Our Team

Pacific ocean leaders working with indigenous communities for sustainability while promoting eco-friendly practices and educational outreach.

Staff

Our staff come from diverse backgrounds, including marine biology, environmental science, and community development. Together, they work to ensure that our initiatives are effective and culturally sensitive.

Daysha Ngirur Adelbai

Daysha Ngirur Adelbai

Micronesia Community Programs Lead and Finance Officer

About Ngirur
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Michael D. Guilbeaux

MiCOAST Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

About Michael

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors helps set OneReef’s strategic direction, establishes long-term goals and objectives, and helps secure long-term financing for programmatic activities. The Board consists of leaders in marine conservation, private investment, and economics. Each board member brings valuable experience, such as expertise in fundraising or a deep understanding of marine policy. This collective knowledge is crucial in guiding our initiatives and making informed decisions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

Science Advisory Board

The SAB (Science Advisory Board) provides guidance and scientific advice to support and evaluate the measurements of the organization’s advancement to its objectives and impact goals.

Members of the SAB include renowned scientists and experts in marine ecosystems, who provide insights based on the latest research and trends in conservation. Their recommendations are invaluable for shaping our programs and ensuring they are rooted in sound science.

The Science Advisory Board plays a critical role in our organization by regularly reviewing the latest research and scientific advancements in marine conservation. This ensures that our strategies are based on evidence and best practices. For example, they recently evaluated a new method for monitoring coral health using underwater drones, which can provide real-time data. By integrating such technologies, we can enhance our ability to assess marine environments and respond to changes more rapidly. Furthermore, the SAB collaborates with academic institutions and research organizations to facilitate knowledge transfer, ensuring that our initiatives are grounded in the latest scientific findings and methodologies.

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Kiblas Soaladaob

Palau Country Director

Kiblas joins OneReef after serving as Director of the Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation within Palau’s Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Development. Prior to that, Kiblas was the National Coordinator of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) Small Grants Program in Palau.

Kiblas graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a Master of Arts degree in Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her Master’s thesis explored the idea of reforming Palau’s education system with a focus on cultural Palauan identity and heritage as the foundational core.

Kiblas is passionate about and interested in Palauan traditional ecological knowledge and has published papers on cultural keystone plants in Palau and the role of taro fields and mangroves in protecting coral reefs. She has lectured in anthropology at the local community college and has been involved with Palauan youth and women’s groups.

Kiblas is also a well‑known local musician. She released her first solo album in 2022, performs regularly across Palau, and plays guitar with her church choir in Ngaraard.

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Berthalynn Ngirasechedui

Micronesia Finance Officer

Berthalynn is a dedicated finance professional with a strong background in financial operations, transaction processing, and administrative support. With prior experience as a bank teller and years of leadership in retail operations, she brings a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, and organizational efficiency to her role. Her ability to manage budgets, maintain records, and support cross-functional teams makes her a valuable asset to our mission-driven organization, OneReef Worldwide Stewardship. Passionate about community-focused work, Bertha combines her financial expertise with a commitment to supporting sustainable and collaborative conservation efforts across island communities.

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Vanessa F. Fread

Yap Program Manager

Vanessa is a Yapese practitioner in marine conservation and climate resilience, with over two decades of experience driving community-led solutions across Micronesia. Her work has helped shape national policies, empowered local voices, built capacity and advanced gender equity in environmental programs. She has held key roles—from Assistant Secretary of FSM’s Department of Resources and Development to Technical Specialist for various projects—where she worked to build inclusive strategies and tools for protected area management, communications, food security and sustainable fisheries and resource management. Vanessa’s approach is one of collaboration, innovation, and deep care for island communities and the ocean that sustains them.

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Nicole Christian

Board Member

Nicole is a dedicated champion of ocean and reef conservation, bringing more than 30
years of experience in nonprofit leadership and governance. She is the Co-Founder of
City Kids Wilderness Project, a nonprofit that provides urban youth with transformative
outdoor experiences, and has served on the boards of numerous education and
conservation organizations.

