Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans

Director of Communications, North America, Communications

Based in: Washington, DC, USA

Among my happiest childhood memories are chance encounters with hermit crabs, multi-colored sea anemones and playful sea otters in Monterey Bay, California. Since then, I've observed a school of dolphins cavorting in the Mediterranean and sea turtles feeding in the sun-dappled Caribbean.

By sharing the latest observations of marine scientists studying the world's oceans - such as evidence of irreversible damage caused by overfishing, pollution and climate change - and explaining what's at stake if these trends continue, my work helps to secure stronger protections for ocean habitat. Although oceans are very resilient, their bounty is finite. Many rungs of the aquatic food chain are under great stress from human activity. Oceana campaigns in North America to stop the damage and restore the habitats of the most endangered sea creatures.

In partnership with many colleagues and news organizations worldwide, I work to persuade policymakers and the public of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems and to describe potential solutions. My qualifications include nearly a decade of work as a researcher and reporter for The Washington Post and more than a decade of strategic communications counsel for non-profits advocating for better environmental and public health protections, including the League of Conservation Voters, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Environmental Media Services.