Experts

Octavio Aburto-Oropeza works to change fishing practices and unsustainable tourism development in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Aburto-Oropeza, who has been photographing marine ecosystems along the Mexican coast since 1994, completed his undergraduate studies in Marine Biology at the University of Baja California Sur in 1995 and worked as a professor in that program from 1997 to 2003. The research group he coordinated analyzed the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of human activity in the Gulf of California. One of his projects studied the effects of overfishing of large predators, like sharks. Aburto-Oropeza received his Ph.D. from the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where his work focused on the effects of commercial exploitation of fish and fisheries on reefs in the Gulf of California. Currently he directs a research group of undergraduate and graduate students investigating the importance of mangroves for local fisheries.

Tundi is an internationally renowned expert in marine conservation, with extensive field and policy experience in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, North America, and the Pacific. Tundi specializes in coastal planning and assessment, marine protected areas, fisheries management and ocean zoning, and has published widely in these fields. She founded Sound Seas in 2001 as an independent group working at the nexus of policy and science to promote marine conservation. At Forest Trends, she is heading up the MARES initiative – a program looking to protect Marine Ecosystem Services through Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) markets. Tundi works with international think tanks, foundations, multilaterals, museums and academic institutions, environmental groups, and consortia with interest in solving local and regional coastal and marine conservation problems. She completed her undergraduate work at Wellesley and Dartmouth Colleges and then received her Ph.D. in biological sciences and Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and was postdoctoral fellow at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She has served as Senior Scientist for the World Wildlife Fund and began Conservation International’s Global Marine Program, which she oversaw as Senior Director. She also led the coastal portion of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment – a 3-year global analysis released in 2005 that represents the consensus of over a thousand scientists on the state of the world’s ecosystems. 

Elito was born in San Pedro, Belize and has spent his entire life protecting and caring for the barrier reef. In 1995, he started SEAduced by Belize – a tour company based in San Pedro. Since its founding 6 years ago, Elito has faithfully organized the Lagoon Reef Eco-challenge – a two day Kayak Race to raise awareness towards wetland and reef protection. He is the President of the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA), which contributes to the protection of local businesses rights, promotes tourism and lobbies the Government of Belize on issues affecting the business community. Elito is also a member of the Belize Tourist Board. Finally, he is the President of the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development, an organization that works diligently to protect the caye’s fragile ecosystems and support and promote sustainable development on the island. 

Paquita is a seasoned facilitator with over 25 years experience working with conservation organizations throughout the Americas. Founding her own company, Aligning Visions LLC, in 2005, she provides strategic planning, capacity building, learning, partnering, conservation action planning, board development, and participatory evaluation services to mission-driven organizations.  Her goal is to engage team members and partner groups to define their strategic directions and knowledge sharing strategies for protecting the natural areas and ecological processes that shape the quality of our lives! Having learned English, Spanish, and Portuguese in her youth, Paquita has spent many years traveling and working around the globe, primarily in Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

She has a B.S. from Georgetown University and a M.S. from California Polytechnic in Agriculture. Her strong science background was further strengthened through 11 years of work with The Nature Conservancy and the profusion of new insights into ecological interconnectedness over the past 2 decades. She is passionate about building nonprofit capacity as she understands the need for civil society to promote long-term conservation and sustainability.  As such, she has designed leadership and training programs, written many capacity-building guides, and coached many nonprofit organizations.  Paquita lives with her family in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and travels as needed for clients. www.aligningvisions.com 

Luis Bourillón is a founding member and the Program Director of the Mesoamerican Reef Program at COBI (Community and Biodiversity www.cobi.org.mx), a civil society NGO formed in 1999 whose mission is promoting the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity through community participation. Luis’ area of scientific work focuses on the development of practical research in ecological and social themes related to marine conservation and coastal communities. His main interest lies in understanding the influence of property rights systems on the management and conservation of natural marine resources. Moreover, Luis works to build institutional arrangements that are needed to establish co-management mechanisms for natural resources and for the conservation of marine-coastal biodiversity. He has 27 years of experience working in marine biodiversity conservation in Mexico. His work includes the following: studies in the Northeast of Mexico about abundance, diversity and ecology of marine mammals; island ecology related to the evaluation and mitigation of the impacts human activity; evaluation of the fishing resources of coastal peoples; preservation of the ecological knowledge of indigenous people and fishermen; the design and establishment of protected reserves as a fishery management tool; application of protection and management schemes for terrestrial and marine protected areas; the application of market-based economic incentives (eco-certification) for marine conservation; sustainable ecosystem management and design of protected area networks; and determining priority regions for conservation. 

