Our Community

Megan Hickling

Environmental Sustainability & Programming Assistant

Megan grew up on the south coast of England in Southampton, enjoying the marine environment through watersports and visits to the seaside. She completed a BEng in Maritime Engineering at the University of Southampton before following her passion for sustainability with an MSc in Corporate Environmental Management at the University of Surrey. She has also been involved with the superyacht and wider maritime industry for more than 5 years, most recently writing sustainability-focused articles for the superyacht industry. Megan is now bringing her skills to SeaKeepers as Environmental Sustainability & Programming Assistant, helping assist the UK hub and its program, as well as developing SeaKeepers’ sustainability.

Vicky Neild

United Kingdom Programming Assistant

Growing up in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and far from the ocean, Vicky’s passion for marine science was sparked by trips to the Caribbean to visit family when she was younger. Here, she gained an appreciation for how beautiful, yet fragile marine habitats are. She graduated from the University of Plymouth with a master’s in marine biology, where she studied the spatial relationship between shark aggregations and lower trophic level populations in the North Atlantic. Since graduating, she has spent time teaching young children, and hopes to use these skills and her passion for the marine realm in her position at SeaKeepers as the United Kingdom Programme Assistant.

Haley Davis

Citizen Science Manager

Haley Davis was born and raised in Austin, Texas; despite her distance from the Ocean, she has shown an affinity for the marine world from a young age. After becoming SCUBA certified and seeking several internship experiences throughout her undergraduate degree, Haley finally made the coast her home moving to Southeast Florida in 2021. Since then, Haley has been involved in research on coral reefs, obtaining a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Now Haley works with SeaKeepers as Citizen Science Manager to increase the understanding and involvement of the larger boating community in important and international science initiatives.

Lillian Engelhard

Community Engagement Associate

Lillian is a New Jersey native whose love for the ocean began with summer trips to the Jersey shore. After becoming scuba certified and experiencing a life-changing Manta Ray encounter, she decided to pursue a career in marine biology at the University of Miami. During her time at the University of Miami, she was a volunteer research assistant with the UM Protist Prophets, a laboratory studying Foraminifera as bioindicators of coral reef health. She graduated in May 2023 with a double Bachelor of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Marine Science and Biology. Early in her undergraduate career, Lillian realized her passion for ocean conservation. Her experience working with children as a swim instructor helped her understand the importance of educating future generations about how we can protect the oceans. This drew her to join the International SeaKeepers Society as Community Engagement Associate.

Ivonne Gamboa

Director of Marketing & PR

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 Master's Degree 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 Director of Marketing and Public Relations informing and engaging supporters in order to ultimately strengthen the organizations mission.

Tony Gilbert

Chief Programs Officer

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 Chief Programs Officer, engaging the yachting community in the pursuit of scientific research, education, and conservation of our oceans.

Aubri Keith

Program Development Manager

Aubri comes from Virginia but has worked and lived all over the world since graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s in International Business. Her love for the ocean and Scuba diving led her to a career in yachting where she has worked as dive instructor, chase boat captain, underwater photographer, and first officer on several yachts and live aboard dive charters. This strengthened her desire to conserve the marine environment and led her to pursue a Master’s in Marine Science and Conservation at Unity College. During her capstone courses, she was partnered with SeaKeepers to complete a research project on their citizen science program before joining the SeaKeepers’ team as Program Development Manager shortly after her graduation.

Toni Lohroff

Education Manager

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.

Alejandra Pedreros

Digital Marketing Assistant

Alejandra, a Colombia native, has been passionate about nature conservation all her life. In 2020 Alejandra joined the Climate Reality Leadership Corps to advocate for environmental justice. After graduating from FIU with a bachelor's in advertising and applied communications, she went on to gain several certifications in sustainability, including Oxford University’s The Future of Sustainable Business certification and the Carbon Institute’s Think Resilience course. Her love for our natural world and her mission to protect it led her to SeaKeepers, where she assists in marketing and social media content.