Her passion for marine conservation was sparked while living aboard a 46-foot sloop in
the Caribbean and Mediterranean—an experience that instilled both a profound love
for the sea and a deep concern for its inhabitants and ecosystems. An avid scuba
diver, she has witnessed firsthand the urgent need to protect and restore the world’s
reefs and marine life. She strives to inspire others to join the effort to preserve these
beautiful and vital places.

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Pritesh Nand

MiCOAST Finance-Administration Officer

Pritesh is a seasoned Finance, Grants, and Administration professional with over a decade of experience across international development, multilateral organizations, civil society, and academia in the Pacific.

With previous roles at the United Nations World Food Programme, UNDRR, UNDP, and the University of the South Pacific, Pritesh brings a strong track record in donor reporting, financial management, grant management, human resources, and operational strategy. He holds a Master’s in Finance degree from Portugal’s University of Porto, along with multiple postgraduate qualifications.

Pritesh also serves as a Justice of the Peace in Fiji, voluntarily supporting local communities, and is deeply committed to sustainable development, climate adaptation & resilience, climate financing, and has recently developed a keen interest in community empowerment through nature-based solutions.

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Hannah Wheaton

MiCOAST GEDSI Advisor

Hannah is a development practitioner with over a decade of experience in the Pacific, specializing in gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI). She holds a Master’s degree in Climate Change and Development and currently serves as the GEDSI Advisor for the MiCOAST project, where she works with partner organizations to embed inclusive approaches that improve participation and equity. Her background in both the private and development sectors supports practical, community-driven solutions to climate resilience and sustainable coastal management under the Kiwa Initiative.

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Samantha Kies-Ryan

MiCOAST Communications Officer

Samantha is a communication and social impact specialist. She is based in the Marshall Islands, where she has been working in sustainable resource management and climate change adaptation. She recently worked with FAO on their social communications campaign for the FISH4ACP project, getting more Marshallese engaged in sustainable tuna fisheries.

Samantha is an experienced communications and media professional with 15 years of experience working in Australia and the Pacific, focusing on communication for development and social change, as well as community-based media across print, radio, digital storytelling, and film. Samantha has run her own company and is working in community-based resource management. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication, Media and Culture) from the University of South Australia and a Master of Communication (Communication for Social Change) from the University of Queensland. She holds a professional Doctorate from the Queensland University of Technology, focusing on community cultural story mapping in community-based water management in the Solomon Islands. Last year, Samantha was a Research Collaboration and Innovation Exchange Fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu. Samantha is an Adjunct Fellow at the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

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Liz Parissenti

Board Member

Liz is a Senior Program Officer at Resources Legacy Fund, where she leads programs focused on improving the health of California’s watersheds, implementing California’s network of marine protected areas (MPAs), and advancing climate-ready fisheries. Prior to RLF, Liz worked as the U.S. Program Manager at OneReef Worldwide Stewardship where she facilitated expansion of OneReef’s community partnerships and monitoring efforts, and she is thrilled to continue supporting OneReef’s important work as a Board Member. Liz has also worked at the ocean-focused consulting and strategy firm Strategic Earth Consulting; completed a Sea Grant Fellowship at the California Ocean Protection Council; worked as a scientific diver and divemaster in Thailand and Cambodia; and worked on marine research projects in Baja California and Australia.

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Michael D. Guilbeaux

MiCOAST Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Michael is the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist for the Kiwa Initiative’s regional MiCOAST project, which he helped design. With 30+ years advancing marine stewardship across Micronesia and Southeast Asia alongside communities, local governments, and regional networks—including the Pacific Islands Managed and Protected Areas Community (PIMPAC) and the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network—he develops and implements strategies that strengthen policy and compliance and help local teams turn data into decisions that deliver measurable gains in biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

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Donna Chandra

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Donna’s innate respect and reverence for nature was instilled in her by her family, shaped by adventures in the Sierra Nevadas including planting hundreds of trees, summers swimming and fishing in Almaden’s creeks, and sailing on the San Francisco Bay with her grandfather. These early experiences instilled in her a profound respect for the natural world and a lasting commitment to its preservation.

Donna is a firm believer in the transformative power of community-led solutions to address local and global challenges. As a proud member of the OneReef team, she is dedicated to supporting and amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines of climate change in the Pacific.

