About Us - Mission Blue

About Us

 
I wish you would use all means at your disposal—films, expeditions, the web, new submarines—to create a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas; Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet.

Mission Blue inspires action to explore and protect the ocean. Led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas – Hope Spots. Under Dr. Earle’s leadership, the Mission Blue team implements communications campaigns that elevate Hope Spots to the world stage through documentaries, social media, traditional media and innovative tools like Esri ArcGIS. Mission Blue also embarks on regular oceanic expeditions that shed light on these vital ecosystems and build support for their protection. Currently, the Mission Blue alliance includes more than 200 respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations, from large multinational companies to individual scientific teams doing important research. Additionally, Mission Blue supports the work of conservation NGOs that share the mission of building public support for ocean protection. With the concerted effort and passion of people and organizations around the world, Hope Spots can become a reality and form a global network of marine protected areas large enough to restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet.

 
 
 

Board of Directors

Sylvia Earle PhD : President and Co-Chair
Sylvia Earle PhD
President and Co-Chair
Sylvia Earle is President and Chairman of Mission Blue / The Sylvia Earle Alliance. She is a National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence, and is called Her Deepness by the New Yorker and the New York Times, Living Legend by the Library of Congress, and first Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine. She is an oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist, government official, and director for several corporate and non-profit organizations....
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John Vermilye : Co-Chair
John Vermilye
Co-Chair
John Vermilye is an Entrepreneur, Environmentalist and Philanthropist. He is Chairman of the Swiss based Gallifrey Foundation which supports marine conservation and social enterprise education. He has been active in marine conservation issues for over 40 years and was a co-founder of the Mare Nostrum Foundation with Dr. Luc Cuyvers. John’s career has been built around the airline industry and is the owner and Chairman of Travel Sentry which sets standards for the luggage and airline industry providing solutions to benefit passengers, airlines, airports and security agencies....
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Dona Bertarelli :
Dona Bertarelli
Dona Bertarelli is a philanthropist, ocean advocate, and the fastest woman to sail around the world. She is a Patron of Nature of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and co-chair of the Bertarelli Foundation. Dona joined forces with The Pew Charitable Trusts, continuing their long-term collaboration and forming a new partnership, the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, to advance ocean protection by working with philanthropic partners, indigenous groups, community leaders, government officials, and scientists. She founded Sails of Change with her children and husband, Yann Guichard, to shine a light on the importance of ensuring a sustainable balance between nature and people. Dona also launched Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager to help with management, monitoring and stewardship of existing reserves, and support efforts to create new reserves and expand existing ones.…...
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Nicola Esposito :
Nicola Esposito
Nicola Esposito is a dedicated ocean advocate from Panama with a strong passion for marine conservation. Growing up along the coast, his connection to the sea was inspired by his family's deep love for the ocean. With a maritime education from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point), including an ocean-spanning circumnavigation during his studies, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of maritime operations. His global exposure and expertise in sustainability, real estate, and business excellence equip him to contribute significantly to marine conservation efforts. Nicola's involvement in NGOs like United Way Panama and Fosart further demonstrates his commitment to making a positive impact on his community and environment....
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Linda Glover :
Linda Glover
Linda Glover has been a leader in ocean science, policy, and public outreach for decades. Her research work includes shipboard science in the North Atlantic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean, with publications in marine geology and ancient climates. She is known for translating complex scientific concepts and jargon into language accessible to the general public and has published several reference books on ocean conservation and space science....
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Sharon Kwok :
Sharon Kwok
Sharon Kwok was born in Hong Kong of a Chinese mother and an American father of Germanic decent. Much of her childhood was spent at Ocean Park as her father was one of the founding members. Sharon has been featured in over a dozen films. Sharon is pursuing new and challenging means of expressing her art as well as writing books to raise environmental awareness in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Over the past several years, Sharon has been playing an active role in environmental conservation, focusing especially on issues that are related to Hong Kong and China’s unsustainable exploitation of wildlife....