Costas Christ is the Editor-at-Large for National Geographic Traveler and serves as the Chairman for the World Travel and Tourism Council – Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognizes leading models in sustainable tourism that are helping to protect natural and cultural heritage. He is an internationally recognized expert on sustainable tourism who has traveled and worked in more than 100 countries on six continents. He was a founding member and served as Chairman of the Board of The International Ecotourism Society. As a Senior Director at Conservation International, Costas supervised sustainable tourism projects in more than a dozen countries focused on the protection of nature and support for community development. He is a special advisor to World Responsible Tourism Day, is on the Advisory Board of The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation, and on the Executive Board of Sustainable Travel International.

Costas is also the sustainable travel columnist for Virtuoso Life magazine and serves as Ambassador-at-Large for the Spirit of Big Five Foundation. He is the lead author of Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism’s Global Footprint and a contributing author in Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places. His articles and essays on travel and tourism have appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and Sunday Times of London. He has appeared many times on television and radio, including BBC World, Travel Channel, NBC Today Show, National Public Radio, Good Morning America, and CNN International, to advocate for a new vision of tourism that embraces care for our planet, respects cultural diversity and directly supports local people’s livelihoods. In 2008, Costas was honored as a ‘Tourism Visionary’ by the International Hotel and Restaurant Awards. 

Fay is a sparkplug, equally comfortable talking to a fisherman, a secretary of state, or in front of a TV camera. She’s the one responsible for you having heard about WiLDCOAST. Fay is the resident media guru of WiLDCOAST in charge of media campaigns and spokespeople as well as organizational outreach. Fay is a former NPR and El Financiero reporter. She is considered to be one of Mexico’s top environmental communications professionals. Before working in WiLDCOAST, she served as Communications Director for publicly traded PriceSmart, Inc. where she was responsible for corporate and member communications for the company’s operations in Central America, the Caribbean, as well as the Philippines. Fay holds degrees in economics and political science from universities in Mexico, Israel, and Canada. She wrote her dissertation at UCSD Center for US-Mexico Studies. Fay is a native of Mexico. 

Robert Cudney has been a conservationist since he was a child. He has participated and directed diverse environmental organizations. He recently created Mexico Silvestre, an organization dedicated to the conservation of Mexico’s wilderness.

For 10 years, Robert worked at the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas in Mexico as Director of 2 Natural Protected Areas and Director of the Ecotourism Program for Natural Protected Areas.  He was the representative of Mexico for the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and President of its Secretariat. During his participation in ICRI the “Coral Reef Year” was launched. Robert is an experienced ecotourism guide in wilderness areas in Mexico and other countries. He is certified as rafting instructor, mountain instructor and rescuer. Currently he works as a conservation photographer. 

Exequiel Ezcurra has a doctorate in ecology from the University of Wales. In 1979, as a young researcher, he developed the first systematic study of environmental impacts in Mexico. He has published over 200 research articles, books and essays. He was a screenwriter and narrator for the movie Marine Oasis, a scientific document about the Gulf of California that has won a number of prestigious international prizes. Among other distinctions, he was a recipient of a Conservation Biology Award and a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation; recieved UAM’s scientific research award; was president of the Scientific Committee of the Convention on Trade of Threatened Species (CITES); and editor of the magazine Journal of Vegetation Science. He was president of the National Institute of Ecology from 2001 to 2005 and Dean of the National History Museum of San Diego between 2005 and 2008. Currently he is a Professor of Ecology and Director of the Institute for Mexico and the United States at the University of California, Riverside. 

Jimena Ferráez is founder and firm associate in CONNESTRA, a company dedicated to developing small and medium sized companies. She has worked as a business consultant for the past 4 years, helping over 20 companies to evolve by designing and executing 2 competitive enhancement programs for the metal-mechanic sector, as well as advising 80 entrepreneurs and businessmen in strategic planning and how to build a business plan. Jimena specializes in strategy design and implementation, and productive program design. She majored in international business at ITESM Mexico and is an accredited consultant in Japanese methodologies; a distinction bestowed by the Mexican Federal Economy Office. Jimena represents an international consultancy firm (Break-Even-Point) with offices in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Chile and China.