With over 20 years of professional expertise, Donna brings a unique blend of skills to her work. She has seven years of successful nonprofit operations and development experience, including leadership roles in both international and community-based organizations. Prior to moving over to the nonprofit world, as an attorney Donna represented clients on complex international matters, equipping her with a global perspective and a results-driven approach to problem-solving.

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Martin Romain

Director of Programs

Martin is a seasoned project manager and marine scientist with over a decade of experience, particularly in the Pacific region. His work in the Marshall Islands spans multiple leadership and advisory roles, including serving as Chief Technical Advisor for the Ridge to Reef Program, where he integrated environmental, socio-economic, and cultural data into resource management plans. As Executive Director of the Marshall Islands Conservation Society, Martin led initiatives in fisheries management, climate resilience, and community empowerment. Currently, as Regional Project Manager for MiCOAST, he continues to drive sustainable coastal management under the Kiwa Initiative, promoting community-based fisheries management and ecosystem conservation.

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Jeff Leppo

Secretary

Jeff is a retired attorney with 40 years of counseling, permitting and trial court experience at the intersection between law and science.  His law practice focused on ensuring businesses and trade associations understood and successfully navigated complex environmental regulatory regimes, particularly involving endangered species, marine mammals, climate change, natural resources and Arctic issues.  Jeff is inspired by and passionately supports community-led conservation as a critically important and successful international conservation model.  He currently serves on the boards of OneReef and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

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Dr. Stuart Sandin

SAB Member

Dr. Stuart Sandin is a community ecologist who has worked broadly in the fields of wildlife study, management, and conservation across the insular tropics. Dr. Sandin is a professor of marine ecology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UC San Diego, where he is the Oliver Chair in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation and serves as the director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. His research laboratory at SIO conducts research to understand the interactions among marine organisms with a focus on coral reef communities. Among the flagship programs from his lab, the Scripps 100 Island Challenge provided a comprehensive view of the variability of coral reef community structure across the tropics and through time, providing a benchmark of understanding to help inform the efforts of coral reef management and conservation professionals globally.

Michael Webster

Dr. Michael Webster

SAB Member

Dr. Michael Mehta Webster is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Environmental Studies. He earned a Ph.D. in Zoology at Oregon State University, and a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin.

Webster is an expert in ecology, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and philanthropy. His research focuses on how to promote the adaptation of species and ecosystems to ongoing environmental change.  Much of his recent work has centered on reef-building corals, which are struggling to adjust to warming ocean temperatures and a host of other environmental changes. Webster is also the author of The Rescue Effect: The Key to Saving Life on Earth, which describes nature’s innate ability to persist during environmental change and the growing set of tools that people can apply to facilitate adaptation.

Prior to joining NYU, Webster led efforts to improve the management and conservation of coral reefs as the Executive Director of the Coral Reef Alliance, and of wild Pacific salmon as a Program Officer at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He has also held positions as a Visiting Research Scientist at NYU, a Visiting Professor of Practice at Cornell University, and a Postdoctoral Researcher at Oregon State University.

Greg Asner

Dr. Greg Asner

SAB Member

Dr. Greg Asner is Director of the Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, an Arizona State University research unit based in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Following service as a U.S. Navy Diver, he studied at the University of Hawaiʻi and worked at The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi. Asner received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Colorado (1997) based on his conservation research on Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi islands. In 2000, he joined the Carnegie Institution for Science, where he led the Pacific Ridge- to-Reef Program and the Carnegie Airborne Observatory in Hilo, providing ecosystem mapping and monitoring services to State and federal agencies. In 2018, he co-founded the Hawaiʻi Marine Education and Research Center, a non-profit convening center for communities and government agencies on Hawaiʻi Island. In 2019, Arizona State University hired Asner in Hawaiʻi, naming him professor and director to advance solutions-oriented research and education in coastal and marine conservation. In 2023, he founded the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Reef Restoration Program in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources and communities on West Hawaiʻi island. Dr. Asner’s scientific efforts focus on large-scale land and reef ecosystem diagnostics, restoration, and decision-making using extensive field work, community engagement, airborne and satellite mapping, and computer modeling. He has published more than 950 scientific reports and has served numerous state, national, and international programs. Asner’s career recognition includes a NASA Career Award (2000), Presidential Career Award (2000), America Geophysical Union Fellow (2015), Ecological Society of America Fellow (2016), and Heinz Award for Environment (2017). In 2013, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Asner is honored to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs and is excited to support the State’s vital marine cultural, environmental, and economic sustainability efforts. 

