STAFF

Tobias Aguirre, M.I.A.

Tobias Aguirre is a thought-leader in sustainable seafood known for bringing diverse stakeholders into collaborative relationships in order to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As CEO, he sets the conservation vision and organizational strategy for FishWise.

Through his work with seafood industry executives, trade associations, foundations, government, and NGO leaders, Tobias builds a collaborative approach to conservation, propelling the sustainable seafood movement forward. To that end, Tobias serves on many advisory bodies, including the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s Environmental Stakeholder Committee, the Food Marketing Institute’s Sustainable Seafood Committee Advisory Council, the Advisory Board of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, the Seafood Summit Advisory Board, and Fair Trade USA’s Fisheries Advisory Council. Drawing from these diverse multi-stakeholder efforts, Tobias charts new national and global strategies, develops innovative solutions for FishWise business partners, and forges new ground in the complex world of seafood sustainability.

Tobias frequently speaks at leading industry events, hosts panels with diverse topics and speakers, and contributes to many strategic initiatives that aim to scale environmental sustainability and social responsibility globally. He works towards an industry that makes a significant contribution to the food needs of a growing population, while supporting biodiverse, productive, and resilient marine and freshwater ecosystems.Tobias has demonstrated that the complexities of the seafood industry don’t have to preclude effective goal-setting and on-the-ground progress.

When Tobias took on his leadership role in 2005, FishWise was working with 10 retail stores, all in Northern California. Through this early work, Tobias led his team to build a scalable model of business engagement – one that is iterative, adaptive, informed by new ecological and social science research, and honed by the needs of business. He has propelled FishWise to one of the world’s foremost sustainable seafood organizations. Now, FishWise is partnered with Albertsons Companies (2300+ stores), Target (1900+ stores), Hy-Vee (240+ stores), and many other regional retailers and suppliers throughout the United States, with some of the most ambitious commitments in the industry. He has positioned FishWise as a trusted guide that businesses seek out for expertise and a proven track record of success. Ultimately, Tobias works to empower the seafood industry to become champions for the oceans and the people that depend upon them.

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. He has been honored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a Seafood Watch Hero and was awarded the Spirit of the Alliance Award by the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions.

Each day, Tobias is inspired by a call to action from Paul Hawken: “You are Brilliant, and the Earth is hiring.”

Ashley Greenley, M.S.

Ashley leads FishWise’s business engagement team, overseeing partnerships with the Albertsons Companies (2200+ stores), Target Corporation (1900+ stores), Hy-Vee (240+ stores), New Seasons Market (20+ stores), New Leaf Community Markets (6 stores), and 13 other independent retail chains. Ashley and her team work closely with FishWise’s retail partners to establish comprehensive sustainable seafood programs with credible environmental, social, and traceability policies. Through these efforts, FishWise’s partners have become industry leaders, driving improvements in fisheries, aquaculture, and supply chain accountability. Collaborating with NGOs and the seafood industry, Ashley brings a pragmatic approach to global seafood sustainability issues. With this perspective, Ashley serves on the Food Marketing Institute’s Seafood Strategy Advisory Committee. Prior to FishWise, Ashley was a field researcher for Stanford University, where she worked closely with fishing communities in Baja California, Mexico. Ashley holds a Masters in Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and obtained a B.S. in aquatic biology from UC Santa Barbara. Her published work focuses on marine protected areas, commercial abalone fisheries, acoustic tracking of marine fishes, and research applicable to conservation and fisheries management.

Lara Kilpatrick, B.A.

In her role, Lara is charged with advancing FishWise’s mission through nurturing relationships with individuals and institutions who share our vision, and integrating marketing and communications with fund development strategy. Prior to joining FishWise, she managed California CASA Association’s fund development and marketing activities and served for nine years as advancement director for her alma mater, Mount Madonna School in Watsonville, CA. With a B.A. in English from UC Santa Cruz, Lara has a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to creating change for the good of our planet.

Elsie Tanadjaja, M.S.

