STAFF

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.

Joan Eads, M.P.A.

Joan Eads has 25 years of nonprofit executive management experience. She has held numerous interim executive positions during her career and has earned a reputation for excellence in operations, fiscal management, organizational culture, fundraising, as well as staff and Board development. Joan is an advocate of servant leadership, equity, and justice. She has designed and applied organizational assessments of structures and culture for strengthening individual nonprofit organizations, as well as assisted in recruiting and onboarding of new Executive Directors. 

Prior to supporting nonprofits in interim positions, Joan started a national organization, L’Arche USA, as part of an international movement supporting folks with intellectual disabilities, as well as providing training and technical assistance to providers advocating for the rights of people with disabilities through the University of Maryland. Joan holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and is certified through the Interim Executive Academy of the Third Sector Company. 

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 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.

Barbara Lenssen, M.A.

As the Director of Human Resources, Barbara brings nearly 20 years of people and cultural experience within the high tech, advertising, and non-profit sectors. She plays a critical role in talent management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and recruitment. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts in World Languages and Cultures, with an emphasis in Japanese. She also earned a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

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

As FishWise Traceability Division Director, 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.

Kate O’Rourke, M.U.R.P.

As the Director of Operations, Kate brings 16 years of global operations and financial management experience to FishWise. Kate plays a critical role in the refinement, design, and integration of organization-wide, cross-division systems and processes to ensure alignment, increase operational efficiency, and maintain the organization’s financial strength. She earned her B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her MURP from Virginia Tech.

Sarah Caldwell (Calhoun), M.S.

As Project Director, Sarah is responsible for planning and executing traceability and counter-illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing research projects for FishWise business partners, with a particular emphasis on tuna supply chains. Sarah brings with her 10 years of fisheries experience – from the freshwater ecosystems of Lake Tahoe to small-scale fisheries management in Peru. Her background in fisheries social science makes Sarah uniquely equipped to tackle complex supply chain problems using a collaborative, and compassionate, human-centered approach. 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 conducted research 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 lasting relationships in the seafood industry and collaborate on sustainable seafood solutions for a healthier, resilient ocean.

Richard Castillo, M.A.

As the SALT Project Manager, Richard supports seafood traceability efforts in Latin American and Caribbean regions. Richard is originally from Costa Rica, where he studied Law at the University of Costa Rica. He later moved to Monterey, California, to study his Masters in International Environmental Policy (IEP) at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Richard has worked with small-scale fisheries in Costa Rica and the Caribbean and has conducted research on marine governance, illegal fishing, and the application of area-based management tools on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Outside of work, Richard enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, scuba diving, and walking his dog.

Lindsay Jennings, M.P.S.

As Senior 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.

Hanae Matsui, B.S.

As the SALT senior project manager, Hanae supports the team’s operations and communications efforts. Growing up in both Japan and the U.S., she focused her career on bridging the seafood industry’s cultural differences. Before joining FishWise, Hanae worked at Seafood Legacy, a Tokyo-based sustainable seafood consultancy, where she led the company’s communication strategy and capacity development. She also developed many toolkits for the Japanese market by applying lessons learned from the U.S. and EU sustainable seafood movement. Hanae holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Outside work, Hanae is an advocate for dog rescue. She works with local rescue groups and has fostered many dogs with special needs.

Nina Rosen, M.A.S.

As Project Manager, Nina provides support for the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT) and Traceability Division. Nina’s work connects the efforts of the SALT project – a global alliance to share seafood traceability knowledge – to those of the Traceability Division. She focuses on engaging stakeholders throughout the supply chain to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) catch from entering the market by sharing traceability solutions and guidelines. Prior to joining FishWise, Nina worked at the intersections of science communication, fisheries, and research coordination. She has experience working with small-scale fishers during her past research with the Gulf of California Marine Program in order to understand how co-management strategies provide structure to sustain marine resources and livelihoods. Nina holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from Humboldt State University, a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and is an AAUS scientific diver. Nina’s interdisciplinary background gained through academic and professional experiences allow her to view seafood security through an environmental, economic, and social lens.

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.

Alyssa Withrow, MENV

As Project Manager, Alyssa supports the Traceability Division through research, development, and execution of work plans on traceability and prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Her work with global experts and partners allows for the creation and sharing of novel traceability and counter-IUU fishing solutions for the seafood industry. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University and a Masters of the Environment degree specializing in environmental and natural resource policy from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her previous research includes marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, Tanzanian marine environments with interviews and observations about illegal fishing in the region, and the nexus of IUU fishing and U.S. national security. Alyssa brings demonstrated experience in ocean conservation research, project management, and public engagement with diverse communities. She takes a holistic approach to environmental issues and shares a deep commitment to enhancing ocean resilience through bolstering seafood sustainability.