Hugo Galeano has been the National Coordinator for the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Honduras for over ten years. During this time, SGP Honduras has supported an extensive number of projects directly led by indigenous peoples, in particular in the Moskitia region along the Caribbean coast, strengthening the capacity of indigenous peoples to respond and adapt to climate change.

Norissa brings over 16 years of communications planning, online communications, and public relations expertise and almost a decade of success in helping top-performing nonprofits, foundations, and corporations manage their marketing, communications and advocacy efforts. Recently, Norissa has worked with Coca-Cola to develop an international communications plan to engage their bottlers in reducing emissions; managed global strategic and communications planning for the United States Pharmacopeia’s expansion into 4 additional international markets; led coalition planning for the World Wildlife Fund’s sustainable fisheries work; and led national and local campaigns to drive voters to the polls for flu vaccinations, to raise public awareness about invasive species, to promote sustainable seafood, etc. Norissa’s work has taken her from the Amazon Rainforest to the board rooms of big-brand companies like Procter & Gamble, Fannie Mae, and Deutsche Bank and mission-driven marketers like The World Health Organization, AARP, The United States Pharmacopeia, America’s Voice, World Wildlife Fund, and World Resources Institute.  In recent media work, her hot button media campaigns include the initiation and management of media relations around the “Dubaiport story,” current work in immigration reform, as well as managing media and online campaigns on climate change and health care.  She advises on communications for two litigation firms. Norissa has taught entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University business school, has written several business cases used for teaching bottom-of-the-pyramid and advocacy strategies, and was chief editor of The Just Enough Planning Guide, a guide for nonprofit advocacy. 

Eugenio has worked with communities, cooperatives and rural associations in the western plateau of Guatemala for the last 15 years producing community and sustainable development projects. His work has resulted in proposals from the Social Investment Fund and the National Committee of the Environment before the Government of Vinicio Cerezo and the Congress of the Republic. Currently, he is in charge of the management and sustainable operation of the Hacienda Tijax project, which integrates conservation, reforestation and ecotourism activities in Río Dulce, Izabal into a comprehensive business scheme. This project, carried out over the last 20 years with the support of friends, acquaintances and the surrounding community, has resulted in the creation of a model of sustainable development for the region. Additionally, Eugenio is president and founder of the Eco-Río Association – an organization established in Livingston and integrated by neighbors and local businesses that seeks to develop sustainable tourism businesses in the Izabal region. 

Martin is one of the pioneers of the sustainability movement. His desire to find solutions that worked for communities, businesses and the environment during the “timber wars” led him to create Sustainable Northwest in 1994. Born and raised in Mexico, Martin’s conservation career includes work with The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Mexico Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN), which he helped found. Martin is a member of the Oregon Sustainability Board and currently serves as a trustee of the Compton Foundation. He frequently speaks and publishes on the subjects of conservation and sustainable development in the Pacific Northwest and Latin America. An avid fly fisherman, Martin loves to explore the rivers of Oregon any chance he gets. 

Ricardo Gómez is the Director of Cozumel Reefs National Park. After becoming interested in biology in high school, he continued studying the subject as an undergraduate and while completing his Masters in Sciences with a specialization in marine mammals in Mexico City. Gómez Lozano completed the certificate course “Conservation Strategies and Techniques,” offered through a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, at Tecnológico de Monterrey in 2007.

He has been dedicated to ecosystem conservation through public service for over ten years, from his start at Desierto de los Leones National Park to his current position as park director of Cozumel Reefs National Park. Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is dedicated to the conservation of reefs and the incredible natural attraction of the area as well as the regulation of activities for the purpose of preventing reef degradation. 

Dr. Rachel Graham is a conservation biologist with over 20 years of experience in environment and development in Latin America and Africa. Rachel has dedicated the past 15 years to the research and conservation of apex marine predators including reef-associated sharks and a species-specific focus on whale sharks, manta rays, and goliath grouper. Recent projects focus on the biology and spatial ecology of threatened species of fish and the integration of results with identification of anthropogenic threats into management strategies – that include MPA networks and trans-frontier conservation of migratory marine species. Rachel believes in an inclusive, grassroots approach to science, outreach, and resource management and shares her time working on the research and conservation of sharks at local, national, and international levels in several countries that most recently include Belize, Cuba, Madagascar, Honduras, Mexico, and Pohnpei, Micronesia. In 2011, Rachel won the Whitley Fund for Nature Gold Award for her work with sharks and communities.

