Staff
Tobias Aguirre
Mariah Boyle
Meghan Frolli
Victoria Galitzine
William Wall
Elsie Tanadjaja
Ashley Greenley
Ethan Lucas
Scott Kennedy
Brooke Towne
Kristen Swehla
Tobias Aguirre, MPIA, Executive Director
As Executive Director, Tobias sets the conservation vision and organizational strategy for FishWise. His work with retail industry executives, trade associations, and NGO leaders, seeks to build a collaborative approach to conservation that results in effective business and improved environmental performance. To that end, Tobias serves on many advisory bodies and committees, including the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s Environmental Stakeholder Committee, the Food Marketing Institute's Sustainable Seafood Committee Advisory Council, the Steering Committee of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, and Fair Trade USA’s Fisheries Advisory Council. Drawing from these diverse multi-stakeholder efforts, Tobias develops innovative solutions for FishWise business partners, while forging new ground in the complex world of seafood sustainability. He is also a frequent speaker at leading industry events, such as FMI's Sustainability Summit and the International Boston Seafood Show. Tobias holds degrees from Stanford University and UCSD’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, where he specialized in nonprofit management and business strategy and was named a Schoepflin Fellow for his work on sustainable fisheries.
Mariah Boyle, M.Sc., Traceability and IUU Project Director
As the Traceability and IUU Project Director, Mariah works to create tools that help FishWise partners, and the larger seafood industry, reduce and ultimately eliminate illegal seafood products from supply chains, while ensuring all seafood is traceable back to its origins. Mariah summarized the seafood traceability landscape in a white paper in 2012 and continues to work alongside the many stakeholders seeking to create viable solutions that allow for improvements on the water while safeguarding seafood businesses from fraud. Mariah has also organized workshops and participated in events focused on combating illegal fishing, serving as a coordinator within this network of stakeholders. Mariah’s background in science, business engagement, and supply chain logistics allow her to add a unique perspective to these conversations. Mariah has a Masters in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a Bachelor of Science from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is also an Assistant Specialist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, working with Dr. Marc Mangel in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Previously, she has worked in academia, government, and education, monitored west coast fish stocks at sea, and informed community-based MPAs in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Her published work focuses on shark conservation, stable isotope analysis, and trophic ecology of fishes.
Meghan Frolli, M.Sc., Project Director
As Project Director, Meghan oversees multiple FishWise partnerships and works closely with Project Mangers to meet partners’ needs and to successfully implement the FishWise program. During her tenure at FishWise, Meghan has developed an expertise in seafood certification schemes and aquaculture production, work that involves frequent site visits to aquaculture facilities and attendance at industry events. Meghan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Masters of Science degree in Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy from CSU Monterey Bay. Prior to FishWise, Meghan held employment as a marine science educator and aquarist for the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Meghan also worked as a state biologist for both the California and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife, where she conducted recreational fishing surveys within California and monitored rockfish populations for the network of Southern Oregon Marine Reserves. Through her background and employment history, Meghan brings a diverse and well-informed perspective on environmental science and policy as it pertains to the seafood industry.
Victoria Galitzine, B.Sc., Communications Project Manager
As Communications Project Manager, Victoria’s responsibilities include developing staff training and consumer outreach programs for FishWise partners as well as designing, writing, and updating FishWise materials with the latest scientific knowledge. She works on strategic communications for FishWise and its partners and assists in the development of sustainability assessments for various seafood species, both internally and via the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program. Victoria is also actively working to enhance communication within the local ocean conservation community in Santa Cruz via a bi-monthly event she spearheaded called ‘Blue Drinks’. Victoria graduated from the University of Wales, Swansea with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Marine Biology in 2006. Her final year thesis was focused on the changing feeding behavior of sea urchins in subtidal areas of Tenerife, Spain, likely as a response to the over-fishing of their predators. With experience running her university's Conservation Society and being a volunteer with The Clean Oceans Project, she has extensive knowledge of the issues facing the world's oceans and the research skills needed to develop market-based solutions that affect positive change.
William Wall, B.Tech. Aquaculture, Business Project Manager
As Business Project Manager, William provides ongoing support to all current FishWise partners, ensures all current members receive materials updates, monthly phone calls and regular audits and aids in consumer outreach through various forms of digital media. In 2007, William graduated from Flinders University in South Australia with a Bachelor of Technology in Aquaculture where he completed a capstone project on the comparative understanding of aquacultured vs. wild seafood amongst local consumers. More recently, William completed the MBT program at UC Berkeley with a concentration in Business Administration and Marketing. Having garnered a passion for marine environments and all that they offer from an early age, he has worked in a number of "hands-on" positions within the seafood supply chain over the last 9 years including jobs related to production, preparation and sales.
