Peter Nicholson started his financial services business in 1987 at the age of 22. Since 1995, Peter has been a recognized leader in Canadian tax assisted investments, with a specialized focus on philanthropic tax planning and tax reduction. Through his work with countless donors, foundations, institutions, and boards, he has helped generate in excess of $300 million for client donations. Nicholson is also a generous philanthropist in his own right and a tireless supporter of community initiatives. Over the years, Nicholson has served as a dedicated champion and board member for many foundations all across Canada, such as Winnipeg’s Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and founder of the Exuma Foundation of Canada. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), Association of Fundraising Professionals of Canada (AFP), the Clinton Global Initiative, and a ten-year veteran of the investment club Tiger 21. Since 1993, he has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (annual qualification is limited to the top 1 % of finance professionals in the world).

In 2004, Nicholson started investing in Exuma, The Bahamas. In 2012, he purchased 31 villas (40%) at Grand Isle Resort & Residences, a former Four-Season Residence, making him the property’s largest shareholder. It continues to be a luxurious resort and second-home community in Exuma. He also has property and hospitality interests on Farmer’s Cay, part of an exclusive 365-island chain in the Exumas.

Beckah Campbell is a marine scientist working to improve the understanding, conservation, and management of elasmobranchs. Originally from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, she grew up next to and fell in love with the ocean and its creatures. Campbell completed her B.S. in Marine Science, minor in Marine Biology, at the University of Southern Mississippi, and she is now currently a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focuses on describing the life history characteristics (reproduction, movement, habitat use) of Caribbean reef sharks in The Bahamas, and how these traits can be used to improve management and conservation. Campbell has been collaborating with Beneath the Waves since May 2021, including serving as lead scientist on expeditions and public outreach. Her research experience includes acoustic and satellite telemetry, physiology, ultrasonography, as well as many other skills. Campbell is passionate about the ocean and sharks and strives to share this with everyone.

With proven success in developing strategic partnerships and collaborating as a lead member of multiple mission-driven firms, Wells’ career has centered around cultivating profitable solutions for organizations in the environmental stewardship sector. Wells’ endeavors have led through financial institutions and have been wide in scope. He has created and launched consumer-based renewable energy solutions, worked in community engagement with environmental stakeholders and storytellers, and built new-to-market ecosystem services and carbon finance impact optimization tools. Wells is currently wrapping up his master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy, developing Blue Carbon methodologies while harvesting sugar kelp along New England’s coastline, and leading conservation efforts in the Caribbean Sea with Beneath the Waves.

Dr. Austin Gallagher is the Chief Executive and lead scientist at Beneath the Waves. A marine conservation biologist and world authority on sharks, he has worked diligently studying and advocating for highly migratory species around the world. Gallagher has published science extensively, including in leading journals including Science, Nature, and Marine Policy. He has led 27 scientific expeditions and has worked at the national and international level to prompt and inform ocean policy. Gallagher’s approach combines research, private sector collaboration, local engagement, and media – to create effective partnerships.

He is a National Geographic Explorer, Fulbright Scholar, and Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University. He is a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club, has spoken about ocean conservation at venues worldwide, sits on the Editorial Board of the journal Endangered Species Research, and serves as an advisor to governments, international organizations, media productions, and companies interested in sustainability.

Mike Hudson is an experienced technical rescue paramedic, Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic, USLA (qualified) ocean rescue lifeguard and wildlife production marine safety specialist. Based in New Jersey, he works as a Paramedic and EMS Instructor and Ocean Rescue Captain throughout the year. Hudson travels as a crucial member of Discovery Channel’s team, as the Paramedic Specialist and Production Dive Safety Consultant for Shark Week, and has specialized experience coordinating large scale dive safety operations while filming large apex predators.

