People & Partner Type: Oceana Staff

Connor’s role is advocacy with the US Congress, Biden Administration, and federal agencies on the U.S. shark fin, responsible fishing, and North Atlantic right whale campaigns. In 2020, Connor Fagan was selected as a NOAA Sea Grant Fellow placed with the Marine Mammal Commission. During his fellowship, Connor conducted Congressional and agency outreach, analyzed legislation, … Read more

Graduating in Journalism at the Paulista State University (Unesp), Patrícia has over 20 years of experience in communication for socio-environmental and human rights causes with relevant social movements, organizations and networks of Brazilian civil society. She sees communication as a powerful tool for the necessary shift towards a free, fair and solidarity-based society. Therefore, Patrícia … Read more

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Riley’s love for the oceans began early. After graduating with a B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science from Utah State University (Go Aggies!) Riley packed her bags and moved to Brisbane, Australia to pursue a M.S. in Conservation Biology at the University of Queensland. While there, she had … Read more

Corinne Leard, originally from Pennsylvania, joined Oceana in 2021 as a Social Media Specialist. Her lifelong passion for wildlife led her to a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University where she was involved in research focusing on non-human primate behavior and cognition. Before joining Oceana, Corinne was a part of multiple social … Read more

Growing up in a small town, Jessica ventured off into the world to begin her undergrad education at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Two years later, she found herself at a turning point in life, taking her across the pond to Yorkshire, England. There, she completed her undergrad education at Leeds Beckett University, graduating … Read more

Oceanographer (FURG) and Specialist in Economics and Environment (UFPR). From 2009 to 2016 she worked at Brazilian Federal Agency for fisheries management, having achieved extensive experience in development and implementation of public policies focused on sustainable fisheries development, regulation of fishery resources, and working with regional fisheries management organizations. Subsequently, she worked as a consultant … Read more

Carie joins Oceana after spending over a decade at the Humane Society of the United States, where she developed the social media program into an integral part of the organization’s fundraising and communications strategies. She also held department director roles at the Humane Society and United Way, and spent the last two years in the … Read more

Jillian is a recent graduate of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey where she received her master’s in International Environmental Policy and Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. After a one year hiatus spent traveling (and diving) throughout Southeast Asia following her undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, Jillian decided to pursue a … Read more

Anna Baxter is Oceana’s Communications Specialist. Originally from Delaware, Anna grew up on the water and is an avid boater and water sports enthusiast (hello wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and skiing). She developed a passion for the oceans at a young age and to this day enjoys snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Prior to coming to Oceana, … Read more