Board & Staff
Staff
Our team of scientists provides innovative scientific solutions to challenges threatening ocean health and marine life in our rapidly changing world. In addition to our researchers is a team that plays a critical role in helping accomplish our mission:
Corporate Officers
Donald B. Kent, M.S., President & CEO
Bethany Smith, M.B.A., Chief Financial OfficerDanielle Haulsee, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer
Development & Community Relations
Celina Maggi, Director of Development
Annalee Kraai, Development Manager
Administrative Staff
Julie Carpenter, Human Resources Coordinator
Dena Leon, Front Office Coordinator
Christine Truman, IT Manager
Laura Vega, Accounting ManagerLes Winchester, Facility and Safety Manager
Senior Research Scientists
Research Scientists
Research Assistants & Support Staff
Victor Bach Munoz
Kourtney Barber
Matt Elliott
Agatha Fabry
Duncan Fleming
Madison Guthrie
Maya Hodder
Jack Howell
Andrew Jarrett
Mariana Kawakami
Robert Ledesma
Dean Maidhof
Jax Mikkelsen
Amy Yarbrough Miles
Karen Miller McClune
Kristen Page
Taylor Overy
Jordan Pritzl
Christine Steinke
David Tabor
Phillip Tahimic
Other Affiliated Scientists
Liz Gagneron (Research Associate)
Michael Rust, Ph.D. (Research Fellow)
Todd Schmitt, D.V.M. (Research Associate)
Connie Silbernagel, D.V.M., M.P.V.M. (Research Associate)
Board of Trustees
The HSWRI Board of Trustees represents a collection of visionary leaders who have distinguished careers in a variety of scientific, corporate, and cultural endeavors. Each Board member brings to the Institute a vision for ocean conservation, a dedication to advance the Institute and its mission, and a dedication to community service.
Chairman Emeritus
Milt Shedd (deceased)
Chair Emeritus, Science Committee
Dr. Clark Hubbs (deceased)
Executive Committee
Bill Shedd, Chairman of the Board, AFTCO Manufacturing Company, Inc.; Chairman of the Board
Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment; Chair, Science Committee
J. David Gardner, Principal, Highland Partnership, Inc.; Chair, Finance Committee and Immediate Past Chair
John Morrell, Chairman Emeritus, Higgs, Fletcher, Mack; Chair, Audit Committee
Jerry Sansom, Governmental Affairs Consultant, JHS Legislative Consultants; Chair, Corporate and Government Relations Committee
Ian K. Stewart, Former Director of Corporate Sustainability, Sempra Energy; Chair, Nominating Commitee
Laurilee Thompson, Owner, Dixie Crossroads; Chair, Development Committee
Board of Trustees
Robert C. Fletcher, Past President, Sportfishing Association of California
Paul Fruchbom, Co-Founder, KDF Communities
Michael King, Director of Real Estate & Development, King’s Seafood
Jim Lake, Park President, SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place San Diego
Laura MacKinnon, Senior Social Impact & Sustainability Specialist, Wells Fargo Bank
Ermelinda Ruiz Moretti, Chief Advocate, Chevron Corporation
Nick Sanzone, Environmental Programs Coordinator, City of Satellite Beach, FL
Sharon Vidal, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Illumina
Robert J. Weiner, Owner, Star-Box, Inc
Louis Zimm, Captain (Retired), UCSD/SIO
Trustees Emeritus
Senator Dede Alpert
Art DeFever (deceased)
Char DeMotte
George L. Gildred
Wally Schirra (deceased)
Officers
Donald B. Kent, M.S. President & Chief Executive Officer
Bethany Smith, M.B.A. Chief Financial Officer/Secretary