Shaili Johri is a geneticist with a research focus in conservation genomics of wildlife populations. She completed her B.S. and M.S. in India and moved to the United States for her Ph.D. in Genetics. Johri did her post-doctorate at the Center for Conservation Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, and is currently a senior Postdoctoral fellow at the Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University. She works at the intersection of marine conservation policy and interdisciplinary research, and her research career spans projects relating to conservation of tigers in western India, wolves in northwest USA, killer whales in the Pacific Northwest, and sharks and rays in the North America and India. Her role as a project lead involves developing genomic and metagenomic tools to assist with biodiversity assessments and population health monitoring of marine megafauna such as sharks. Dr. Johri is at the forefront of developing and making accessible genomic technologies as a means for assessment of priority concern species in resource-poor locations.
Dr. Nick Payne is a lecturer in marine biology at Trinity College Dublin Ireland. Growing up around the pristine beaches and oceans of South Australia, Nick developed a passion for marine life as a kid. He went on to study at the University of Adelaide before taking research positions in Japan and the UK, and then moving to a faculty position in Ireland in 2018. Most of Nick’s research is focused on marine animals, particularly fishes, and he is increasingly interested in discovering the ways in which environmental variation regulates where animals go and what they do. His research is fieldwork-driven, and hugely reliant on strong relationships with international collaborators such as Beneath the Waves.
Dr. Brennan Phillips is an Assistant Professor in Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. He specializes in the development and application of novel instrumentation for oceanographic research. His current research topics include low-light imaging of deep-sea biology and bioluminescence, soft robotic manipulators, hydraulic systems, distributed sensing, and low-cost, lightweight methods for ocean exploration. Dr. Phillips received his BS in Ocean Engineering from URI, an MS in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from URI/GSO. Prior to joining the faculty at URI, Dr. Phillips served as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory and was the lead ROV engineer/pilot for Dr. Robert Ballard. He is a passionate teacher and enjoys surfing, running, and spending time with his family.
Judith is a marine biologist interested in multidisciplinary research rooted in molecular biology, focused on threatened species such as sharks. She earned a BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences and a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Amsterdam, studying juvenile coral and sea urchin recruitment in Curaçao and the effects of habitat loss on juvenile lemon sharks in the Bahamas. Judith completed a Ph.D. from the University of Salford in the UK, focusing on the development and application of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches for the assessment of marine communities. This work has pioneered major advances towards the development of eDNA protocols for the detection and monitoring of sharks. One of the prime advantages of eDNA analysis is its broad applicability to answer a large range of ecological questions in a non-invasive manner. Now based in Miami, Judith’s post-doctoral research at Florida International University continues to build upon the advancement of eDNA applications for the assessment and monitoring of shark diversity, seasonal migrations, and the high-resolution investigation of diet composition.
Captain Jason Halvorsen is a marine operations expert, commercial boat operator, and is the current captain of M/Y Marcato, a 150-ft luxury expedition yacht based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During his career, Jason owned a yacht management company, has been captain on private and charter yachts, commercially towed, and has also been a salvage master. He attended Marine Tech School studies and completed a Marine Mechanics Degree. Through his work as an Advisor to Beneath the Waves, he oversees and facilitates expedition planning and logistics, and advises on virtually all aspects of marine operations – from safety to international regulations. He also has facilitated numerous high impact expeditions aboard private yachts involving marine research and shark studies, submersibles, and deep-sea technology. In his time off the water, Jason enjoys traveling with his wife and young daughter and continues traveling throughout the US and Europe as often as his busy schedule allows.
Over the last decade, Andi has worked in a plethora of roles, making her a well-rounded strategist. With experience spanning venture capital, business development, business strategy, brand, digital, and marketing professional, she’s held roles at both large-scale and start-up organizations. Starting businesses from the ground up and advising enterprise businesses on how to run and scale for success has been at the core of her experience. Andi collaborates with established venture capitalists in both America and Australia. Today, Andi is the Head of Product Architecture, Design & Strategy at a digital product shop called Hatchd in Perth, Western Australia. Her professional objective is to further understand the inner workings of impactful businesses; helping them better the world, become leaders in their industries and evolve in the ever-changing global landscape. She serves as the Director of Marketing for Beneath the Waves, developing digital strategies to innovate solutions for added growth, fundraising, and branding and advertising. Andi was accepted to Harvard Business School’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship courses in 2019. She graduated from George Washington University with a BBA in Advertising & Marketing. In her spare time can be found seeking adventure around the world, scuba diving, sky diving, riding horses, competitive mountain bike racing, and most recently, surfing.
Enrique Quintero is a marine logistics specialist, operations coordinator, and technician for Beneath the Waves, consulting for and assisting on field-based expeditions. Born and raised in Miami, Enrique is a Yacht Consultant and General Manager of one of the most reputable marinas in Miami, Florida. As a world champion sailor and avid waterman, he maintains a deep network of connections in the ocean, boating, and yachting community, and he has helped launch and facilitate projects for Beneath the Waves for over 5 years in Florida and the Caribbean. He is also a musician and part of the electronic music outfit Velero.