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Gabrielle Raymond McGee :
Gabrielle Raymond McGee
Gabrielle Raymond McGee is a creative marketing Executive in New York City and Philadelphia where she leads the Tory Burch Foundation as Chief Operating Officer. Under her leadership the Tory digital initiatives have become the go to resources for women entrepreneurs. Gabrielle is responsible for creating the Seed Box, a sold-out curated box featuring women-owned products, marketing the Capital program, which has deployed $50 million+ in loans for women. ...
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Robert Nixon :
Robert Nixon
Robert Nixon is an American film director, writer and lifelong conservationist. Raised in a Philadelphia suburb, he aspired to be a field biologist before taking up a career in film. His films, often focus on the battles of tribal peoples and field biologists, include Amazon Diary, America The Beautiful, The End of the Game, Fossey's War, Gorillas in the Mist, Endangered Species and Mission Blue....
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Shannon O’Leary Joy :
Shannon O’Leary Joy
Shannon O’Leary Joy is an avid ocean advocate, serving on the Board of WildAid, as well as on the Executive Committee of Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance and as Executive Director of the EarthSense Foundation....
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Shari Sant Plummer :
Shari Sant Plummer
Environmental philanthropist and ocean activist Shari Sant Plummer is President and Founder of Code Blue Charitable Foundation, Secretary/Trustee of the Summit Charitable Foundation, founding board member of the Sylvia Earle Alliance, and Vice President of Seacology. Shari is also a member of the Ocean Unite and Blue Ocean Film Festival Advisory Boards, and the World Wildlife Fund’s National Council. As a member of the Smithsonian Ocean Initiative Advisory Council, Shari helped create the Sant Ocean Hall at the National Museum of Natural History....
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Philippe Prufer :
Philippe Prufer
Philippe has a degree in Economics from UFRJ (Brazil), an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross Business School (USA),  and participated in training at various institutions, including Harvard (USA) and INSEAD (France). He was an executive at Eli Lilly & Co. from 1988 to 2010. During his twenty-two years at Lilly, Philippe performed functions in Strategic Planning, Sales, Marketing and General Management in Brazil, Argentina, USA and Europe. Before joining Lilly, Philippe worked for L’Oreal and Brahma (now Ambev/ABI) in Brazil. Since 2011 he has been the Senior Partner and CEO of SKP (Brazil) where he manages a broad portfolio of ESG and Impact investments around the world. He is a Partner and CEO of the Philanthropic Association IEP/AIEP (Brazil), which supports projects in the areas of Environment (focus on Marine Conservation and Forests), Education, Health and Human Rights. He is a member of the Board of Mission Blue (USA), of the Board of the Instituto Ayrton Senna (Brazil), of the Advisory Committee of the Islands of Rio Project (Brazil), of the Advisory Committee of WWF Brazil and of the Amazon Concertation (Brazil). He was a Board Member of Mangels (Brazil), GTT (Brazil), WWF International (where he was the Leader of the Finance and Investment Committee), WFF Brazil (where he was the Leader of the Marketing Committee and Chair), Amcham Brazil, Amcham Argentina, Interfarma and Caeme. He was recognized as “Value Executive - Pharmaceutical Sector” in 2005 by Valor Economico (Brazil), “Leader of the Pharmaceutical Sector” in 2004 and 2005 by Gazeta Mercantil (Brazil), “Spirit of Amcham” in 2005 by Amcham Brazil and “Wertman Alumni Service Award” in 2009 by the Michigan Ross Business School (USA). Philippe has a multicultural background. He lived in several countries, and communicates fluently in various languages. He currently lives in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil....
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Vasser Seydel :
Vasser Seydel
Vasser Seydel graduated with cum laude honors from the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. During her time in Athens, Vasser worked for UGA’S Office of Sustainability as the Grants and Engagement Director, represented the university as the UGA Student Sustainability Ambassador, and pursued an education outside the classroom as an intern at the United Nations Foundation and TEDWomen. After graduation, she began consulting with non-profit, business, and individual clients, specializing in communications, digital media, and strategic development, to enhance brands that create positive impacts on society. Vasser continues to promote and support her family’s legacy and commitment to environmental responsibility through her family’s foundation, the Turner Foundation, as a board member and the first Chairperson of the Turner 3rd Generation board.…...
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Will Travis :
Will Travis
Will Travis is creative industry leader and a respected global brand builder. Over his 27 years of business, he has launched six businesses, navigated teams of 2,000 plus creatives, won hundreds of global creative awards and sold two of the world's leading and largest creative agencies (Attik and SidLee) to global multinational holding companies (Dentsu and Hakuhodo), where he took CEO roles since 1998....
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Emeritus Directors