Joe Romeiro is a multi-award-winning veteran wildlife cinematographer/filmmaker and executive director of 333 Productions. He is a member of the Explorers Club and in 2019 the Boston Sea Rovers awarded him the esteemed “Diver of the Year” award. Joe has spent over a decade filming and interacting with sharks all over the world. He has worked with many top celebrities and holds producer and filmmaking credits for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet and many more. His mission is to showcase sharks as beautiful creatures that are critical elements to our oceans ecosystem through personal interaction, education, research and filmmaking. He has worked with many respected scientists in the field to bring to light some of the world’s first knowns about shark behavior and activities that astound audiences worldwide. Joe is the owner of a 45ft research vessel located in Rhode Island, the R/V WARFISH and has co-authored many scientific papers on shark behavior, movement, ecology and biology. He has been focusing on his local New England waters, fighting for the survival of the species that inhabit them; his main focuses are the Mako, Blue, Tiger, Porbeagle and Great White Shark along with many others. His work has fueled awareness and legislation to protect these species regionally and worldwide.

Diego Camejo is an artist and media specialist based in Miami, FL. He works as a filmmaker and photographer and is an ‘aerial-shot wizard’ (According to Elle Magazine). His work has amassed millions of views and been featured on the most reputable news and media outlets such as Discovery Channel, Forbes, CNN, MTV, Maxim, and he has created content for brands such as Sony Xperia, Nike Swim, Nat Geo, Perry Ellis, and Spartan Races. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film & TV production and comes from a family of sailors which sparked in him a passion for the ocean. He is one of Beneath the Waves’ lead media producers and works to showcase its research through his creative storytelling and visual style.

Sami Kattan is the Director of Digital Media at Beneath the Waves. Kattan is a digital media producer and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Nomad Creative, a digital storytelling agency producing content for purpose-driven individuals and organizations. From documenting blue whales to the jungles of Costa Rica to tiger shark research in the Bahamas, he provides impactful media for a global audience. His previous clients include the BBC, National Geographic, Spartan Race, and Virgin Unite, and his media pieces have garnered millions of views across digital channels, being featured in Forbes, Virgin, Lonely Planet, and Yahoo. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida with dual degrees in Anthropology and Psychology. He is involved in all aspects of Beneath the Waves’ digital media strategy, from creating, managing, and deploying projects, to engagement with key partners, donors, and stakeholders. Kattan has also led entire research expeditions throughout the Caribbean.

Jamie Fitzgerald is the Managing Director at Beneath the Waves, where she manages key partnerships, communications and marketing, and execution of brand strategy and growth. A passionate conservationist and ocean lover, she grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has spent her life on or in the water. Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Tulane University, with concentrations in Marine Biology and Political Science. She spent her early career in marine and coastal conservation organizations on Cape Cod and in New Orleans, scuba diving throughout the Caribbean and Central America, and working in production and marketing in NYC before joining Beneath the Waves in 2018. She is a PADI Divemaster and member of The Explorer’s Club.

Lea Breistroff is a marine biologist with a particular interest in threatened species conservation. In addition to growing up in Hong Kong, an epicentre of illegal wildlife trade, Lea cultivated a love and passion for wildlife through her mother, who loves animals and introduced her to scuba diving at the age of 10. With an international upbringing, Lea spoke English and French at home whilst learning Mandarin at school. Leaving Hong Kong at 18, she went on to attain her undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Southampton. After graduating, her passion for the ocean deepened as she volunteered at various conservation programs in Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa as well as becoming certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. After working as an instructor for a few years internationally, she went on to study her Masters in Marine Biology and Ecology at the James Cook University.

Cali Capela is a marine biologist with interests in reproductive biology. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Environmental Science, where she began her studies in animal behavior and fish biology. Her independent research experience includes innovating and testing new, minimally invasive ultrasound technology on Caribbean sharks to assist with marine protected area designation. She has served as a research assistant on numerous Beneath the Waves expeditions since 2019, working to streamline fieldwork logistics, operations, and database management. Cali is an ardent ocean-lover and strives to further expand her research in the Caribbean.

Robert Carmichael is first and foremost, a friend of the ocean. He is the CEO of Global Subdive, leading marine operations and submersible operator, and is also the founder/co-founder of 10 companies and one non-profit, each with a unique focus on the earth’s waters and the diving industry. He is the inventor of various diving, medical and marine instruments – including innovative dive equipment for Halcyon Dive Systems, and an Aortic Abdominal Tourniquet (AAT) used for complicated injuries in the midsection. Armed with decades of experience in a number of capacities both “top side” and underwater, Robert Carmichael pulls from a varied history that includes deep, technical open ocean and cave diving, patents for three diving industry innovations, gas fill systems, and services for private homes and yachts that meet the needs of often highly specialized expeditions.