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Dr. Alan Friedlander

SAB Member

Over the past 40 years Dr. Alan Friedlander has spent > 12,000 hours underwater—from coral reefs to the poles and to depths of thousands of meters. Alan is Senior Marine Scientist for the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas program, and a researcher at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Hawai‘i. He leads research efforts to help understand and conserve iconic, special places in the ocean and is an expert in marine ecology, fisheries, and conservation. His work on marine protected areas ranges from small locally community-managed areas to some of the largest protected areas on the planet. Over the past decade, Alan has led 40+ expeditions to some of the last wild places in the ocean, which has resulted in the creation of 27 large marine protected areas encompassing > 6.6 million square kilometers.

 Alan started his career in the early 1980s in the Kingdom of Tonga working on sustainable small-scale fisheries. Following this, he obtained an MS in Oceanography from Old Dominion University working on coastal fisheries in Puerto Rico. He then worked for the territorial fisheries agency and the National Park Service in the US Virgin Islands where he conducted research on coral reefs throughout the Caribbean. Alan received his Ph.D. from the University of Hawai‘i and was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Fellow of the Explorers Club.

Ann Cannella

Ann Cannella

Director of Finance

With nearly a decade in international development, Ann brings financial expertise and a strong commitment to global impact. Guided by a deep love for the ocean, she is driven to protect its ecosystems. Ann is a Certified Public Accountant and has held senior finance roles in nonprofits and corporations, gaining valuable insights in financial analytics, risk management, and strategic investments. Her ability to navigate complex financial challenges and identify growth opportunities has been instrumental in driving sustainability and impact. She is passionate about supporting island communities and fostering collaboration and innovation within the team at OneReef.

Nicole Yamase

Dr. Nicole Yamase

Director of Impact

Nicole is a marine biologist, cultural advocate, and environmental leader from the islands of Pohnpei and Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia. She has long been dedicated to mentoring and uplifting Pacific Island voices in both local and global spaces—a commitment she continues to uphold since earning her Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As Director of Impact at OneReef, she bridges science and cultural knowledge to foster meaningful partnerships across the Pacific. Nicole works closely with local organizations and communities to define, measure, and communicate impact in ways that honor and elevate their stories and stewardship.

Patty Azzarello

Patty Azzarello

Board Member

Patty is an executive, best-selling author, speaker and CEO/Business Advisor. She has more than 25+ years of experience working in high tech and business. She has held leadership roles in General Management, Marketing, Software Product Development and Sales. She has been successful in running and transforming large and small businesses, and has significant international management experience. Patty is a business leadership speaker who has actually been a successful business leader. Because of the extraordinary nature of her own, fast growing career as a technology business executive, Patty brings a perspective unlike other business speakers. As a result, people are drawn to her heartfelt, no-nonsense, often humorous stories about surviving and mastering the unavoidable realities of running a business.

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Dr. Bernie Tershy

SAB Member

Dr. Bernie Tershy is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Island Conservation, a science-based NGO that has protected 242 seabird colonies and 224 insular endemics from extinction, and has created over 900,000 hectares of new marine and island protected areas in Mexico. He specializes in development of conservation NGOs, conservation biology, and island ecosystems. He is also a member of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, and the Galapagos Island Invasive Species Technical Advisory Group.

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Dr. Igor Korneitchouk

Board Member

Dr. Korneitchouk first encountered Chris LaFranchi and other members of OneReef during an expedition to Palau with marine biologists from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography which partners with OneReef on its 100 Island Challenge. Since that moment Dr. Korneitchouk became very curious in the work of OneReef and how he can learn from them, understanding that ultimately all these issues connect. He is now on the OneReef Board of Directors.

Lida Teneva

Dr. Lida Teneva

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Lida Teneva is an environmental conservation leader with 15+ years of work in ocean policy, climate science and oceanography, marine protection, and developing philanthropic programs. She has worked in conservation across Pacific Islands, Latin America, Caribbean, East Africa, Antarctica, Greenland, Norway/Svalbard, and Indonesia.  She has worked on the science and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) for 15 years with international organizations, policy-makers, and local Indigenous communities.