Jenifer Austin • Gigi Brisson • Meg Caldwell • Patty Elkus • Erik Gordon •  Daryl Hannah • John Hanke
Michael Holland • Ann Hurley • Dan Laffoley • Carl Gustaf Lundin • Ann K. Luskey • Greg MacGillivray • Jim Toomey
 
 

Our Staff

Sylvia A. Earle : President and Co-Chair
Sylvia A. Earle
President and Co-Chair
National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, called Her Deepness by the New Yorker and the New York Times, Living Legend by the Library of Congress, and first Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine, is an oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist,...
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Rob “Waldo” Martin : Chief Operating Officer
Rob “Waldo” Martin
Chief Operating Officer
As the Chief Operating Officer, Waldo manages the foundation’s day-to-day operations, overseeing the accounting, financial reporting, legal, and human resources functions. As the primary liaison between the Board of Directors, Dr. Earle, staff, and external partners, he develops and implements business processes that enable efficient operations throughout the organization. Waldo joined the foundation in August 2023 following a 31-year career in the Royal Canadian Air Force and almost ten years in the private/non-profit sector. While in uniform, Waldo gained global leadership experience in operations, team development, policy advising, and strategy formulation. His last assignment was at NORAD and USNORTHCOM, where he served as a strategic advisor to the Commander and as Chief of Staff, Operations Division. A former fighter pilot, he is a veteran of Operations Allied Force (Kosovo) and Iraqi Freedom. He also commanded an international flying training squadron in a public-private partnership with Bombardier Aerospace. After retiring from the military, Waldo was a senior program manager at a Fortune 50 aerospace company. Most recently, he served as the Vice President / Chief of Staff of the Boettcher Foundation, supporting investments in community building and transformational impact. Waldo holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Carleton University and will complete a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University in May 2024. Outside work, Waldo serves on the board of the YMCA of Northern Colorado and the steering committee for Leadership Veteran, a non-profit leadership development program for veterans. A strong believer in the importance of leadership, he guest lectures on the topic at several higher education institutions. Originally from Canada, Waldo is passionate about hockey (he still plays on two teams), organic gardening, and doing his part to preserve the world for future generations. He resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, her son, and their German shepherds, Duke and Penny. Fun Fact: Waldo is a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force air demonstration team, the Snowbirds....
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Dr. Tessa Hempson : Chief Scientist
Dr. Tessa Hempson
Chief Scientist
Dr. Tessa Hempson is a conservation biologist with a curiosity about the natural world that began growing up in the African savannas but quickly led her to the ocean. In her role as Chief Scientist for Mission Blue, Tessa is working to integrate a science-based approach to catalyze the organization’s extensive network and realize Dr. Sylvia Earle’s vision for ocean protection. Tessa has over 20 years of experience in marine conservation and is passionate about working with people to develop conservation solutions that are founded on strong collaborative relationships, well-targeted research, effective communication and storytelling, and underwritten by empowered local custodianship of our marine environment. Tessa holds a BSc. Hons, and an MSc. in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town, and a PhD in coral reef ecology from James Cook University in Australia, where she remains an adjunct researcher. She led the establishment of the Oceans Without Borders Programme with &Beyond and Africa Foundation over 6 years in East Africa and is a member of the Monaco Explorations Scientific Advisory Committee, an Explorers Club Fellow, and has worked as a researcher in a number of remote locations around the world....
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Dan Laffoley PhD : Chair, Hope Spot Council
Dan Laffoley PhD
Chair, Hope Spot Council