Enrique Quintero is a marine logistics specialist, operations coordinator, and technician for Beneath the Waves, consulting for and assisting on field-based expeditions. Born and raised in Miami, Enrique is a Yacht Consultant and General Manager of one of the most reputable marinas in Miami, Florida. As a world champion sailor and avid waterman, he maintains a deep network of connections in the ocean, boating, and yachting community, and he has helped launch and facilitate projects for Beneath the Waves for over 5 years in Florida and the Caribbean. He is also a musician and part of the electronic music outfit Velero.

Christine de Silva is a marine scientist focused on predator-prey ecology and science communication. She has spent the majority of her recent years studying how the various shark species of the Northwest Atlantic influence local food webs. She helped launch Beneath the Waves work in the Atlantic Ocean, and served as the Manager of Field Operations from 2017-2018. In this role, she helped develop a core field research program, forged relationships with local communities, mentored graduate students and led classes for high school students. She is also a semi-professional photographer and was featured in the 2020 Shark Week episode Tiger Shark Abyss. Christine believes science is meant for the public and brings her business expertise, art, and passion for the ocean together to spread science to a wider audience.

Brendan Shea is a marine scientist working to inform the conservation of large marine predators. His research largely focuses on the ecological role of sharks, with a particular interest in predator-prey dynamics, risk effects, and deep-water habitat use. Brendan is a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech, and holds an M.S. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colorado College.  He has worked extensively with Beneath the Waves throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic since 2018, including serving as the organization’s Research Manager for the 2019 field season in Cape Cod and as the lead scientist on multiple expeditions to the Bahamas. Brendan’s research experience is wide, including acoustic and satellite telemetry, biologging, physiology, remote camera work, biostatistics, and big data/environmental synthesis. He is an avid surfer, scuba diver, and fisherman.

Dr. Oliver Shipley is the Senior Research Scientist at Beneath the Waves. Oliver’s research interests lie in the movement and feeding dynamics of marine predators. Oliver uses a suite of techniques, such as chemical tracers and acoustic and satellite telemetry to understand how large predators connect marine ecosystems. Through these approaches, he is also able to identify important habitats that support predator populations and examine how individuals may interact with management boundaries, such as the Bahamas shark sanctuary. Much of Oliver’s previous work has been focused in The Bahamas, but he now applies these techniques and questions across a suite of terrestrial and marine study locations.

Judith is a marine biologist interested in multidisciplinary research rooted in molecular biology, focused on threatened species such as sharks. She earned a BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences and a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Amsterdam, studying juvenile coral and sea urchin recruitment in Curaçao and the effects of habitat loss on juvenile lemon sharks in the Bahamas. Judith completed a Ph.D. from the University of Salford in the UK, focusing on the development and application of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches for the assessment of marine communities. This work has pioneered major advances towards the development of eDNA protocols for the detection and monitoring of sharks. One of the prime advantages of eDNA analysis is its broad applicability to answer a large range of ecological questions in a non-invasive manner. Now based in Miami, Judith’s post-doctoral research at Florida International University continues to build upon the advancement of eDNA applications for the assessment and monitoring of shark diversity, seasonal migrations, and the high-resolution investigation of diet composition.

Dr. Camrin Braun is a marine ecologist and biological oceanographer. Camrin’s research at the interface of top predator ecology and oceanography seeks to unite physical-biological interactions with the challenges of managing living marine resources in a dynamic ocean. His work in predator-environment relationships has demonstrated the significance of the deep ocean for top predators, a region of the marine realm that remains largely unexplored. Camrin is particularly passionate about questions that apply basic scientific inquiry to emerging ocean frontiers and challenges. He completed his M.Sc. in 2013 in Marine Science and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) and his Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography in 2018 through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography in 2018. He worked as a NASA-funded Postdoctoral Scholar at the Applied Physics Laboratory in 2019 and is now an Assistant Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington where he leads the Marine Predators Group. Dr. Braun is a National Geographic Explorer and member of the Explorer’s Club. His field expeditions have ranged from sailing the remote Pacific to understand coral reef food webs to tagging sharks on the offshore atolls of Sudan.