Elsie Tanadjaja, M.Sc., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Elsie provides support to the Managing Director and current business partners. Specializing in database management, Elsie is responsible for creating systems to monitor the sustainability performance of our partners. Being fluent in Indonesian, she is a great asset to engaging with fishery improvements projects in the Indo-Pacific region. Elsie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a minor in Asian American Studies from University of California Santa Barbara where she discovered her passion for the marine world. She holds a Masters degree from Moss Landing Marine Lab, looking at the potential effect of acidified ocean on the sand production of rhodoliths – free-living calcium carbonated seaweeds – and the rhodolith habitat that supports fishes and invertebrates. With research and environmental conservation experiences across the United States, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Mexico, Elsie integrates a multi-cultural perspective into her knowledge and understanding of human and ocean interactions.
Ashley Greenley, M.Sc., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Ashley provides support for existing FishWise partnerships, helps manage databases, and conducts product research with a particular focus on Latin American fisheries. Prior to joining FishWise, Ashley worked for Stanford University on a community-based project to restore commercially fished abalone populations in Baja California. Through this work in Mexico, Ashley established a strong relationship with the local fishing cooperative at Isla Natividad and gained valuable insight into seafood production logistics and challenges. Ashley obtained a B.S. in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, where she used acoustic telemetry to study the movement patterns of lingcod. During her graduate career, Ashley also worked with local commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and charter boat skippers on various collaborative research projects focused on nearshore fishes. Her experiences working with fishermen in California and Mexico have resulted in her passion to promote the preservation of marine resources, as well as the livelihoods that depend on them. With a strong foundation in marine science and a diversity of professional and research experiences, Ashley helps to develop environmentally responsible practices for the seafood industry.
Ethan Lucas, M.M.A., Project Manager
As a Project Manager, Ethan works closely with Bill to provide support for current FishWise business partners as well as tackle FishWise research and information needs. Ethan became involved in wild capture fisheries at a young age and later transitioned his focus towards marine conservation activities. Ethan holds a Bachelors of Science in Aquaculture & Fisheries Technology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s Degree in Marine Affairs (M.M.A.) from the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. During his graduate studies, Ethan utilized community-based coastal resource management experience gained as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines to inform the establishment of a large-scale, no-take marine protected area on the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef in Bohol, Philippines. Additional experience in a variety of marine related fields including outdoor marine education, NAUI scuba instruction, and marine policy development with NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program as a Knauss Fellow have contributed to Ethan’s strong interdisciplinary background that successfully integrates rigorous theoretical understanding with practical on-the-ground experience.
Scott Kennedy, B.A., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Scott works with Meghan, providing support for existing FishWise nationwide retailer partnerships as well as providing data management support. After earning a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a focus on Conservation from the University of California, Santa Cruz, he went on to work in abalone aquaculture for several years. As an abalone farmer, Scott gained insight into the relationships between producers, distributors, and retailers, as well as experience in the field of sustainable aquaculture. In addition to spawning and rearing young abalone larvae, processing abalone for market, and harvesting kelp, he managed the retail farm stand - enabling him to educate customers on the importance of sustainable seafood and aquaculture. He has also worked in retail seafood markets and restaurants, including El Pescador Fish Market and Grill in La Jolla, CA. Scott has been an avid fisherman, diver, and ocean enthusiast since a young age. Scott’s life long passions for fishing, marine conservation, and ecology, as well as his diverse work experiences, make him well equipped to implement positive change within the seafood industry.
Brooke Towne, B.A., Office Manager
As Office Manager, Brooke provides administrative support to the Executive Director and other staff to facilitate the ongoing success of FishWise. She is a management professional in the sustainability arena with the ability to create procedural systems from the ground up. Prior to FishWise, Brooke managed an independently owned natural food store in Aptos, CA, overseeing all operations. Also, Brooke has held positions in customer service at Netscape Inc., and human resources at SugarCRM in Silicon Valley, and beyond. She is a key contributor to FishWise’s ability to adeptly manage client needs, as she can rapidly identify and resolve challenges of all kinds by delivering practical and focused solutions.
Kristen Swehla, B.A., Intern
As Intern, Kristen Swehla provides support to all FishWise staff. Kristen received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) with a focus in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. During her tenure at UCSC she was an active participant in the organic food movement, working at Groundswell Farm in Santa Cruz and living and working at Pie Ranch, an educational non-profit farm in Pescadero. Her interest in natural history and conservation led her to the UCSC Natural History Museum of Collections, where she completed her senior project – an educational display of local birds of prey. After college, her love of education, conservation, and good food brought her to work for Geisha Sustainable Sushi, a FishWise restaurant partner, where she has become an advocate for sustainable seafood. Kristen is excited to use her interdisciplinary background in sustainable food systems to catalyze change!