Will built a broad interest in science and sustainable management of tropical coastal and marine systems from the time he was a child, snorkeling before he could walk. He graduated from Tufts University with a major in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies in 1983; then he spent three years working in marine aquaculture in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Marshall Islands. Will did his MS and Ph.D. with the University of South Carolina, conducting field research in both the Marshall Islands and Belize, finishing in1996. In 7 years of graduate work, he spent only 5 semesters in residence, gaining him the dubious honor of the student with the most degrees, and least amount of time on campus at USC. Meanwhile, he began working for the International Division of the Nature Conservancy in Belize, where he lived for ten years. Will’s escape from academia was fleeting, however, as he is now an Associate Professor of Geography at Texas A&M University.  He teaches undergraduate courses in Environment and Natural Resources and field courses in Dominica; administers internship programs; and mentors graduate students in conducting applied, interdisciplinary marine projects for MS and PhD degrees. Will continues to conduct field research in the Mesoamerican Reef and serves as Board Member of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute and the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.  He is continuously supportive of working with local actors to co-produce information that is relevant to and supportive of effective marine and coastal management that benefits both natural resources and users in the long term. 

Roberto is a full time researcher and the Academic Chief of the Coral Reef Academic Unit at the Institute of Oceanic Sciences and Limnology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). For the past 28 years, Roberto has concentrated on the physiology of reef-building corals, in particular the photobiology in the symbiosis between dinoflagellates (microscopic algae) and corals, as well as the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reefs. Roberto has a BS in Biology and a Master’s in Biological Oceanography from the UNAM as well as a doctorate in Marine Biology and Population Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara in the United States, where he worked as a postdoctoral researcher. Between 1995 and 1996, Roberto worked as a researcher at the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education at Baja California and since ’96 has lived and worked in Puerto Morelos, in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo. Although his scientific activities focus on the understanding of basic coral reef biology—utilizing genetic techniques, biochemistry and biophysics—Roberto is a passionate spokesman for the conservation of biological heritage and cultures with close bonds to coral reefs. When he’s not working in the lab, Roberto can be found listening to music and windsurfing. 

Steve’s professional career is an amalgam of professional ventures that is enriched by various pro bono activities, which illustrate his entrepreneurial spirit. Steve worked with Cummins from 1981 – 2004 – a company that is best known for their international production of diesel engines and components. While at Cummins, Steve negotiated regulation of bus and truck diesel emissions, was actively involved in the forefront of NAFTA discussions, and was a Member of the Chairman’s Diversity Council from 1998 – 2004. Steve’s most recent foray into vehicle–related fields includes work as an executive coach and consultant for Vehizero – a company that looks to design and produce electric vehicles in Mexico. Highlights of Steve’s professional career include two years in Venezuela as a Peace Corps Volunteer; a director’s position working with USAID in Costa Rica; and international experience with the International Basic Economy Corporation as manager of its Housing Division. Steve is an active board member of many NGOs, the likes of which include: FMCN, LightHawk, the Center for Sustainable Transport (Mexico), the Mexican Center for Philanthropy, and Leadership for Environment and Development (U.K.), among others. He was the founder and president of Dynamic Assistance to Micro-Entrepreneurs and the Cummins (Mexico) Philanthropic Association. Steve received his bachelor’s in English and an MBA from Stanford University and lives in Mexico with his wife and two sons. 

Isaias has worked for the Belize Fisheries Department since 1996. He has held several roles –beginning his career as a biologist for the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and then moving on to a managerial position thereafter. In 2003, he took over the Marine Protected Areas Coordinator portfolio, which includes management of the Belize Marine Reserves Network. Isaias’ technical experience in coral reef monitoring has played an integral part in the elaboration of several monitoring protocols for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project, as well as for monitoring mechanisms for spawning aggregations, sea turtles and other commercial species. He is the current chairman of several national working groups including the Coral Reef Monitoring Network, Sea Turtle Conservation Network, and the Glover’s Reef Advisory Committee. He is also a point person in Belize for the Inter-American Convention on the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and a liaison officer to the National Protected Areas Secretariat. He has co-authored several papers on spawning aggregations, coral monitoring and sea turtles. 

Abner Marin is an active member of the Ambergris Caye Cistizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) civil organization. He currently owns, along with his wife Marisela, GoFish Belize, which is the premier locally owned and operated fly-fishing and light-tackle guide service on the caye. Abner grew up on the island’s beaches and developed his craft under the guidance of his father, renowned fly fishing guide, Carlos Marin.

