People & Partner Type: Executive Committee

Janelle Chanona joined Oceana as its new leader for Belize in January 2014.  The former Belize newscaster and Belmopan native now leads Oceana’s efforts to protect Belize’s marine resources. Chanona, a long time anchor for News Five, Great Belize Productions in Belize, most recently ran her own media and production company. She has produced documentaries … Read more

Christopher Sharkey is Chief Financial Officer of Oceana.  A seasoned executive with nearly 25 years of committed service to international and domestic NGO’s. Sharkey’s broad experience in the areas of finance, administrative functions, and programmatic operations include 11 years as Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Citizens Development Corps and 10 years as Vice … Read more

Matt has played a key role in building Oceana’s brand, digital presence and supporter base over the past decade and a half.  He’s also helped to develop several initiatives and ideas that have helped Oceana become the largest dedicated international ocean conservation group on the planet. Before Oceana, Matt was a senior marketing executive and … Read more

Josh grew up in Northern Ontario, Canada and spent his childhood lost in the creeks and swamps around his house, with countless hours spent chasing reptiles and all things that creep and crawl. He is still hard-wired to chase reptiles whenever he can, much to his son’s delight… and his wife’s dismay. Turning his boyhood … Read more

Liesbeth van der Meer is a doctor of veterinary medicine and earned her degree with a focus on salmon aquaculture at the University of Chile. She quickly became disillusioned with the salmon farming industry, which inspired her career in conservation. Liesbeth earned her master’s degree in natural resource management and environmental sustainability with a focus on … Read more

Katie joined Oceana in January 2016 as their Deputy Chief Scientist, and stepped into the Chief Scientist role three years later.  She’s responsible for ensuring that Oceana’s advocacy is informed by the best and most current scientific understanding, as well as tracking emerging issues, advising on strategic direction, and supporting the nearly 50 staff scientists … Read more

Jim Simon is President of Oceana. For nearly 20 years, Simon has made the environment the focus of his legal career, holding leadership positions in government and nonprofits, and advising businesses on management strategy and operations. Simon is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Law … Read more