Steve Rizzone

West Coast Director

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.

Ruth Robinson

Chief Operations Officer

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.

Dick Seidenspinner

Chief Fleet Operations

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.

Katie Sheahan

Science Liaison

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 Science Liaison, Katie networks with the marine science community to identify impactful research projects for SeaKeepers’ Programming and disseminate important findings to the public.

Julian Chang

President & Board Member

During his 35 years of experience in the offshore and yachting industry, Julian has been involved in building and managing a total of 620 marine projects. His pursuit of quality was awarded with several prestigious yachting awards from Monaco and Asia. Being one of the earliest yachting enthusiasts’ in Asia he has explored most of its pristine waters stretching from the Maldives to the Great Barrier Reef, and loves to share his experience, knowledge and passion for boating and the ocean with new and existing yacht owners.

On June 2019 Julian Chang was appointed as BURGESS Senior Yacht Adviser, Asia.

To protect what he loves, Julian is a board member of The International SeaKeepers Society and President of our organisation’s Asian arm. In his spare time Julian relaxes on diving trips with family and friends, enjoys bird watching, fishing, chess, and motor biking.

Gail Tay

Director of Operations & Programmes

Gail is responsible for managing the programming and operations for SeaKeepers Asia. Always on the lookout for new programs and collaboration opportunities she advocates the work of ‘Research. Educate. Protect and Restore’ working together with DISCOVERY Yachts in educational outreach and during community activities.

Since it’s commencement in 2015, SeaKeepers Asia has reached out to over 1,500 school children in its activities and established multiple marine conservation projects and events, not only in Singapore but also in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Gail in her spare time is an ardent yoga practitioner; she completely relaxes on board a yacht, while appreciating the wonders of the sea and admiring its awesomeness.

Marla Lise

Educational Programme Planner

After becoming a dive master in Honduras and sailing as crew on a boat from Australia to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Marla decided that she had to join an organisation that helps her give back to the ocean that she had fallen in love with. Holding a Masters Degree in Environmental Science from Singapore and a Bachelors in Animal Science from Australia, this avid traveller now endeavours to inspire others to venture outside the box and open their minds to the many exciting perspectives the world has to offer.

When not travelling or volunteering for NGOs, Marla teaches English through a company that she set up in Singapore and lectures at some of the local private institutions.

Lucas Yang

Head of Communications

With over 18 years of experience in Public Relations, Events Management and Marketing in the luxury sector, Lucas’ role in SeaKeepers Asia is providing communications expertise. Originally from Singapore, Lucas is fluent in English, Chinese, French and because of having lived in Italy also fluent in Italian. In 2012, after holding notable positions in local and international companies, Lucas decided to establish his own marketing consultancy firm and works with several international brands sharing his expertise. In recent years, Lucas has volunteered for several social causes particularly with an interest in marine conservation.

Ko Chee Wah

Partnership Director

A love for the outdoors has consistently defined what Chee Wah is - from hiking in the woods, to sailing the open seas, or endless hours on the golf courses. Living in highly urbanised Singapore, he finds these pursuits to be especially therapeutic and mentally invigorating. Having spent more than 20 years building and owning businesses in international trade and sporting events, Chee Wah now focuses his time in contemplation on protecting and improving our environment - especially the vast oceans that cover more than 70% of our mother earth. He is therefore very honoured to have the opportunity to join the SeaKeepers Asia community and contribute towards advancing its mission.

Claira Phua

Administration Support

As the Administration Support, Claira is an integral member of the SeaKeepers Asia volunteer team. Keeping all our administration in order, she is in addition crucial in the preparations leading up to yacht shows, exhibitions and our annual Awards Dinner.

She enjoys the therapeutic nature of being at sea, and strongly believes that conservation of our oceans and its vast marine life, start from within ourselves, our children, and our homes.

Gill Rodrigues

Director International Relations

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.

Melissa White

Program Development Manager

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 Program Development Manager, South Pacific.