As Tuna and Data Director, Elsie leads the work with tuna and with data systems. Collaborating with NGOs and the seafood industry, Elsie monitors global tuna issues and develops and implements strategies for FishWise business partners to improve tuna conservation in their supply chains. With the data team, Elsie designs systems to monitor the sustainability performance of our partners. Elsie also facilitates data collaboration with NGOs to streamline processes and enable a wider use of data to support broader sustainability goals and metrics. Being fluent in Indonesian, she is also 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. She holds a master’s degree in marine science from Moss Landing Marine Lab where she did research focused on ocean acidification. 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.

Brooke Towne, B.A.

As Controller and Human Resources Director, Brooke is responsible for leading, implementing and delivering human resources programs and services that support and sustain a high performance culture, providing strategic, operational, and administrative expertise, in addition to providing financial oversight and assisting executive management with financial strategies and policies supporting business objectives and the FishWise mission. Prior to FishWise, Brooke managed an independently owned natural food store in Aptos, CA, overseeing all operations, and held positions in customer service at Netscape Inc., and human resources at SugarCRM in Silicon Valley. She is a key contributor to FishWise’s ability to adeptly manage client needs, rapidly identifying and resolving challenges of all kinds by developing and implementing practical and focused solutions.

Aurora Alifano, M.S.

As Division Director, Aurora leads multi-stakeholder initiatives to improve business practices that protect human and labor rights within the seafood industry. Her cross-sector engagement strategy brings human rights, labor, and trafficking experts into the world of seafood sustainability. Uniting expertise from representatives of companies, governments, and civil society, this work charts a new course for a truly responsible seafood industry via collaboration, development of new tools, and promotion of best practices. Aurora is a frequent speaker at industry events, presenting North American NGO and industry perspectives on illegal fishing and human rights issues. Her work also integrates social responsibility into seafood sourcing recommendations and traceability improvements, providing awareness and guidance to FishWise partners. Aurora’s interest in human rights began while treating the ill and injured as an Emergency Medical Technician in Monterey County. Aurora earned a master’s degree in marine science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from University of California, Santa Cruz. Aurora also managed international partnerships and implemented large-scale restoration projects to protect native island species in The Bahamas, the Galapagos, and Palau. She currently volunteers as a Diver Medical Technician for the Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber.

Jenny Barker, M.P.A

As the Chief of Party of SALT, Jenny leads the public-private partnership with USAID, Walton Family, Packard, and Moore Foundations. With 17 years’ experience in the public and private sector managing international programs, Jenny was the Director of the USAID-funded Global FISH Alliance (G-FISH) from 2009-2014 bringing diverse stakeholders together to identify solutions for better fisheries management in the developing world.   Jenny has implemented fisheries management programs in Honduras, Mozambique, and Cambodia.  With a Masters in Public Administration from George Washington University, Jenny has implemented international health, education, and environment projects in 10 countries globally. Jenny is a systems thinker who focuses on participatory processes to promote social change on a large scale.

Sara Lewis, M.A., M.E.S.

As a Senior Project Director within the FishWise Traceability Division, Sara leads work developing resources, and assessing traceability and anti-IUU best practices aimed at ridding seafood supply chains of illegally caught and mislabeled seafood products. She directs projects relating to the traceability of shelf stable tuna supply chains, and collaborates with the FishWise Business Engagement Division to develop traceability policies and recommendations for FishWise partner companies. Sara also leads FishWise’s work relating to key policies such as the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, as well as publishing papers on traceability and social responsibility in seafood. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and two masters degrees in environmental studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and the University of California, Santa Cruz respectively. Her academic and professional pursuits have provided Sara with ample opportunity to work with members of government, the conservation community, and the seafood industry internationally, giving her a diverse and unique perspective on marine sustainability issues globally.

Amy West, M.Sc.

