Kiblas Soaladaob
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 […]
Berthalynn Ngirasechedui
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 […]
Vanessa F. Fread
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 […]
Nicole Christian
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 […]
Pritesh Nand
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 […]
Hannah Wheaton
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 […]
Samantha Kies-Ryan
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. […]
Liz Parissenti
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 […]
Michael D. Guilbeaux
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 […]
Donna Chandra
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 […]
Martin Romain
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 […]
Jeff Leppo
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 […]
Dr. Stuart Sandin
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 […]
Dr. 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 […]
Dr. 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. […]
Dr. Alan Friedlander
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 […]
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 […]
Dr. 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 […]
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 […]
Dr. Bernie Tershy
Dr. Tershy is an Adjunct Professor and a Research Biologist in the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). He also directs the Coastal Conservation Action Lab at UCSC.
Dr. Igor Korneitchouk
As a philanthropist, Dr. Igor Korneitchouk, a retired music professor, has been involved in efforts to rid the oceans of plastic refuse, spearheading and helping to sponsor the Plastics Awareness Global Initiative, a symposium of scientists gathered from around the world to address this problem.
Dr. Lida Teneva
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.
John Dawson
Mr. Dawson 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 various leading-edge nonprofits.
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 […]
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 […]
Christopher LaFranchi
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.