Tobias Aguirre |
Mariah Boyle |
Meghan Frolli |
Victoria Galitzine |
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William Wall |
Elsie Tanadjaja |
Ashley Greenley |
Ethan Lucas |
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Scott Kennedy |
Brooke Towne |
Kristen Swehla |
Tobias Aguirre, MPIA, Executive Director
As Executive Director, Tobias sets the conservation vision and organizational strategy for FishWise. His work with retail industry executives, trade associations, and NGO leaders, seeks to build a collaborative approach to conservation that results in effective business and improved environmental performance. To that end, Tobias serves on many advisory bodies and committees, including the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s Environmental Stakeholder Committee, the Food Marketing Institute's Sustainable Seafood Committee Advisory Council, the Steering Committee of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, and Fair Trade USA’s Fisheries Advisory Council. Drawing from these diverse multi-stakeholder efforts, Tobias develops innovative solutions for FishWise business partners, while forging new ground in the complex world of seafood sustainability. He is also a frequent speaker at leading industry events, such as FMI's Sustainability Summit and the International Boston Seafood Show. Tobias holds degrees from Stanford University and UCSD’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, where he specialized in nonprofit management and business strategy and was named a Schoepflin Fellow for his work on sustainable fisheries.
Mariah Boyle, M.Sc., Traceability and IUU Project Director
As the Traceability and IUU Project Director, Mariah works to create tools that help FishWise partners, and the larger seafood industry, reduce and ultimately eliminate illegal seafood products from supply chains, while ensuring all seafood is traceable back to its origins. Mariah summarized the seafood traceability landscape in a white paper in 2012 and continues to work alongside the many stakeholders seeking to create viable solutions that allow for improvements on the water while safeguarding seafood businesses from fraud. Mariah has also organized workshops and participated in events focused on combating illegal fishing, serving as a coordinator within this network of stakeholders. Mariah’s background in science, business engagement, and supply chain logistics allow her to add a unique perspective to these conversations. Mariah has a Masters in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a Bachelor of Science from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is also an Assistant Specialist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, working with Dr. Marc Mangel in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Previously, she has worked in academia, government, and education, monitored west coast fish stocks at sea, and informed community-based MPAs in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Her published work focuses on shark conservation, stable isotope analysis, and trophic ecology of fishes.
Meghan Frolli, M.Sc., Project Director
As Project Director, Meghan oversees multiple FishWise partnerships and works closely with Project Mangers to meet partners’ needs and to successfully implement the FishWise program. During her tenure at FishWise, Meghan has developed an expertise in seafood certification schemes and aquaculture production, work that involves frequent site visits to aquaculture facilities and attendance at industry events. Meghan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Masters of Science degree in Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy from CSU Monterey Bay. Prior to FishWise, Meghan held employment as a marine science educator and aquarist for the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Meghan also worked as a state biologist for both the California and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife, where she conducted recreational fishing surveys within California and monitored rockfish populations for the network of Southern Oregon Marine Reserves. Through her background and employment history, Meghan brings a diverse and well-informed perspective on environmental science and policy as it pertains to the seafood industry.
Victoria Galitzine, B.Sc., Communications Project Manager
As Communications Project Manager, Victoria’s responsibilities include developing staff training and consumer outreach programs for FishWise partners as well as designing, writing, and updating FishWise materials with the latest scientific knowledge. She works on strategic communications for FishWise and its partners and assists in the development of sustainability assessments for various seafood species, both internally and via the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program. Victoria is also actively working to enhance communication within the local ocean conservation community in Santa Cruz via a bi-monthly event she spearheaded called ‘Blue Drinks’. Victoria graduated from the University of Wales, Swansea with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Marine Biology in 2006. Her final year thesis was focused on the changing feeding behavior of sea urchins in subtidal areas of Tenerife, Spain, likely as a response to the over-fishing of their predators. With experience running her university's Conservation Society and being a volunteer with The Clean Oceans Project, she has extensive knowledge of the issues facing the world's oceans and the research skills needed to develop market-based solutions that affect positive change.
William Wall, B.Tech. Aquaculture, Business Project Manager
As Business Project Manager, William provides ongoing support to all current FishWise partners, ensures all current members receive materials updates, monthly phone calls and regular audits and aids in consumer outreach through various forms of digital media. In 2007, William graduated from Flinders University in South Australia with a Bachelor of Technology in Aquaculture where he completed a capstone project on the comparative understanding of aquacultured vs. wild seafood amongst local consumers. More recently, William completed the MBT program at UC Berkeley with a concentration in Business Administration and Marketing. Having garnered a passion for marine environments and all that they offer from an early age, he has worked in a number of "hands-on" positions within the seafood supply chain over the last 9 years including jobs related to production, preparation and sales.