Dr. Erica Staaterman is a Bioacoustician at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the federal agency that manages energy development on the outer continental shelf of the United States. She serves as a technical expert in the Office of Environmental Programs, helping the Bureau assess potential impacts of man-made noise on wildlife. Erica received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Duke University in 2006, and her Ph.D. in Bioacoustics from the University of Miami in 2015. Her graduate studies focused on coral reef soundscapes and orientation behavior in reef fish larvae. After her Ph.D., she did a post-doctoral fellowship with Smithsonian Institution where she continued research in passive acoustic monitoring of marine habitats, with an extended research period spent in Panama. She was one of the founding members of the Beneath the Waves team, helping get the initial programs off the ground, and she served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. Outside of work, Erica enjoys spending time outdoors, especially on her bike or underwater.

Dr. Shaili Johri is a geneticist with a research focus in conservation genomics of wildlife populations. She completed her B.S. and M.S. in India and moved to the United States for her Ph.D. in Genetics. Johri did her post-doctorate at the Center for Conservation Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, and is currently a senior Postdoctoral fellow at the Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University. She works at the intersection of marine conservation policy and interdisciplinary research, and her research career spans projects relating to conservation of tigers in western India, wolves in northwest USA, killer whales in the Pacific Northwest, and sharks and rays in the North America and India. Her role as a project lead involves developing genomic and metagenomic tools to assist with biodiversity assessments and population health monitoring of marine megafauna such as sharks. Dr. Johri is at the forefront of developing and making accessible genomic technologies as a means for assessment of priority concern species in resource-poor locations.

Dr. Nick Payne is a lecturer in marine biology at Trinity College Dublin Ireland. Growing up around the pristine beaches and oceans of South Australia, Nick developed a passion for marine life as a kid. He went on to study at the University of Adelaide before taking research positions in Japan and the UK, and then moving to a faculty position in Ireland in 2018. Most of Nick’s research is focused on marine animals, particularly fishes, and he is increasingly interested in discovering the ways in which environmental variation regulates where animals go and what they do. His research is fieldwork-driven, and hugely reliant on strong relationships with international collaborators such as Beneath the Waves.

Dr. Brennan Phillips is an Assistant Professor in Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. He specializes in the development and application of novel instrumentation for oceanographic research. His current research topics include low-light imaging of deep-sea biology and bioluminescence, soft robotic manipulators, hydraulic systems, distributed sensing, and low-cost, lightweight methods for ocean exploration. Dr. Phillips received his BS in Ocean Engineering from URI, an MS in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from URI/GSO. Prior to joining the faculty at URI, Dr. Phillips served as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory and was the lead ROV engineer/pilot for Dr. Robert Ballard. He is a passionate teacher and enjoys surfing, running, and spending time with his family.

Tadzio Bervoets was born on St. Maarten and from an early age had an affinity for nature, particularly the sea. Tadzio earned Bachelor degrees in International Relations and Geo Management from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami. Tadzio also received a Master’s degree from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in environmental resource management with a specialty in coral reef ecosystems. In between degrees, he worked as a dive master, did volunteer work for the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and helped start a nonprofit foundation called Ocean Care. Tadzio began his professional career in Tanzania developing incentives for local fishermen to become marine park rangers and conducting sea urchin management. He returned to the Caribbean to serve one year as a marine park manager in St. Eustatius. Soon after, he returned to St. Maarten where he managed the St. Maarten Nature Foundation for almost 10 years.

Tadzio has accepted a new challenge to become Interim Executive Director at Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) as of October 2019. Supported by island park management authorities, DCNA Board members and secretariat, Tadzio leads efforts to build ties not only within the Dutch Caribbean, but regionally and internationally, developing strong working relationships with the Dutch Ministries and top tier conservation organizations such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Bird Conservation Netherlands and the World Wildlife Fund.