Dan is Emeritus Marine Vice Chair of WCPA, having retired from that position in 2022. During his near two decades of work for WCPA he led the increase of MPA coverage from around 1.3% of the global ocean to the c8% seen today, the creation of the original global 20 – 30% MPA target in the Durban Accord, and the ‘at least 30%’ MPA target at Sydney World Park Congress. The latter, resoundingly supported by IUCN members at Hawaii World Conservation Congress, and adopted for land and freshwater, has now become the central focus for negotiations in the CBD’s post-2020 biodiversity framework. During his tenure, among many significant achievements, he was instrumental in forming the High Seas Alliance, in laying the basis for UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage Programme, and creating such influential phrases as ‘marine and coastal carbon sinks’, ‘ocean risk’, and ‘natural solutions’. Working with his co-editor Professor John Baxter, together they created some of the most downloaded publications for IUCN in recent decades, focused on elevating topics such as ‘ocean warming’ and ‘ocean deoxygenation’ into the global public domain. He also led Commission members in the development of specific marine WCPA guidance on the IUCN Management Categories and created and led the development of IUCN’s MPA Standards....
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Laura Cassiani : Chief Advancement Officer
Laura Cassiani
Chief Advancement Officer
As Chief Advancement Officer, Laura works closely with Sylvia Earle and the Board of Directors to advance Mission Blue’s growth. Offering an entrepreneurial and donor-centric approach, Laura builds strong relationships with corporate and foundation partners. She also oversees the development of sustainable revenue generating programs that align with Mission Blue’s Hope Spot program: global engagement, expeditions, policy and outreach.  A member of the senior leadership team, Laura drives the organization's mission, strategy and programs. She joined the foundation in September 2009 as Chief Operating Officer and most recently served as Executive Director from 2016-2021.  With early career roots in the technology sector prior to working for non-profits, Laura brings multi-sector expertise in strategy, programs, and partnerships. In 2002 she and her family moved to Switzerland where she worked for the secretariat of IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) working on a capital campaign for IUCN’s new LEED platinum headquarters. With issues such as sustainability, biodiversity and climate change at the initiative’s core, she brought conservation issues to light in the private sector and secured $5M during the initial phase of the campaign. For the past 15 years she has been building Mission Blue to support Dr. Sylvia Earle’s vision for a healthier, living ocean. She lives in Napa with her husband and 2 children and their Anatolian Shepard rescue, Teddy....
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Louise Baldwin : Hope Spot Specialist
Louise Baldwin
Hope Spot Specialist
Louise has always had an interest and passion for nature and on holidays with family would always be found splashing around in the ocean or exploring the tidal pools. She studied Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth in the UK and whilst there was able to obtain her SCUBA instructor and commercial diving licenses. She started her career working for a small marine conservation NGO who ran expeditions in the Philippines and Cambodia. During these expeditions she trained volunteers to SCUBA dive and to survey the coral reefs, this data was then used to inform the local government on which areas to designate as MPAs. Louise has also worked on mangrove restoration, seahorse conservation, MPA research and alternative livelihood projects for the Zoological Society of London.…...
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Max Bello : Advisor, Global Ocean Policy
Max Bello
Advisor, Global Ocean Policy
Maximiliano Bello is an international ocean policy expert who has worked in the environmental arena for over 2 decades to advance marine conservation priorities. He has worked for non-governmental organizations in Chile and the United States including The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oceana, World Wildlife Fund, Island Conservation and the Blue Whale Center, among others....
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Deb Castellana : Director of Strategic Alliances
Deb Castellana
Director of Strategic Alliances
As Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Sylvia Earle Alliance / Mission Blue, Deb is responsible for strategic planning and forming new alliance relationships to generate cooperative programs and projects to increase ocean conservation. She works with SEA's Executive Director, Board of Directors, partners and staff to ensure that results and outcomes are in accordance with the organization's mission and goals....
