Staff and Leadership

Surrounded by South Florida’s water, sun and sand, Ivonne has always been passionate about marine science and exploration of the ocean’s ecosystems. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and a concentration in Marketing where she manifested her passion for building relationships and managing brand awareness. Her background in marketing and experience working in the customer satisfaction and non-profit field, drew her to the International SeaKeepers Society as a Marketing and Public Relations Manager informing and engaging supporters in order to ultimately strengthen the organizations mission.

Tony Gilbert is a Miami native who has always had a love for the ocean. Most summers were spent in the Florida Keys, sailing, fishing, and wakeboarding. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Florida State University in Tallahassee, he moved back down to Miami, where he spent years in the Fashion Retail Industry in operations, logistics, and marketing. He then received a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law. While in Law School he worked as a legal assistant as well as in the business development department of a high-profile architecture firm. His diverse background and experience have now led him to The International SeaKeepers Society as Program Director, engaging the yachting community in the pursuit of scientific research, education, and conservation of our oceans.

Katie is a Colorado native who grew up in the mountains and fell in love with the ocean during family vacations to Florida and California. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and earned both a Bachelor and Master of Arts and Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. During her graduate degree, Katie studied the relationship between symbiotic algae and marine invertebrates, such as sea anemones, jellyfish, and corals. After graduation, she conducted field research in Key Largo where she became passionate about marine ecosystems in Southeast Florida. After a brief move to Portland, Oregon, Katie moved to Miami to work with the SeaKeepers and pursue her passion for ocean conservation and education. As a Program Associate, Katie implements data collection through Citizen Science and leads beach, island, and dive cleanups.

Melissa is a Texas native but has called the world her home for the last 10 years. Following a passion for the ocean, she studied at the University of the Virgin Islands where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. Upon graduating she found her way into the yachting industry which allowed her to dive and do underwater photography in some of the most remote locations around the world. Through yachting she was connected to SeaKeepers, getting to pursue science while working in the yachting industry. Due to her passion for conservation, she is now a part of the SeaKeepers team as the Events & Membership Manager.

Ruth, a native from Kingston, Jamaica has always enjoyed the ocean and recognizes the importance it plays in the livelihood of everyone. For the past 20 years, Miami has been home base after living in both Europe and South America. She has experienced being part of Miami’s extraordinary cultural growth and has enjoyed working in the non-profit sector at such an exciting time with organizations like Frost Museum of Science and Miami City Ballet. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida International University; and a Graduate Certificate from Harvard Extension School in Strategic Management.

Gill has been part of the SeaKeepers family since 2013, first based in Miami and now London. She brings over 20 years' non-profit experience, including a variety of diverse roles across ocean conservation, environmental research and education. She brings with her a wide range of skills including academic research initiatives, relationship building and stewardship.

Gill’s role is to develop the SeaKeepers mission, programming, and membership in Europe to establish and build the UK hub. She is focused on growing SeaKeepers existing relationships, creating new partnerships, and expanding SeaKeepers international reach.

Dick is a creative team leader with proven success driving brand visibility and market share for companies in multiple industries, including motorsports, boating, and aviation. With a solid career track with 28 years plus in the management of domestic and international clients, Dick is key to expanding the vessel donation program and promoting the mission of SeaKeepers to the yachting community.

Steve’s charter is to expand SeaKeepers presence on the west coast. Coupling a business career that spans over 50 years, the last 25 as a Chief Executive, with a life-long connection with the sea as a surfer, scuba-diver and boat owner/operator, Steve is well-positioned to promote SeaKeepers Mission with a focus on yacht donations.

Sarah is a South Florida native who has been in, on, or around the ocean since before she could walk. Much of her childhood was spent learning and playing at the beaches and natural parks with her mother, who’d grown up on the beaches of the Cayman Islands, and brought her every day after school. She considers the ocean and its surrounding coastal environments her backyard and loves surfing, fishing, freediving, and scuba diving. Sarah is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami. She currently works as an EMT and is thrilled to spend the rest of her time as the Program Support Specialist, where she gets to use her diverse experience, academic studies, and thorough knowledge of local ecosystems to assist in Citizen Science projects, beach cleanups, and floating classrooms, to foster a love of conservation and learning.

Toni was born and raised in Southwest Michigan, where her high school biology teacher fostered her passion for science and research. She followed her interest in marine science to the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, where she earned a double Bachelor of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Marine Science and Biology. As an undergraduate student, Toni worked and completed research with the UM Experimental Fish Hatchery focusing on sustainable aquaculture development and waste reduction. Toni also completed her Master of Science in Animal Biology with the University of California, Davis. Her research focused on conservation larviculture of California fishes threatened by climate change and human influence. After a brief time living in Northern Baja, California, Mexico, Toni returned to Miami to work with SeaKeepers as the Education Manager. As such, she connects with students, educators, and citizen scientists via floating classrooms, educational workshops, and the Junior SeaKeepers program. In this position, Toni is able to apply her vast knowledge of marine research toward inspiring students of all ages from all over the globe to have a passion for ocean conservation.

Laura is a Miami native who grew up sailing the Miami waterways and diving along Florida’s reefs. After Laura completed her bachelor’s in science in Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida, she joined the Peace Corps. Laura served for two years in Albania, where she helped design a Health Education program in the local village school and completed community projects. She always had a passion for science and returned to the United States and worked as a Middle School Science Teacher and STEM Coordinator. Her diverse background and love for the ocean have led her to become a Marketing Assistant for the International SeaKeepers Society.

Lee grew up connected to the waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. He is fortunate to have had a Grandfather & Father who were watermen. Preserving our waters is a family value, and its protection is a way of life.

Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida in 1992, was a licensed yacht broker for 27 years, and a 100 Ton USCG Master for 28 Years. He is an avid boater, and his passion for our waters drives him to help others understand their value.