Jim recently joined our Beneath the Waves team. Jim is also the Partnerships Manager for the Heart of the Rockies Initiative in the American West which supports 27 land trusts in the northern Rockies. Jim is an award-winning, professionally certified wildlife biologist who worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for 31 years. He received an undergraduate degree in biology with an emphasis on marine biology from San Diego State and Florida State universities and his graduate degree in wildlife biology from Montana State University in Bozeman. Jim studied mountain lion ecology for his Master’s Degree on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front and has focused on mountain lion and other wildlife conservation issues in various roles ever since. As a wildlife biologist, Jim managed big game populations ranging from pronghorn antelope and elk to mountain goats, worked with rural agricultural landowners on wildlife tolerance issues, developed new conservation easements, wildlife management areas and other habitat conservation projects. Later as the FWP Wildlife Program Manager, Jim supervised and led a talented group of research and wildlife biologists and his team developed grizzly bear conflict, monitoring and research programs and initiated western Montana’s first wolf conservation program. Most recently, as the Regional Supervisor for over 100 employees in northwestern Montana, Jim provided leadership and support for parks, wildlife, fisheries and enforcement and administration divisions. Jim has worked with wildlife biologists in Chile and Argentina on a variety of wildlife conservation projects. In 2018, Patagonia Inc. published his autobiography, Path of the Puma, which shares some of those adventures and the story of mountain lion and large carnivore conservation in the Americas. Penguin Random House Audio recently published the audio version of Path of the Puma which Jim personally narrated. Jim enjoys swimming and kayaking in Whitefish Lake, mountaineering in Glacier National Park, and downhill skiing. Jim and his wife Melora reside in Whitefish in the City Beach neighborhood.

Dr. Rashid Sumaila is Professor and Director, Fisheries Economics Research Unit and the OceanCanada Partnership at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in bioeconomics, marine ecosystem valuation and the analysis of global issues such as fisheries subsidies, illegal fishing, climate change and oil spills. Sumaila is deeply interested in how economics, through integration with ecology and other disciplines, can be used to help ensure that environmental resources are sustainably managed for the benefit of all generations. He has experience working in fisheries and natural resource projects in Norway, Canada and the North Atlantic region, Namibia and the Southern African region, Ghana and the West African region and Hong Kong and the South China Sea.

Sumaila has published extensively, including in Science, Nature and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. He is winner of the 2017 Volvo Environmental Prize, 2017 Benchley Oceans Award in Science; 2016 UBC Killam Research Prize; 2013 American Fisheries Society Excellence in Public Outreach Award; 2009 Stanford Leopold Leadership Fellowship and 2008 Pew Marine Fellowship. Sumaila was named a Hokkaido University Ambassador in 2016. He has given talks at the UN Rio+20, the WTO, the White House, the Canadian Parliament, the African Union, the European Union and the British House of Lords. His research has generated a great deal of interest, and has been cited by, among others, The Economist, The Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, the Globe and Mail, the Wall Street Journal and Vancouver Sun.

Professor Carlos M. Duarte is the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in Red Sea Ecology at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in Saudi Arabia. Before this he was Research Professor with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Director of the Oceans Institute at The University of Western Australia. He also holds an adjunct position at the Arctic Research Center in Aarhus University, Denmark. Duarte’s research focuses on understanding the effects of global change in marine ecosystems and developing nature-based solutions to global challenges, including climate change, and develop evidence-based strategies to rebuild the abundance of marine life by 2050. He has conducted research across all continents and oceans, spanning most of the marine ecosystem types, from inland to near-shore and the deep sea and from microbes to whales. Professor Duarte led the Malaspina 2010 Expedition that sailed the world’s oceans to examine the impacts of global change on ocean ecosystems and explore their biodiversity.