She has worked with nonprofits and philanthropy both. As a Trustee to the Mary G. Jameson Foundation, Dr. Lida Teneva advises on grant-making programs for marine protection globally. As former VP of WWF, she developed a new global Area-Based Conservation (MPA) program, to strategically strengthen marine protection in Southeast Asia, South Pacific, Latin America, and East Africa. Prior to this, she supported the translation of science into policy in California and created a new Legislative Services program as Director of California Ocean Science Trust, to influence public policy and regulations on a number of ocean protection and climate topics in California. At the Dalio Foundation, she created ship-based ocean expeditions that led to strengthened MPA protection and new discoveries for sharks and deep-sea species. In prior positions with Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Dr. Lida Teneva worked with local Indigenous communities in Hawai‘i and Fiji on community-based stewardship of their coral reefs. Previously, as a coral reef ecologist, she studied climate change resilience of coral reefs across Pacific atolls, Caribbean islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Dr. Lida Teneva has helped found environmental education organizations and holds several NGO Board positions. Originally from Bulgaria, she earned her PhD at Stanford University and a Master’s degree at Columbia University. Living in California, she enjoys SCUBA diving, fly fishing, cooking, and flying light aircraft.

John DawsonJohn Dawson

Chair

When John isn’t diving, he divides his time between Palo Alto and his family land in Vermont. John is a retired entrepreneur who has helped to create several successful startup companies. He has spent the past 20 years serving as a board member and donor for several leading-edge nonprofits and has been a lecturer for the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program. He currently serves on the boards of OneReef and NRDC Action Fund, and is on the advisory board of Sustainable Conservation. He has contributed to conservation through his engagement with organizations he recognizes as innovative and impactful.

Daysha Ngirur Adelbai

Daisha Ngirur Adelbai

Micronesia Community Programs Lead and Finance Officer
Ngirur serves as the financial lead for OneReef’s Micronesia office, where she oversees budgeting, financial planning, and daily transaction management to support marine conservation across the Micronesia region. She holds an AS degree in Environmental/Marine Science from Palau Community College and has participated in research programs in Japan, Hawai‘i, and Guam that deepened her commitment to island sustainability. Blending financial oversight with her passion for the environment, Ngirur finds purpose in protecting Palau’s ecosystems for future generations. Outside of work, she enjoys land and sea adventures with her family and friends.

Clivia Masami

Clivia Masami

Palau Country Manager

Clivia is responsible for connecting with our Partner Communities in Palau, helping to coordinate and execute their activities and projects, and participating in workshops, online webinars, and training. With an educational background in Tourism and Hospitality, her non-profit work experience, including office administration and operations, began in 2015. As a young Palauan steward, Clivia shares a passion and commitment for community resilience, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation through her traditional and modern knowledge from working with different Palauan organizations and her local elders. Her core values are mainly about giving back to the community through RESPECT and HUMILITY. Clivia has a deep passion for conserving our Land, our Ocean, and our Natural Resources. She believes that the existence of her small Micronesian community will fade away if we don’t preserve and protect these things that make Palauan people who they are. Clivia comes from the smallest state in Babeldaob (Ngiwal State), where they are well known to have “big” appetites. She also has a deep love for animals, plants, and nature.

Christopher LaFranchi

Christopher LaFranchi

Founder and President

Chris founded OneReef on the principle that mobilizing indigenous communities with a direct relationship with the Pacific Ocean and drawing upon their ancestral stewardship is the most equitable, cost-effective, and scalable method to adapt to climate change.

Prior to founding OneReef, Chris lived in Africa and Indonesia and performed field work in at least 12 countries, including engagements with the World Bank, NOAA, USAID and WWF. He also taught at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey.

A 2003 Mulago Rainer Arnhold Fellow, Chris was also nominated for the Pew Fellowship in Marine Science in 2015. He often presents at international conferences including the Bioneers Conference and the International Coral Reef Symposium.

Chris holds an M.S. in Natural Resource Economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a B.S. in Biology and Technical Journalism from Oregon State University.