Elsie Tanadjaja, M.Sc., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Elsie provides support to the Managing Director and current business partners. Specializing in database management, Elsie is responsible for creating systems to monitor the sustainability performance of our partners. Being fluent in Indonesian, she is a great asset to engaging with fishery improvements projects in the Indo-Pacific region. Elsie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a minor in Asian American Studies from University of California Santa Barbara where she discovered her passion for the marine world. She holds a Masters degree from Moss Landing Marine Lab, looking at the potential effect of acidified ocean on the sand production of rhodoliths – free-living calcium carbonated seaweeds – and the rhodolith habitat that supports fishes and invertebrates. With research and environmental conservation experiences across the United States, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Mexico, Elsie integrates a multi-cultural perspective into her knowledge and understanding of human and ocean interactions.
Ashley Greenley, M.Sc., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Ashley provides support for existing FishWise partnerships, helps manage databases, and conducts product research with a particular focus on Latin American fisheries. Prior to joining FishWise, Ashley worked for Stanford University on a community-based project to restore commercially fished abalone populations in Baja California. Through this work in Mexico, Ashley established a strong relationship with the local fishing cooperative at Isla Natividad and gained valuable insight into seafood production logistics and challenges. Ashley obtained a B.S. in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, where she used acoustic telemetry to study the movement patterns of lingcod. During her graduate career, Ashley also worked with local commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and charter boat skippers on various collaborative research projects focused on nearshore fishes. Her experiences working with fishermen in California and Mexico have resulted in her passion to promote the preservation of marine resources, as well as the livelihoods that depend on them. With a strong foundation in marine science and a diversity of professional and research experiences, Ashley helps to develop environmentally responsible practices for the seafood industry.
Ethan Lucas, M.M.A., Project Manager
As a Project Manager, Ethan works closely with Bill to provide support for current FishWise business partners as well as tackle FishWise research and information needs. Ethan became involved in wild capture fisheries at a young age and later transitioned his focus towards marine conservation activities. Ethan holds a Bachelors of Science in Aquaculture & Fisheries Technology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s Degree in Marine Affairs (M.M.A.) from the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. During his graduate studies, Ethan utilized community-based coastal resource management experience gained as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines to inform the establishment of a large-scale, no-take marine protected area on the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef in Bohol, Philippines. Additional experience in a variety of marine related fields including outdoor marine education, NAUI scuba instruction, and marine policy development with NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program as a Knauss Fellow have contributed to Ethan’s strong interdisciplinary background that successfully integrates rigorous theoretical understanding with practical on-the-ground experience.
Scott Kennedy, B.A., Project Manager
As Project Manager, Scott works with Meghan, providing support for existing FishWise nationwide retailer partnerships as well as providing data management support. After earning a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a focus on Conservation from the University of California, Santa Cruz, he went on to work in abalone aquaculture for several years. As an abalone farmer, Scott gained insight into the relationships between producers, distributors, and retailers, as well as experience in the field of sustainable aquaculture. In addition to spawning and rearing young abalone larvae, processing abalone for market, and harvesting kelp, he managed the retail farm stand - enabling him to educate customers on the importance of sustainable seafood and aquaculture. He has also worked in retail seafood markets and restaurants, including El Pescador Fish Market and Grill in La Jolla, CA. Scott has been an avid fisherman, diver, and ocean enthusiast since a young age. Scott’s life long passions for fishing, marine conservation, and ecology, as well as his diverse work experiences, make him well equipped to implement positive change within the seafood industry.
Brooke Towne, B.A., Office Manager
As Office Manager, Brooke provides administrative support to the Executive Director and other staff to facilitate the ongoing success of FishWise. She is a management professional in the sustainability arena with the ability to create procedural systems from the ground up. Prior to FishWise, Brooke managed an independently owned natural food store in Aptos, CA, overseeing all operations. Also, Brooke has held positions in customer service at Netscape Inc., and human resources at SugarCRM in Silicon Valley, and beyond. She is a key contributor to FishWise’s ability to adeptly manage client needs, as she can rapidly identify and resolve challenges of all kinds by delivering practical and focused solutions.
Kristen Swehla, B.A., Intern
As Intern, Kristen Swehla provides support to all FishWise staff. Kristen received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) with a focus in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. During her tenure at UCSC she was an active participant in the organic food movement, working at Groundswell Farm in Santa Cruz and living and working at Pie Ranch, an educational non-profit farm in Pescadero. Her interest in natural history and conservation led her to the UCSC Natural History Museum of Collections, where she completed her senior project – an educational display of local birds of prey. After college, her love of education, conservation, and good food brought her to work for Geisha Sustainable Sushi, a FishWise restaurant partner, where she has become an advocate for sustainable seafood. Kristen is excited to use her interdisciplinary background in sustainable food systems to catalyze change!