Professor Duarte served as President of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography between 2007 and 2010. He has published more than 800 scientific papers and has been ranked within the top 1% Highly-Cited Scientist by Thompson Reuters in all assessments of this rank. He has received many honors, including the G. Evelyn Hutchinson Award from the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography in 2001, the National Science Award of Spain (2007), and the I. Vernadsky Medal of the European Geophysical Union. the Prix d’Excellence by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES, 2011), the Carlo Heip award for excellent in Marine Biodiversity (2018), and the Ramon Margalef Ecology Award (2019), and honorary doctorates from the Université de Québec a Montrèal (Canada) in 2010 and Utrecht University (The Netherlands) in 2012. He has been appointed to the Expert Group supporting the High Level Group, including 12 heads of states, that under the UN is working to propose, by 2020, a pathway towards a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

Founder & CEO Hidden Worlds Entertainment. Throughout his life, Daniel has been driven by the desire to better understand the human mind and how to utilize this knowledge to improve the impact we have on each other and the environment. This desire has been a leading force behind his decision to focus on Consumer Decision Making during his studies at Copenhagen Business School and Seoul National University where he graduated top of his class with a Master in Business and Economics. From here, Daniel ventured to apply this knowledge in a real-world context. Focusing on sustainability finance early in his career, Daniel established and headed the Financial Engineering division of Vestas Wind in China. Here he structured several Gigawatts worth of wind energy finance and helped the company to transition from a price-based, to a value-based sales model through internal stakeholder management and the development of new products and solutions. During his free time, he consulted for several international companies on their China market strategy. Among them The Third Floor, Hollywood’s leading previsualization company, which led him to develop a strong interest in the impact of storytelling a passion that has defined his career ever since. Gaining a foothold in the entertainment industry, Daniel developed the idea of 360-degree destination cinemas which ultimately led to him joining Oracle Projects International as a partner. Despite being involved in several large scale and truly impressive immersive activations, Daniel came to realize that something was missing. There was neither purpose nor positive impact in what he did, leading him to conceptualize the future one where entertainment not only wows audiences but also produces positive and measurable change. A perfect platform to utilize his strong background in psychology, sustainability, entertainment, and finance. Teaming up with some of the world’s leading individuals in themed entertainment, conservation, technology and storytelling, the resulting venture Hidden Worlds Entertainment is set to redefine one segment of the leisure market at a time starting with the aquarium industry.

Don is the Upper School Science Department Head at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. He has a degree in Chemistry from UMass-Amherst and a Master’s in Natural Sciences from WPI. He has been teaching in both formal (Thayer Academy) and informal (Museum of Science in Boston) settings for over thirty years. He is a past president of the New England Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers and a former board member of The Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers. Topics he has taught through his career range from 7th grade science through high school to undergraduate work in science education at MIT. Don started his career mostly in the physical sciences of chemistry and physics, but he has also been involved in teaching the life sciences. This has culminated in a new high school curriculum that integrates both, and in recent years has facilitated nearly 50 students’ involvement in hands-on marine science programs with Beneath the Waves. He is excited to be helping expand the organization’s educational opportunities to his students and beyond, as the work that is at the core of his teaching philosophy.

Dr. Keith Myrick is a physician at Specialty Orthopaedics in Louisville, KY. He received his medical education from Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio University of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, OH. He completed his surgical residency at The University of Louisville Hospital in 2002. He is board certified in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and The American Academy of Sports Medicine. He serves as a consultant for The University of Louisville sports, The Cincinnati Reds baseball team (Louisville Bats), and previously The Louisville Fire Arena Football team and the 2008 McDonald’s All-American basketball West Team physician. In 2008 he was appointed Medical Director for Norton Hospital and their Director of resident education. He was appointed in 2017 by KY Governor Matt Bevin as President of the KY state medical Board for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Myrick, a Louisville native, has held a thoroughbred racing license for over 20 years and is active in the horse racing business. He has also been involved in television and radio shows including HGTV’s Bahamas Life and ESPN’s The Injury Report.

Tony is the Program Director for The International SeaKeepers Society’s Discovery Yacht Program. A Miami native, he has always had a love for the ocean. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Florida State University in Tallahassee and a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law from St. Thomas University School of Law. He works to engage the yachting community in the pursuit of scientific research, education, and conservation of our oceans. It is in this capacity that he has worked with Beneath the Waves several times as both vessel liaison, connector, and research assistant.

Jeff Todd manages marketing and communications for The Foundation (WCPD), a boutique financial services firm that works with the largest philanthropists in Canada. Jeff Todd is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for The Foundation (WCPD), a boutique financial services firm that works with some of the largest philanthropists in Canada. He serves in a similar capacity for GIV Bahamas Inc., a real estate development firm in Exuma, The Bahamas.