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Caro Dratva : Development Team
Caro Dratva
Development Team
Caro Dratva's greatest love is the ocean. She developed a deep connection with the sea through her hobbies of scuba diving, sailing, and surfing. Currently, she holds a leadership position in the Marketing team at an architecture firm in San Francisco. Additionally, she actively contributes to Mission Blue's Development Team.  Caro's dedication extends to various organizations, including The American Red Cross, Reef Check California, The Marine Mammal Center, and GUE (Global Underwater Explorers). She earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University and pursued studies in Psychology at Stanford University. To further indulge her passion for ocean exploration, she enrolled in Marine Biology courses at City College of San Francisco. During her leisure time, Caro enjoys scuba diving, capturing photographs of underwater creatures, and exploring land-based natural wonders around the globe. She also eagerly anticipates engaging in activities like surfing, sailing, paddleboarding, or kayaking when the weather permits in the breathtaking San Francisco and Monterey Bays....
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Courtney Mattison : Special Projects Consultant
Courtney Mattison
Special Projects Consultant
With a Master of Arts in environmental studies from Brown University, Courtney has a deep understanding of marine conservation science and policy—particularly regarding coral reef ecosystems—and believes in finding creative ways to bring ocean issues above the surface to inspire conservation. Courtney joined the Mission Blue family in 2012 and today consults on special projects for the organization....
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Robin Metoxen : Office Manager & Accounting
Robin Metoxen
Office Manager & Accounting
Robin's background has been in Accounting & Finance for the past 20 years as well as human resources. She decided to leave the corporate world of finance and help in any way possible for our oceans around the world, this is her passion as she has seen what effects have taken place in the ocean since she started diving twenty-three years ago....
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Huntley Penniman : Director of Communications
Huntley Penniman
Director of Communications
Huntley directs Mission Blue’s communications program. Prior to onboarding as the Communications Director, Huntley worked on Mission Blue’s social media management. After receiving her M.A.S. in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2015, Huntley has worked in communications for marine science organizations with a focus on social media strategy. She’s an active SCUBA diver, and to date has completed more than 2,500 dives....
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Susan Racanelli : Senior Director of Philanthropy
Susan Racanelli
Senior Director of Philanthropy
Susan Racanelli Susan joined the Mission Blue team in early 2019 and brings her development expertise and enthusiasm for global conservation to the organization. She holds a BA in French Language and Literature from San Jose State University and attended the Leavy School of Business at Santa Clara University. ...
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Shannon Rake : Hope Spots Program Manager
Shannon Rake
Hope Spots Program Manager
Shannon started with Mission Blue in 2018 as Director of Finance and Operations before transitioning into the role of Hope Spots Program Manager full-time. She oversees the Hope Spots Program working with the global network of Hope Spots and Hope Spot Champions as well as the Hope Spots Council. Her journey in environmental conservation began as a child having a deep-rooted love for nature. Growing up in California she was able to spend time in nature both land and sea. She traveled regularly to the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii throughout her teenage years where she grew even fonder of the ocean. Her love and passion for nature and its animals led her to a degree in Environmental Studies and Planning with an emphasis on Water Quality Technology and Hazardous Materials Management.…...
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Avrah Sellar : Communications Manager
Avrah Sellar
Communications Manager
As Communications Manager, Avrah spearheads digital campaigns to support Hope Spot launches, special projects, events and more. Avrah earned a degree in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she spent much of her time exploring and photographing the tide pools and rolling dunes of the Central Coast. ...
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