As Project Director, Amy supports SALT— the public-private partnership with USAID, and the Walton Family, Packard, and Moore Foundations— that aims to improve fisheries management and traceability in the seafood supply. She helps shape the new initiative through outreach and communication and convening and building a global network of traceability and illegal fishing experts. Her 20 years as a marine scientist encompass a diverse array of marine and aquatic endeavors around the globe. Past fisheries projects include working with NMFS as an Alaskan observer, the International Pacific Halibut Commission as a biologist, NOAA as a salmon research tech, and Peace Corps as an aquaculture agent. She holds an MSc in Marine Science from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and a BS in Marine Biology from the University of the Virgin Islands, as well as a Science Communication degree from UC Santa Cruz. She recently worked for five years as a science communicator, and as an independent science and multimedia journalist focused heavily on ocean conservation and fisheries stories. Amy’s wide-ranging project experience, passion for ocean stewardship, and her ability to connect to diverse people and communicate their stories, empower her to collaborate on innovative solutions for legal and sustainable seafood.

Lindsay Jennings, M.P.S.

As Project Director, Lindsay supports the Traceability Division by developing tools to improve seafood traceability, eliminate illegally harvested products from supply chains, and facilitate discussions between key players to find solutions to these global challenges. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from Eckerd College, Lindsay worked for the state of Florida researching harmful algal blooms in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. She received her Masters of Professional Science degree with a concentration in marine conservation from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Marine Affairs and Policy. While there, she conducted field work tagging sharks with UM’s Shark Research and Conservation Program. Lindsay also was a Marine Conservation Institute Ocean Policy Fellow, during which time she worked to pass illegal fishing legislation through Congress. Her ability to marry science, policy, and effective communication makes Lindsay well prepared for the challenges that come with ensuring a more sustainable future for our oceans.

Traci Linder, M.S.

As Project Director, Traci works within the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT), a global alliance for knowledge exchange and action to promote legal and sustainable fisheries through improved transparency in seafood supply chains. Her work within this alliance includes leading Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for the project; developing resources for a diverse range of stakeholders; and representing SALT through speaking engagements at related international events. Traci holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of California San Diego, and a Master of Science in biology from the University of California San Diego / Scripps Institution of Oceanography. With over 10 years of experience, Traci has worked on projects spanning from mariculture studies in Costa Rica to working on large-scale fisheries conservation projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. When not in the field, Traci has developed expertise in communications, business leadership, and collaboration, and brings these skills into her mission of ocean conservation.

Sarah Caldwell (Calhoun), M.S.

As Project Manager, Sarah provides support for partnerships as part of the Traceability Division. She is responsible for planning and executing research for traceability and counter-IUU projects, with particular emphasis on shelf-stable tuna supply chains. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master of Science in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University where she completed her thesis on how changes in fisheries policy affect communities of interest. Prior to joining FishWise, Sarah engaged with a variety of ocean stakeholders across sectors equipping her with the interdisciplinary tools necessary to cultivate new relationships in the seafood industry and collaborate on sustainable seafood solutions.

Brynn O’Donnell, M.S.

As Project Manager, Brynn provides support for the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT), a global alliance for knowledge exchange and action to promote legal and sustainable fisheries through improved transparency in seafood supply chains. Her work supports the development of knowledge management tools and approaches that enhance program implementation and expand upon experience in the traceability field. Brynn earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from New York University, and a Master of Science in biology from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining FishWise, Brynn worked as an aquatic ecosystem scientist and as a program manager at environmental nonprofits. She is an advocate for science accessibility, and has extensive multi-media communications experience. Her interdisciplinary skills allow for novel integration of science, communications, and project management, and she aims to combine these skills to help foster a more sustainable relationship with our oceans.

Hannah Francis, B.A.

As Project Assistant, Hannah supports SALT – the public-private partnership with USAID, Walton Family, Packard, and Moore Foundations – that aims to improve fisheries management and traceability in the seafood supply chain. She provides SALT with administrative support including event planning, communications, and knowledge management. Prior to joining FishWise, Hannah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from University of California Santa Cruz. Since graduating, she has enjoyed administering a variety of environmental sustainability programs including The Otter Project’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Watch, along with Green Business, waste reduction, and recycling programs for the County of San Benito. Hannah continues to combine her passion for promoting sustainability with her administrative skills for the FishWise team.

Jen Cole, M.S.