In addition to his role with Beneath the Waves Canada, Todd is President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Ottawa, Canada, and a Board Member of the Exuma Foundation of Canada.

Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Jeff was an international journalist with experience in Canada, The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates. His work appeared in newspapers across North America, including the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.

Todd is a former international journalist and award-winning author. He has published five books, ranging from fiction, to non-fiction, to memoirs.

Brazilian born, Cleveland raised, filmmaker Filipe DeAndrade has a passion for wildlife and freely admits he is addicted to adventure. Filipe graduated from the University of Florida and started a production house with his friends called Comfort Theory. In 2015 Filipe won National Geographic’s Wild to Inspire short film competition at the Sun Valley Film Festival and is a 20 Time NY Emmy Award Winner as producer and photographer. Nat Geo WILD invited Filipe to work on several documentary projects and he is currently producing the WILD YouTube show Untamed for National Geographic.

Over the last decade, Andi has worked in a plethora of roles, making her a well-rounded strategist. With experience spanning venture capital, business development, business strategy, brand, digital, and marketing professional, she’s held roles at both large-scale and start-up organizations. Starting businesses from the ground up and advising enterprise businesses on how to run and scale for success has been at the core of her experience. Andi collaborates with established venture capitalists in both America and Australia. Today, Andi is the Head of Product Architecture, Design & Strategy at a digital product shop called Hatchd in Perth, Western Australia. Her professional objective is to further understand the inner workings of impactful businesses; helping them better the world, become leaders in their industries and evolve in the ever-changing global landscape. She serves as the Director of Marketing for Beneath the Waves, developing digital strategies to innovate solutions for added growth, fundraising, and branding and advertising. Andi was accepted to Harvard Business School’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship courses in 2019. She graduated from George Washington University with a BBA in Advertising & Marketing. In her spare time can be found seeking adventure around the world, scuba diving, sky diving, riding horses, competitive mountain bike racing, and most recently, surfing.

Captain Jason Halvorsen is a marine operations expert, commercial boat operator, and is the current captain of M/Y Marcato, a 150-ft luxury expedition yacht based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During his career, Jason owned a yacht management company, has been captain on private and charter yachts, commercially towed, and has also been a salvage master. He attended Marine Tech School studies and completed a Marine Mechanics Degree. Through his work as an Advisor to Beneath the Waves, he oversees and facilitates expedition planning and logistics, and advises on virtually all aspects of marine operations – from safety to international regulations. He also has facilitated numerous high impact expeditions aboard private yachts involving marine research and shark studies, submersibles, and deep-sea technology. In his time off the water, Jason enjoys traveling with his wife and young daughter and continues traveling throughout the US and Europe as often as his busy schedule allows.

Kristin Hettermann is recognized for her underwater and adventure travel photography and awareness efforts surrounding important environmental and social causes. Kristin strives to share important stories, document the earth and its cultures, inspire people to explore, and raise awareness for crucial causes – particularly the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans. As a writer and photographer, Kristin’s goal is to produce work that elicits feelings, questions, and a desire to experience life deeply and consciously. Based between Maui and Manhattan, her work and travels have taken her on adventures around the world with a keen eye toward ocean conservation and indigenous cultures. She supports valuable projects, causes, and initiatives through visual and literary storytelling, dynamic local-global influence, brain trust collaboration, and philanthropic efforts. Kristin serves as an Advisor to Beneath the Waves and Ambassador to Oceanic Global, and her environmentally-focused feature writing can be seen on Scientific American, Newsweek and Virgin platforms. Her OCEANSCAPES ocean conservation photography brand was launched in August of 2018 and aims to inspire people to “feel the ocean,” executing inspirations of her underwater photography throughout various partnerships and projects in art, fashion, science, and philanthropy.

