Meet the Team!
Our conservation efforts around the world are supported by a dedicated, brilliant team.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
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Heather Starck
Executive Director
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Kristin Sherwood
Director, Strategic Impact
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Dr. Helen Fox
Director, Conservation Science
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Jenny Myton
Global Lead, Protected Areas and Clean Water Solutions
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Mandy Norman
Director, Development and Marketing
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Kristy Ives
Director, Finance and Operations
WESTERN CARIBBEAN
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Tanya Amaya
Regional Director, Conservation Programs (Western Caribbean)
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Pamela Ortega
Manager, Clean Water (Western Caribbean)
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Javier Pizaña-Alonso
Program Manager, Mexico
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Julio San Martin Chicas
Program Manager, North Coast (Honduras)
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Elsy Zamora
Coordinator, Clean Water
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Mayra Nuñez
Research Assistant (Western Caribbean)
HAWAIʻI
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Makayla Rickard
Program Manager, Maui Nui
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Mihana Ho
Field Tech, Maui Nui
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Kehau Kimokeo
Community Engagement Coordinator (Maui Nui)
CONSERVATION SCIENCE
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Dr. Antonella Rivera
Senior Manager, Conservation Science
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Dr. Andrea Rivera-Sosa
Manager, Science to Policy and Practice
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Sarah Severino
Manager, Science (Maui Nui)
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Ben Charo
Program Coordinator, Conservation Science
DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING
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Kate Beebe
Associate Director, Brand and Communications
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Logan Gerber
Associate Director, Corporate Giving
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Halae Fuller
Senior Manager, Grants
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Maria McDonough
Manager, Philanthropy
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Kathryn Kelly
Manager, Growth Marketing
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Heather Rowan
Coordinator, Development and Marketing Operations
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
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Zach Hoffman
Associate Director, Program Operations
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Sheyla Maldonado
Manager, People and Culture
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Anne Meier
Accountant, Monthly Close and Audit
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Jaime Robinson
Coordinator, Accounting Operations and Support
INSIDE CORAL
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Meet Kaush Subramaniam, Wildlife Biologist, Photographer, and Filmmaker
Join us in welcoming Kaush, our newest CORAL Ambassador! From documenting whales and sharks to sharing stories from some of the world’s most remarkable marine ecosystems, Kaush has built a career at the intersection of science, conservation, and storytelling. As a wildlife biologist, photographer, and filmmaker, he uses powerful imagery to help people connect with…
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CORAL’s Expansion into the Eastern Caribbean
By Zach Hoffman When I joined the Coral Reef Alliance, I knew our work spanned some of the most important coral reef ecosystems in the world. But knowing that on paper is very different from standing on the shore of one of those places for the first time. My first visit to CORAL’s Eastern Caribbean…
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Coral Bleaching Awareness Month is Moving to September
Coral Bleaching Awareness Month is entering a new chapter. For 3 years, this global campaign has helped people understand one of the most visible signs of stress on coral reefs. Now, Coral Bleaching Awareness Month will take place in September, aligning global attention with the time of year when bleaching impacts and reef monitoring are…
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How Coral Reef Conservation Delivered Measurable Impact in 2025 [REPORT]
For millions of people around the world and countless species beneath the waves, coral reefs are far more than a tourist destination. They are essential lifelines. Reefs support food systems, protect coastlines, and sustain economies, yet today they face immense pressures that threaten their longevity. In this context, the 2025 Impact Report from the Coral…
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Meet Antonella, a Biologist and Diver Shaping the Future of Coral Reefs
Science is at the heart of everything CORAL does, but it only matters if it leads to action. As CORAL continues to strengthen connected reef networks around the world, the role of conservation science has never been more important. That’s where Dr. Antonella-Rivera comes in. At CORAL, she brings clarity, curiosity, and a deeply human…
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Why Divers Matter More Than Ever for the Future of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are changing fast, and the people who spend the most time underwater are often the first to notice. Around the world, divers, snorkelers, and freedivers are witnessing shifts in reef health in real time. Warmer waters. Fewer fish. Algae creeping where corals once thrived. These observations aren’t just anecdotal… They’re invaluable. And they…
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Biodiversity, the Secret Superpower of Coral Reefs
What is biodiversity? Imagine a city underwater—a riot of color, a maze of hidden corners, and a bustling community where everyone has a job to do. That’s a coral reef! Coral reefs are some of the most complex, fascinating, and life-supporting ecosystems on Earth. Scientists call this biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life in…
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2025 Greatest Hits of the CORAL Blog
This year was a big one for coral reefs and the Coral Reef Alliance! As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at the stories that resonated most. The ones that traveled farthest, sparked curiosity, and helped connect more people to the future of coral reefs. Over 120,000(!!) of you read our stories…