Guillermina Martinez has her academic formation in finance and accounting. Throughout her career, she has evolved in financial management positions in the private and public sectors. She also had the experience of running a business of her own when she helped start up of franchise. In the advisory arena, she is a Small Business Consultant accredited by the Mexican Federal Economy Office and has produced financial analysis for Business Plans in a wide variety of organizations. Guillermina has designed and executed financial seminars for entrepreneurs and businessmen, essentially guide participants on how to complete the financial section of their Business Plans, an indispensable part of these documents for obtaining funds before finance institutions, governments, and potential associates. Additionally she collaborates with a business incubator and knows how to accelerate entrepreneurial companies, extending the probability that a start-up company will stay in business for the long-term. Her contribution focuses on strategic business focus, which has to be economically viable and have a beneficial social impact.

Grazzia has a BS in Biology from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. She has always been passionate about the ocean and natural resource conservation. In 2006 she moved from her home town of Tegucigalpa to the Gulf of Fonseca in the Honduran Pacific, where she was a technical assistant to the Committee on the Defense and Development of the Flora and Fauna of the Gulf of Fonseca. A year later she moved to Roatán to work with local communities and coordinate RMP’s environmental education program. She also served as the co-manager of the Sandy Bay-West End Marine Protected Area. Later on, after receiving a grant from the Center for International Postgraduate Studies on Environmental Management in 2009, she moved to Germany and obtained a diploma in Environmental Management. She is currently working at RMP where she oversees all of the organization’s activities. Her goal is to contribute to the management of protected areas and to the development of Roatán’s natural resources; a place she loves calling home. 

Anne McEnany (project director, lead staff) is the Senior Advisor to the Conservation & Environment Program at the International Community Foundation. Anne has worked as an ICF consultant and staff member for nine years, on a grant portfolio that sends over $2.5 million annually to local conservation organizations in Mexico and Latin America for environmental and community development projects.

Anne has over 19 years of international conservation experience, working with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Tropical Andes. For the International Community Foundation, Anne led a cross-border initiative to control erosion and manage stormwater in Los Laureles Canyon in Tijuana and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve in Imperial Beach; facilitated two “Alternative Futures” publications for La Paz and Loreto, including followup studies on desalination.  She currently manages the Laguna San Ignacio Whale Conservation Campaign, provides advice and research to over 30 donor-advised funds, and is leading the “Emerging Sustainable Cities” initiative in La Paz, Mexico (a project of Fundacion FEMSA, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and ICF).

Melanie McField is the Smithsonian Institution’s coordinator for the Healthy Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem Initiative (a.k.a. Healthy Reefs for Healthy People), a multi-institutional effort to track the health of the reef ecosystem, the human choices that shape it, and our progress in ensuring its long-term integrity. Prior to this position she worked for five years as the Senior Program Officer in Belize for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she worked on design and management of marine protected areas, coral reef research, alternative income generation strategies for fishers, better management in shrimp farming, and monitoring of pesticides in reef organisms. Melanie remains affiliated with WWF’s Mesoamerican Reef Program as a Senior Fellow.

Melanie has lived and worked in Belize since 1990. In 2003, she was awarded the National Coastal Award for Marine and Coastal Research from the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, in recognition of her research and conservations achievements. In September 2006, she was elected to serve on the Council of the International Society of Reef Studies. 

Thomas Meller has over 17 years of experience in managing environmental projects working for the German technical assistance program, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), private sector consulting firms, industry associations and international NGOs.

Since October 2006, Thomas works at the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), first as Director of the  Hotel Component, and since august 2011 as Chief Executive Officer of MARTI. 

Loren was born and raised on the island of Roatan.  His mother, Mary Monterroso, founded Island Properties – the first real estate agency on the island. Loren’s father, Tino Monterroso is a well-known leader in the diving community and was one of the founders of  the marine reserve, which extends from Sandy Bay to Key Hole. He also contributed to naming and making many of the dive attractions on Roatan and the surrounding islands, including the shark dive.  Loren completed his high school education at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia and attended Christopher Newport University in Newport News,Virginia for one year before returning to Roatan.  Upon his return to the islands, Loren started Early Bird Fishing Charters, which he has been running for the past 10 years.  In 2009, he founded the Fishermens’ Association of Roatan and is the current President. Loren has been involved with the Roatan Marine Reserve since 2007.  In 2010, he, along with a commitee of local fishermen, arranged the first catch and release Billfish Tournament which was a complete success.  Currently, Loren is in the process of starting a new snorkel attraction, Monterroso’s Bay Islands Underwater Museum. 