James Sternlicht has been a lifelong advocate for environmental initiatives with a passion for ocean conservation. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Oceanic Global, a partner non-profit driving ocean-focused education, b2b, and policy solutions, particularly focused on blockchain. Beyond his work in ocean conservation, James works on systems change and thought leadership through his roles with Foundation House CT & his family foundation, spearheading multi-pronged initiatives to improve the human condition while protecting the natural world. His passions include history, economics, and technology, and he currently serves in advisory roles with organizations working on the implementation of data science and artificial intelligence for good. He attended Dartmouth College and holds a BA in Environmental Studies & Geography.

Jeff King is founder of InsightFuel, an engineering services company reversing global warming by displacing dirty energy and fuel with clean, domestic renewable natural gas. Jeff began his career with BFGoodrich Aerospace, then moved to SSP Fittings where he eventually served as President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, and holds an MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, where he majored in entrepreneurship and operations management. Jeff holds a commercial pilot’s license and enjoys traveling with his wife and 4 children, and when possible, his 2 dogs.

Steve is a Senior Vice President and relationship manager for Bank of America / Merrill Lynch in the Baltimore, MD office, serving middle market companies with annual revenues of $50 million to $2 billion. He is responsible for business development, strengthening client relationships, and helping customers meet their financial goals. Steve joined the bank from Wells Fargo & Co., where he served as Market Director, leading a team that created comprehensive and tailored banking solutions for middle market firms. Prior to that, he held strategic roles at Citibank, NA, GE Capital, and M&T Bank. Steve earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration, both with concentrations in Finance, from Loyola University Maryland.

Malik Adunni is a global connector, music maven, and co-founder of Gold Credentials, a platform that creates, collaborates, and activates artists to work with brands to engage their fans. He has worked in music for over 20 years working as a tour manager and event producer globally. He has helped produce 3 large-scale shows at Coachella with top profile artists such as Avicii, Deorro, and most recently Nora En Pure. In 2019, Malik finished a global tour with rising pop star Greyson Chance who had appearances on the Ellen Show and Good Morning America. Malik has been on the Board of Directors with Beneath the Waves for 3 1/2 years. During this time, he learned how to scuba dive and has participated in 3 major shark tagging expeditions, assisting with science logistics and building out the expedition series concept as a platform for cutting-edge conservation research and engagement with high profile supporters. He is also is on the UCLA Entertainment Industry Cabinet, is a Brand Ambassador for Puppies Make Me Happy and Thanks You Made My Day. His involvement is to spread happiness and positivity. He is currently working on a children’s book with his mother that should be released later this year.

Jeffrey Pankey is the founder and President of Figment Design, a full-service advertising and marketing agency established in Miami, Florida for the past 27 years. His clients include companies spanning travel and tourism, outdoors and sports, automotive, and numerous luxury hotels and properties throughout the Greater Caribbean. Always a lover of nature, and protector of those things needing protection, his day job allows him to spread the message about protecting our world’s most precious treasures. With his full dedication to the program, he offers years of digital communications, marketing and creative expertise along with contacts throughout the Caribbean to help anchor research campaigns and forge partnerships where they are needed the most. He looks forward to retirement, when he can dedicate all of his time to Beneath the Waves.

Wendy Benchley is a renowned global voice for protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. She co-founded the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Awards,™ honoring her late husband’s legacy, to recognize the exceptional conservation work being done by marine scientists, researchers, explorers, and policy makers both in the United States and around the world. Fiercely committed to finding solutions and making progress on complex ocean issues, Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community and supports many of the world’s leading ocean and environmental philanthropies. She was the 2014 recipient of the International SeaKeepers Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted into the Women’s Diving Hall of Fame in 2015, received the 2016 Beneath the Sea ‘Diver of the Year for Environmentalism’ Award, the 2017 Pegasus Foundation Wings Award for excellence in animal and habitat protection, and the 2019 Rob Stewart Foundation Lifetime Achievement for Ocean Conservation Award.

Rose Mann is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council. She joined the Council from The Nature Conservancy, where she served as a Director of the Global Oceans Program leading the philanthropy strategy for a $100 million capital campaign in the areas of coastal risk and resilience, sustainable fisheries, ocean protection, and ocean governance. Previously, she served as the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. Mann has more than 25 years of experience in the field of ocean conservation fundraising. She has raised more than $300 million for science, climate, and ocean protection during her career, and has dedicated her life to the protection of the Earth.