As Project Director, Jen researches and develops initiatives to improve business practices that protect human and labor rights within the seafood industry. Jen attended Stanford University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in biology, with focuses on marine ecology and social-ecological systems, respectively. Jen’s interest in ocean conservation stems from her childhood in Guam where she would snorkel and fish with her family. Her interest in sustainable fishing grew when she researched the social-ecological systems of small-scale wetfish fisheries in the Monterey Bay with the Center for Ocean Solutions. Jen also worked as an analyst at the Center for Effective Philanthropy where she advised foundations on how to maximize the effectiveness of their giving and relationships with grantees. Jen’s academic experience in marine conservation and professional role working with foundations have given her an interdisciplinary perspective to creating change in the field of conservation. She brings this cross-sector and collaborative focus to her work with human rights and sustainability in the seafood industry.

Cora Sorenson, M.B.A., M.P.P.

As Project Director, Cora develops guidance to support the seafood industry’s efforts to address human and labor rights issues in the seafood supply chain. Cora holds an MBA and Masters of Public Policy with a focus in ocean conservation from Mills College, as well as a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University. Prior to joining the team at FishWise, Cora interned with various conservation organizations including Conservation International, Hawaii, and Oceana’s California program, where she helped to develop sustainable fishing gear plans, as well as understand policy, cultural and social landscapes impacting community adoption of a recreational fishing license system in Hawaii. Cora has a long-standing commitment to addressing social well-being issues for populations and communities impacted by poverty, and brings a people-centered lens to her work in sustainable fishing.

Nathan Zetterberg, M.A.M.

As Senior Project Manager, Nathan researches and develops initiatives to improve business practices that protect human and labor rights within the seafood sector. Nathan was instrumental in the development of the RISE platform and other industry-focused reports, tools, and resources. Nathan is a frequent speaker at industry events, often presenting on human and labor rights issues and the solutions available to companies to help advance social responsibility. Nathan’s interest in human rights began while working at a social enterprise that supported victims of the Rwandan genocide, and his love for the water and marine conservation began at an early age, swimming and fishing in the Puget Sound in Washington State. Prior to joining FishWise, Nathan worked for three years at Nordstrom, Inc. on the corporate social responsibility team, where he engaged with suppliers around the world to ensure human rights and sustainability standards were upheld. Nathan has a Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies and Master of Arts in Social and Sustainable Business Management from Seattle Pacific University. Nathan’s academic and professional experience make him uniquely equipped to support FishWise in facing the challenges of sustainability and social responsibility in the seafood sector.

Michelle Beritzhoff-Law, M.S.

As a Project Director, Michelle works with FishWise’s retail partners to develop and implement sustainable seafood programs in line with the Common Vision for Seafood Solutions. Prior to FishWise, Michelle worked for MRAG Americas auditing companies against the MSC Chain of Custody and ISSF ProActive Vessel Register requirements. She also worked for New Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry for Primary Industries, within their respective fisheries science and fisheries management teams. Michelle has a BS in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara and an MS in Marine Science from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Scott Kennedy, B.A.

As Project Director, Scott works closely with FishWise retail and distributor partners on program implementation, sourcing support, and data collection. He is closely involved with the Albertsons Companies, Inc partnership, and also leads grant funding programs in fisheries and aquaculture improvement for Santa Monica Seafood and Sea Pact. After earning a BA in environmental studies with a focus on conservation from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Scott went on to work in abalone aquaculture for several years gaining insight into the dynamics of relationships between producers, distributors, and retailers, as well as experience in the field of sustainable aquaculture. He has also worked in retail seafood markets and restaurants, providing valuable experience at the end point of the seafood supply chain. Scott has been an avid fisherman, diver, and ocean enthusiast since a young age. His life long passions for the outdoors, marine conservation, and ecology, as well as his diverse work experience, make him well equipped to implement positive change within the seafood industry.

Ethan Y. Lucas, M.M.A.