Carlos Morales obtained his B.S. in Biology with a concentration in biochemistry from the National University of San Carlos. During the eighties, he participated in development and research projects in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. This area has volcanic origins, boasts incomparable scenery and was especially affected by the civil war. During his time in the region, Carlos came to know and value the idiosyncrasies of indigenous villages, along with their virtues and vices.

Carlos entered graduate school where he completed specialized studies in Businesses Administration and Finances at the Francisco Marroquín University of Guatemala. Later, he continued his academic formation at the University of Costa Rica and the Tropical Agronomic Center of Research and Education (CATIE), where he completed his Masters in Vegetable Physiology and Holistic Farming Management. Upon returning to Guatemala he joined a private business and spent a large part of his professional experience in the food business. Before his position as Program Manager at WWF, he acted as an officer of the organization’s Fresh Water Program. He resides with his wife and three children in Antigua, Guatemala – one of the colonial jewels and most romantic cities of America. 

Imani Morrison is presently the Oak Foundation’s Mesoamerica Program Officer. In this position, which she has held for six years, she facilitates grant making for marine protected areas management, capacity building, research and monitoring, and policy and advocacy initiatives, among other activities in the Mesoamerica region. Prior to her position with the Oak Foundation, Imani was the CEO of the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute which undertakes the country’s coral reef, water quality, coastal planning, environmental education, endangered species monitoring programs, and marine protected areas management activities. Imani holds an MSc with distinction in Regional Planning and Development from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and has served on many national advisory bodies including the Belize Advisory Committee on the Guatemala Claim and the Protected Areas Trust Advisory Board. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Belize.  She is the proud mother of two boys, Bryce and Ahkeil, and is married to Ian Morrison. 

Dr. Wallace “J.” Nichols is a scientist, activist, community organizer, author and dad. He works to inspire a deeper connection with nature, sometimes simply by walking and talking, other times through writing or images. Science and knowledge can also stoke our fires. But he knows that what really moves people is feeling part of and touching something bigger than ourselves. J. is a Research Associate at California Academy of Sciences and founder/co-director of OceanRevolution.org, SeeTheWild.org, and LiVBLUE.org, a global campaign to reconnect us to our water planet. He has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific papers and reports and his work has been broadcasted on a wide range of media. Nichols earned his MEM in Environmental Policy and Economics from Duke University’s Nicholas School and his PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of Arizona. He advises a motivated group of international graduate students and serves as an advisor to numerous non-profit boards and committees as part of his commitment to building a stronger, more progressive and connected environmental community. Lately he is working on BLUEMiND: The Mind + Ocean Initiative, merging the fields of cognitive science and ocean exploration.

Omar is a native of Mexico City and comes from a family of photographers. He studied biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, focusing his studies on marine and aquatic ecosystems. He has been working to conserve biodiversity in Mexico for over 13 years and has participated in projects related to the protection of turtle nesting areas, characterization and monitoring of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and writing of management proposals for lobster fisheries. His work has focused on developing and strengthening the abilities of residents that benefit from the biodiversity living in protected areas and promoting the creation of management strategies based on scientific knowledge and the active participation of stakeholders. Currently, he is the Assistant Manager of the Sian Ka’an Complex, which is made up of three protected areas that boast ecosystems ranging from seasonal evergreen forests to coral reefs. He has also participated in the creation of various documents that support the management and conservation of biodiversity. His hobbies include nature photography, cycling and diving. Omar collaborates in various local and national forums that seek to encourage the protection of Mexico’s natural heritage. 

Eduardo Rolón is the Director of Public Policies at Community and Biodiversity (COBI) where he directs all work related to the organization’s analysis, design and evaluation of public policy together with strategies for influencing public policies in the Executive and Legislative branches of the Mexican government. Eduardo has his doctorate in Environmental Studies and Development from East Anglia University in England. He has carried out research on the design, analysis and evaluation of the political and institutional feasibility of public policies and on themes related to impacting social society with policies, governance mechanisms and citizen participation as well as the use of economic incentives for environmental conservation in themes such as waste management, forests, biodiversity and marine & coastal ecosystems at both a national and international level. With close to 12 years of experience in environmental public policy, he has worked in academia, the federal government and NGOs. His current work includes the design of public policy changes that promote a better management of coastal & marine areas based on reforms of usage and extraction rights, the instrumentation of payment schemes for environmental services and the analysis and elaboration of proposals to improve observance of regulations in coastal & marine areas in Mexico. 

