People & Partner Type: Oceana Staff

Kleon Coleman is very passionate about finding solutions to environmental problems. As a very young boy, he developed a love for the environment while being a member of the 9th Belize St. Ignatius Scout Group. His zeal for the marine environment blossomed when he volunteered to help protect manatees. Kleon achieved an Associate’s Degree from … Read more

Shanda Burgess was born and raised in Independence Village in the Stann Creek District. She attended Independence Junior College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and Tourism and joined the Oceana team in February 2018 as our Stann Creek Field Representative. Shanda enjoys spending time on the waters and swimming.

As Pacific Communications Manager, Jamie Karnik informs and engages the public about Oceana’s campaign work off the U.S. west coast from the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean to the warm shores of California. He previously worked for Oceana from 2007 – 2010, supporting campaigns to protect forage species in Oregon and California, close important … Read more

Biologist with more than ten years of experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable development, conservation and climate change projects in marine and terrestrial Socio-Ecological Systems, in the academic sector and in civil society organizations.

A member of the Oregon State Bar since 2011, Tara is based in Portland, Oregon, and has worked on a variety of ocean and coastal issues over the last ten years, including plastic pollution, marine spatial planning, habitat protection and fisheries management.  She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan with … Read more

Alison joined the Development office in 2019 after 13 years as a Communications Director for Aidan Montessori and Edmund Burke, two independent schools in Washington, DC. Using her background in education and marine science, she writes materials that explain Oceana’s goals, policies, and strategies in a clear and compelling manner. Alison holds a B.A. in … Read more

Brussels, being the greenest capital of Europe (in terms of green spaces J) has probably not the most direct link with oceans you can imagine. Indeed Belgium is not usually pictured as a symbol for oceans, tropical fish species, colorful corals reefs and other beauty of the marine environment. However, being the political heart of … Read more

Francisca joined Oceana in the role of the Graphic Designer in May 2018. As a graphic designer she is specialized in illustration. Her designs have given creativity to Oceana’s campaigns, media content, and publications.  Before Oceana, Francisca worked in the Ministry of the Environment where she learned how to design graphics for environmental topics. Also, during 2017 Francisca launched her first book, written and illustrated with water color about the flora, fauna, national parks, Indigenous cultures and foods of Chile.   Location: Chile

Abogada por la Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) con experiencia en derecho ambiental y de los recursos naturales. Laboró en el Programa de Política y Gestión Ambiental de la Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA) donde desarrolló su experiencia en política y gestión ambiental, evaluación de impacto ambiental, fiscalización ambiental, así como en materia … Read more