Robert Carmichael is first and foremost, a friend of the ocean. He is the CEO of Global Subdive, leading marine operations and submersible operator, and is also the founder/co-founder of 10 companies and one non-profit, each with a unique focus on the earth’s waters and the diving industry. He is the inventor of various diving, medical and marine instruments – including innovative dive equipment for Halcyon Dive Systems, and an Aortic Abdominal Tourniquet (AAT) used for complicated injuries in the midsection. Armed with decades of experience in a number of capacities both “top side” and underwater, Robert Carmichael pulls from a varied history that includes deep, technical open ocean and cave diving, patents for three diving industry innovations, gas fill systems, and services for private homes and yachts that meet the needs of often highly specialized expeditions.
Cali Capela is a marine biologist with interests in reproductive biology. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Environmental Science, where she began her studies in animal behavior and fish biology. Her independent research experience includes innovating and testing new, minimally invasive ultrasound technology on Caribbean sharks to assist with marine protected area designation. She has served as a research assistant on numerous Beneath the Waves expeditions since 2019, working to streamline fieldwork logistics, operations, and database management. Cali is an ardent ocean-lover and strives to further expand her research in the Caribbean.
Lea Breistroff is a marine biologist with a particular interest in threatened species conservation. In addition to growing up in Hong Kong, an epicentre of illegal wildlife trade, Lea cultivated a love and passion for wildlife through her mother, who loves animals and introduced her to scuba diving at the age of 10. With an international upbringing, Lea spoke English and French at home whilst learning Mandarin at school. Leaving Hong Kong at 18, she went on to attain her undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Southampton. After graduating, her passion for the ocean deepened as she volunteered at various conservation programs in Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa as well as becoming certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. After working as an instructor for a few years internationally, she went on to study her Masters in Marine Biology and Ecology at the James Cook University.
Diego Camejo is an artist and media specialist based in Miami, FL. He works as a filmmaker and photographer and is an ‘aerial-shot wizard’ (According to Elle Magazine). His work has amassed millions of views and been featured on the most reputable news and media outlets such as Discovery Channel, Forbes, CNN, MTV, Maxim, and he has created content for brands such as Sony Xperia, Nike Swim, Nat Geo, Perry Ellis, and Spartan Races. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film & TV production and comes from a family of sailors which sparked in him a passion for the ocean. He is one of Beneath the Waves’ lead media producers and works to showcase its research through his creative storytelling and visual style.
Mike Hudson is an experienced technical rescue paramedic, Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic, USLA (qualified) ocean rescue lifeguard and wildlife production marine safety specialist. Based in New Jersey, he works as a Paramedic and EMS Instructor and Ocean Rescue Captain throughout the year. Hudson travels as a crucial member of Discovery Channel’s team, as the Paramedic Specialist and Production Dive Safety Consultant for Shark Week, and has specialized experience coordinating large scale dive safety operations while filming large apex predators.
Joe Romeiro is a multi-award-winning veteran wildlife cinematographer/filmmaker and executive director of 333 Productions. He is a member of the Explorers Club and in 2019 the Boston Sea Rovers awarded him the esteemed “Diver of the Year” award. Joe has spent over a decade filming and interacting with sharks all over the world. He has worked with many top celebrities and holds producer and filmmaking credits for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet and many more. His mission is to showcase sharks as beautiful creatures that are critical elements to our oceans ecosystem through personal interaction, education, research and filmmaking. He has worked with many respected scientists in the field to bring to light some of the world’s first knowns about shark behavior and activities that astound audiences worldwide. Joe is the owner of a 45ft research vessel located in Rhode Island, the R/V WARFISH and has co-authored many scientific papers on shark behavior, movement, ecology and biology. He has been focusing on his local New England waters, fighting for the survival of the species that inhabit them; his main focuses are the Mako, Blue, Tiger, Porbeagle and Great White Shark along with many others. His work has fueled awareness and legislation to protect these species regionally and worldwide.
Founder & CEO Hidden Worlds Entertainment. Throughout his life, Daniel has been driven by the desire to better understand the human mind and how to utilize this knowledge to improve the impact we have on each other and the environment. This desire has been a leading force behind his decision to focus on Consumer Decision Making during his studies at Copenhagen Business School and Seoul National University where he graduated top of his class with a Master in Business and Economics. From here, Daniel ventured to apply this knowledge in a real-world context. Focusing on sustainability finance early in his career, Daniel established and headed the Financial Engineering division of Vestas Wind in China. Here he structured several Gigawatts worth of wind energy finance and helped the company to transition from a price-based, to a value-based sales model through internal stakeholder management and the development of new products and solutions. During his free time, he consulted for several international companies on their China market strategy. Among them The Third Floor, Hollywood’s leading previsualization company, which led him to develop a strong interest in the impact of storytelling a passion that has defined his career ever since. Gaining a foothold in the entertainment industry, Daniel developed the idea of 360-degree destination cinemas which ultimately led to him joining Oracle Projects International as a partner. Despite being involved in several large scale and truly impressive immersive activations, Daniel came to realize that something was missing. There was neither purpose nor positive impact in what he did, leading him to conceptualize the future one where entertainment not only wows audiences but also produces positive and measurable change. A perfect platform to utilize his strong background in psychology, sustainability, entertainment, and finance. Teaming up with some of the world’s leading individuals in themed entertainment, conservation, technology and storytelling, the resulting venture Hidden Worlds Entertainment is set to redefine one segment of the leisure market at a time starting with the aquarium industry.