Amy is science-policy interface specialist with the Natural Capital Project (NatCap), a joint collaboration among Stanford University, the University of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund to develop tools and approaches that incorporate ecosystem services into decisions. Prior to her work with NatCap, Amy was deputy director for projects at the Amazon Conservation Association, where she developed strategies for forest carbon and ecosystem service programs in the western Amazon. She contributed to the book The Last Forest: the Amazon in the Age of Globalization among other publications, ran a natural resource management training program with the Federal University of Acre in Brazil, and represented authors as a literary agent. Amy holds a Master’s from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. She is also a researcher in the conservation science program at the World Wildlife Fund and a board member of the Amazon Conservation Association.

Eda is an actress and consultant who specializes in bringing theatre based skills to business communications. She has taught presentation and communication skills and has worked extensively in the area of leadership, helping executives to develop clear messages and powerfully and effectively engage others. Eda has been on the faculty of Boston University’s School of Management Leadership Institute since it began in 1989. She also teaches in the Executive MBA program and for seven years taught in the Executive MBA program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Management. She is a national faculty member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Leadership program. She also teaches in the California Health Care Foundation Leadership program and has worked with the Rennaissance CEO Leadershp Forum at Gozaga University and the Women’s Leadership Forum at the University of Alabama. She has taught voice, speech, and acting at New York University Graduate Acting Program, Boston University, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Eda has worked as a professional dialect coach in theater and film and has coached Danny Aiello, Jeff and Lloyd Bridges, Richard Dreyfuss, and Holly Hunter. She received her BA from Connecticut College and an MFA from New York University’s Graduate Acting program. 

Paul Sánchez-Navarro is Director of Centro Ecológico Akumal. He has a Master’s degree in International relations and was Policy Advisor for World Wildlife (WWF) Fund International and both the WWF México Office and Pronatura. Paul has worked on development and environmental issues at the local, national and international levels for seventeen years. He has also designed policy strategies for non-governmental organizations, and participated in national efforts to improve Mexico’s environmental policy framework. He completed seven years as Director of Centro Ecológico Akumal this year. Focusing on marine and coastal protection, he is now working to create a model of sustainable tourism development in Akumal, one of Quintana Roo’s prime tourism destinations. Half Mexican and half United States American, Sánchez-Navarro’s life reflects the blend of both cultures as he works to better understand and contribute to the relationships between democracy, economic growth and environmental stewardship. 

Gonzalo was a leader of religious communities oriented toward service and the common good; he is eternally seeking opportunities in situations of permanent change, and he promotes growth and development of work teams, facilitates people’s growth and development, and is a shaper and trainer of community leaders. Furthermore, he promotes leadership in projects involving actors with different backgrounds and goals. He specializes in creating teams, strategic vision, results orientation, negotiation/mediation, creativity, client orientation, good teamwork, and good interpersonal relations. He is a consultant at Eolic People, working as a coach and consultant in personal development. He likes to work with business groups and high-level athletes, and in the fields of personal follow-up in times of change, vital processes, team-building, creativity and innovation, leadership, communication and conflict resolution, public speaking, and personal development. He is also a certified PDA Report coach with PDA International.

Brigitte is founder and director of Merkatua. She has a Master’s degree on Marketing and International Business by the Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico, and the Ecole Supérieure des Affaires in France. She was for several years Cheif and Retail Manager in the automotive sector which makes her an expert on Industrial Marketing and a passionate in the Consumer Analysis and Creative Marketing business. She is well versed in lateral thinking methods, and is a Certified LEGO SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator. Brigitte is an innovation and creativity consultant and trainer with 10 years of experience helping clients around the globe. She is well versed in lateral thinking methods, and is a Certified LEGO SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator. She has worked with business, government and educational clients around the world including Siemens in Mexico and ITC in the Middle East. As a Senior Consultant and Trainer for Innovation 360, Brigitte inspires clients to new levels of creativity and insight, helping them generate innovative ideas, solve problems and improve teamwork. Brigitte is a Multilingual Purchasing Manager with 10 year experience on automotive and electrical industry in America and Europe, exposed to diverse environments from world class manufacturing to Low Cost Countries, working and dealing with people from diverse cultures and nationalities. Professional highly motivated with strong background in Purchasing related to Productivity and Cost Reduction Projects, Supplier Development and Industrial Marketing. Director of MERKATUA specialized in marketing research, marketing plans, advertising campaigns, marketing consulting and training. Business consultant and International Instructor and Speaker. Trained Lego Serious Play Methodology Facilitator.