As Project Director, Ethan leads the Sea Delight distributor partnership and tackles FishWise research needs for fishery improvement projects (FIPs). Ethan became involved in wild capture fisheries at a young age on Cape Cod and later transitioned his focus towards marine conservation. Ethan holds a Bachelor of Science in aquaculture and fisheries technology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Marine Affairs from the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. During graduate school Ethan used experience in community-based coastal resource management gained as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines to help establish a large-scale, no-take marine protected area on Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef in Bohol, Philippines. Additional experience in marine science education, NAUI scuba instruction, and marine policy development with NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow have contributed to Ethan’s strong interdisciplinary background that integrates rigorous theoretical understanding with practical on-the-ground experience.

Erin Taylor, B.A.

As Project Director, Erin works closely with the Distributor Division Director to research, co-develop, and execute innovative and collaborative workstreams with seafood distributors. Erin is responsible for providing support to both new and existing partnerships that aim to enable these critically important mid-supply chain actors to become leaders. She graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Policy and a minor concentration in Business Administration and Management. Before joining the FishWise team, Erin was a wild fisheries specialist for the New England Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Program, where she advised large companies on a diverse array of seafood sustainability issues, including traceability, policy, certifications, fisheries improvement, and environmental risks, particularly for Alaskan and Russian fisheries. Erin’s multidisciplinary background in science, policy, and business and experience forming cooperative relationships with seafood industry members have given her the tools needed to tackle seafood sustainability’s multifaceted challenges.

Jessie Zupcic, M.S.

In her role as Senior Project Manager, Jessie provides general support for the Albertsons Companies partnership and oversees their Responsible Sushi Program. Prior to joining FishWise, Jessie attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and Master of Science in ocean sciences. While at UC Santa Cruz, Jessie conducted field and lab research on a wide variety of ocean inhabitants ranging from 1,000-pound northern elephant seals to microscopic plankton. For her Master’s thesis, she analyzed the yearly bands of sperm whale teeth, which act as time capsules recording chemical signals of habitat and food throughout each whale’s lifetime. Her strong background in analytical science and keen eye for detail make Jessie a valued addition to the FishWise team.

Jodie King, B.S.

As Office Manager, Jodie is responsible for supporting and facilitating the day-to-day operations while performing a wide range of administrative and office support duties. Prior to FishWise, Jodie managed and coordinated a multitude of events, overseeing all operational needs, as well as holding account management and customer service positions within the Telecommunications and Hospitality industries. Jodie received her Bachelor of Science degree from CSU Sacramento, and credits living on both the west and east coast to her understanding of the importance of seafood sustainability. With her interpersonal and organizational skills and appreciation for the ocean, Jodie is well-suited to support FishWise and its team.

Dan Baron, M.S.

As Data Project Director, Dan oversees data collection, analysis, and reporting for our seafood consultancy partners. Dan also manages major IT initiatives at FishWise, including data-oriented online platforms, customer relationship management (CRM), and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. Before joining FishWise, Dan was CEO of NatureFootage, a comprehensive niche collection of nature stock footage from 500+ leading cinematographers worldwide. Dan gained expertise in the development of online platforms, cloud computing, machine learning, and the design and management of database-driven solutions to streamline technology and business workflows. Dan has extensive experience in marine science. As an environmental consultant for over 5 years, Dan specialized in wetland restoration around San Francisco Bay. Dan has a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Marine Biology from California State University East Bay, including research and coursework at Moss Landing Marine Lab and the Romberg Tiburon Marine Lab. He is a certified Scientific Diver with UC Berkeley and conducted research abroad, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and French Polynesia. Dan’s unique combination of science and technology expertise greatly benefits FishWise, as a leader in innovative solutions for seafood sustainability.

Leslie Howitt, M.Res.

As Data Senior Project Manager, Leslie works with the rest of the data team to build and maintain the data systems at FishWise. She also works with the other FishWise teams to understand and implement their data needs. Leslie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in ecology and evolution biology from Brown University, and then went on to earn a Master of Research in marine biology from Plymouth University in England. Before joining the FishWise team, Leslie worked at Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, where she collaborated with their outreach and science teams on various data projects. Leslie brings a passion for marine science, a background in scientific research, and experience working in the sustainable seafood community to her work at FishWise.