James Sternlicht has been a lifelong advocate for environmental initiatives with a passion for ocean conservation. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Oceanic Global, a partner non-profit driving ocean-focused education, b2b, and policy solutions, particularly focused on blockchain. Beyond his work in ocean conservation, James works on systems change and thought leadership through his roles with Foundation House CT & his family foundation, spearheading multi-pronged initiatives to improve the human condition while protecting the natural world. His passions include history, economics, and technology, and he currently serves in advisory roles with organizations working on the implementation of data science and artificial intelligence for good. He attended Dartmouth College and holds a BA in Environmental Studies & Geography.
Dr. Rashid Sumaila is Professor and Director, Fisheries Economics Research Unit and the OceanCanada Partnership at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in bioeconomics, marine ecosystem valuation and the analysis of global issues such as fisheries subsidies, illegal fishing, climate change and oil spills. Sumaila is deeply interested in how economics, through integration with ecology and other disciplines, can be used to help ensure that environmental resources are sustainably managed for the benefit of all generations. He has experience working in fisheries and natural resource projects in Norway, Canada and the North Atlantic region, Namibia and the Southern African region, Ghana and the West African region and Hong Kong and the South China Sea.
Sumaila has published extensively, including in Science, Nature and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. He is winner of the 2017 Volvo Environmental Prize, 2017 Benchley Oceans Award in Science; 2016 UBC Killam Research Prize; 2013 American Fisheries Society Excellence in Public Outreach Award; 2009 Stanford Leopold Leadership Fellowship and 2008 Pew Marine Fellowship. Sumaila was named a Hokkaido University Ambassador in 2016. He has given talks at the UN Rio+20, the WTO, the White House, the Canadian Parliament, the African Union, the European Union and the British House of Lords. His research has generated a great deal of interest, and has been cited by, among others, The Economist, The Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, the Globe and Mail, the Wall Street Journal and Vancouver Sun.
Tony is the Program Director for The International SeaKeepers Society’s Discovery Yacht Program. A Miami native, he has always had a love for the ocean. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Florida State University in Tallahassee and a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law from St. Thomas University School of Law. He works to engage the yachting community in the pursuit of scientific research, education, and conservation of our oceans. It is in this capacity that he has worked with Beneath the Waves several times as both vessel liaison, connector, and research assistant.
Brazilian born, Cleveland raised, filmmaker Filipe DeAndrade has a passion for wildlife and freely admits he is addicted to adventure. Filipe graduated from the University of Florida and started a production house with his friends called Comfort Theory. In 2015 Filipe won National Geographic’s Wild to Inspire short film competition at the Sun Valley Film Festival and is a 20 Time NY Emmy Award Winner as producer and photographer. Nat Geo WILD invited Filipe to work on several documentary projects and he is currently producing the WILD YouTube show Untamed for National Geographic.
Jeff King is founder of InsightFuel, an engineering services company reversing global warming by displacing dirty energy and fuel with clean, domestic renewable natural gas. Jeff began his career with BFGoodrich Aerospace, then moved to SSP Fittings where he eventually served as President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, and holds an MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, where he majored in entrepreneurship and operations management. Jeff holds a commercial pilot’s license and enjoys traveling with his wife and 4 children, and when possible, his 2 dogs.
Steve is a Senior Vice President and relationship manager for Bank of America / Merrill Lynch in the Baltimore, MD office, serving middle market companies with annual revenues of $50 million to $2 billion. He is responsible for business development, strengthening client relationships, and helping customers meet their financial goals. Steve joined the bank from Wells Fargo & Co., where he served as Market Director, leading a team that created comprehensive and tailored banking solutions for middle market firms. Prior to that, he held strategic roles at Citibank, NA, GE Capital, and M&T Bank. Steve earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration, both with concentrations in Finance, from Loyola University Maryland.
Wendy Benchley is a renowned global voice for protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. She co-founded the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Awards,™ honoring her late husband’s legacy, to recognize the exceptional conservation work being done by marine scientists, researchers, explorers, and policy makers both in the United States and around the world. Fiercely committed to finding solutions and making progress on complex ocean issues, Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community and supports many of the world’s leading ocean and environmental philanthropies. She was the 2014 recipient of the International SeaKeepers Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted into the Women’s Diving Hall of Fame in 2015, received the 2016 Beneath the Sea ‘Diver of the Year for Environmentalism’ Award, the 2017 Pegasus Foundation Wings Award for excellence in animal and habitat protection, and the 2019 Rob Stewart Foundation Lifetime Achievement for Ocean Conservation Award.