Carlos is a psychologist and has completed studies in Ontological Coaching and Systematic Psychology. He undertook the Directive Development Program at the IAE Business School. In the last couple of years, he has concentrated on giving organizational and behavioral consultancies. He is certified in diagnostic tools for behavioral profiles such as Activity Vector Analysis and Personal Development Analysis (PDA). Currently, Carlos works as an Associate Consultant for PDA International and previously worked as Executive Director of Managerial Formation at the IAE Business School, the most reputable business school in Argentina. He carries out consultancy work in management and personal development in various businesses in Argentina and Latin America. He has performed distinct training activities and employee formation in businesses such as: Santader Río, First Data, Sodexho Chile, Khuenne Naguel, Refinor, Skanska, Pepsico, Nestle, Avon, Dupont, Brinks, Belcorp, Accenture, Telecom, Acindar and others. Carlos also practices in a clinical capacity, working with adolescents and adults; moreover, he collaborates with various foundations, concentrating on topics related to mental health and stress. 

Joaquín has his BA in Communication from the Iberoamerican University and a diploma in Crisis Communication from the Autonomous Institute of Technology of Mexico. He has more than 10 years of experience in communication, working in areas such as environmental protection, animal welfare, and biodiversity conservation. Currently, he is Companion Animals Project Coordinator at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, where he is helping local partners establish standards and work protocols focused on guaranteeing and improving the welfare of companion animals in Cozumel and the Riviera Maya. He is also a communication consultant for the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative. He is a 2011 MAR Leader and works with fellow leaders as a communication expert.

Gregg Verutes develops the Marine InVEST tools, a set of models created by the Natural Capital Project for quantifying the services provided by coastal and marine ecosystems. His work focuses on automating GIS processes for conservation modeling and coastal planning, along with enhancing the usability of these spatial decision support tools. He has previously worked for the Maps division at National Geographic assisting with their Atlas of the World, 4 Ninth Edition and as a GIS instructor for National Geographic Magazine.  Since December 2009, he has been providing GIS support to the World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Science Program. Gregg received his M.S. in Geographic Information Science from the Department of Geography at San Diego State University and his B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University. Contact Gregg at [email protected].

Amy Hudson specializes in the management of marine fisheries and securing stakeholder participation. Currently, she works as the Marine Conservation Program Coordinator for the Niparajá Natural History Society in La Paz,Mexico. Some of the topics that interest her include: community development, access rights to natural resources, generating participatory stakeholder information and the creation of capacities for the management of coastal fisheries. A number of her current projects focus on the management of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park and management of the fisheries of the San Cosme – Punta Coyote biological corridor. Other projects she coordinates include: Fisher to Fisher, Fisher Pride and Fisher Trainers in the southern Gulf. She received her master’s in Marine Affairs at the University of Washington and studied her bachelors at Prescott College. Before joining Niparajá in 2004, she worked for COBI for six years in Kino Bay, Sonora. She has lived in Mexico for more than 15 years and has ample field experience in the Gulf of California. 

Calina studied biology at the National Autonomous University of Honduras.  She has 12 years of experience working in marine and coastal matters. She is the Marine Specialist of The Nature Conservancy’s Mesoamerican Reef Program. She has held this position for four years, offering technical assistance in management of marine protected areas, fisheries, conservation planning, strengthening capacities of local partners, sustainable economic alternatives for coastal communities, public policy, and climate change. Before working at TNC, Calina was the Director of the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA), Utila Chapter, a non-governmental organization that co-manages the protected areas of Honduras’s Bay Islands. In her position at BICA she coordinated marine and coastal ecosystem monitoring, protection and surveillance activities, management of marine protected areas, management of funds, sustainable tourism, and environmental education activities. She lives with her family on the Caribbean Coast of Honduras, and she is the lucky mother of Andrea Isabella, 8 years old.