Nahla Achi, M.A.

As Senior Project Manager, Nahla researches and develops tools to promote labor and human rights in the seafood sector. Nahla works with the Social Responsibility team and industry partners to improve business practices and advance supply chain ethics. Before joining FishWise, Nahla worked at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, researching social responsibility projects in tuna supply chains and marine resource conflict patterns. Her interest in human rights started while studying International Relations at Stanford University. She focused her Human Rights Capstone on understanding how different industries with complex supply chains have addressed labor issues. She pursued an M.A. in Earth Systems to explore this intersection and equip herself to work in the seafood space, where environmental sustainability and social responsibility are often interlinked. Nahla has always been inspired by the ocean and worked as a dive instructor for multiple years, seeking to share her love of the underwater world with others. She is also passionate about traveling, listening to people’s stories, climbing mountains, and has loved discovering California’s coast through surfing.

Amy McGann, M.A., J.D.

As Project Director, Amy works to advance human rights and labor rights in global seafood supply chains. Prior to joining FishWise, Amy worked at the U.S. State Department where she advanced labor rights and anti-trafficking efforts in Asia and the Middle East, and worked to improve conditions for labor migrants with a focus on responsible recruitment. She completed a Presidential Management Fellowship rotation at U.S Embassy Bangkok, engaging on labor rights in the seafood industry. After leaving the State Department, Amy worked as a consultant on labor rights projects, including for USAID and the International Labor Organization. Amy earned a B.A. in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. in Philosophy from UCLA, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Garrett Okrasinski, M.A.

As Senior Project Manager, Garrett researches and develops tools for the industry to improve supply chain ethics. Garrett works with the Social Responsibility team and industry partners to support the continued improvements, and drive engagement with the RISE platform. She has a diverse  background, but most recently was working in Corporate Social Responsibility for Starbucks Coffee Corporation and Nordstrom Inc. Garrett focuses her work on how to improve business practices to support workers throughout the supply chain. Her interest in human rights started at a young age from passionate high school teachers who came from the corporate world. From there, Garrett earned her undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of San Francisco with a focus in peace and conflict. After working in global health and social entrepreneurship, she earned her master’s in International Studies from the University of Washington where she focused on resource security. Garrett has always been interested in the ocean and seeks opportunities to surround herself by water. She is an avid sailor, white water rafter, swimmer, and recreational fisher and harvester.

Annas Shaker, M.A.

As Project Director, Annas promotes international labor standards and decent work in global seafood supply chains. Prior to joining FishWise, Annas was the International Labour Organization (ILO) representative in Kuwait, where he worked with government entities, trade unions and chambers of commerce on ILO’s projects on labor migration, freedom of association, ethical recruitment and workers’ access to justice. Prior to the ILO, Annas was a research fellow at Migrant Rights where he monitored and analyzed issues of trafficking and forced labor among vulnerable groups in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including construction and agricultural workers and fishers. Annas has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering form North Carolina State University and an M.A. in Global Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kelley K. Bell

As Senior Project Director within the Business Engagement Division, Kelley leads strategic partnerships with companies and other relevant stakeholders to advance the adoption of responsible business practices in seafood. She is also working to expand the FishWise portfolio of social responsibility services. 

Prior to joining FishWise, Kelley served as Global Vice President of Social and Environmental Impact at Driscoll’s. She partnered with business leaders to integrate responsible practices and purpose into core operations. During Kelley’s 14 years in Agriculture, she established Driscoll’s charitable and community impact programs, award-winning labor standards, and collaborative environmental efforts. She also founded the Pajaro Valley Community Water Dialogue, a multi-stakeholder group working to balance the local aquifer in a water-constrained environment. The efforts of Kelley and her team resulted in long-term shifts in social and environmental practices in the produce industry and improved conditions for thousands of farm workers. In her free time, she serves on the board of the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County.

Michelle Beritzhoff-Law, M.S.

As a Senior Project Director, Michelle leads our partnership with Albertsons Companies (2200+ stores nationwide), which covers fresh and frozen, sushi, and shelf-stable seafood. Michelle works to advance environmental, social, and traceability improvements in seafood supply chains through FishWise’s partnerships. Prior to FishWise, Michelle worked for MRAG Americas as an MSC CoC auditor and for New Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry for Primary Industries, within their respective fisheries science and fisheries management teams. Michelle has a B.S. in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara and an M.S. in Marine Science from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Jack Cheney, M.M.A.

Jack works within the Business Engagement Division helping our partners meet their sustainable seafood sourcing goals by using the best available science and his experience from the seafood industry. 

Before joining FishWise, Jack worked at various points in the seafood supply chain: buyer and sales representative for Wild Edibles Inc., director of national sales development at Sea to Table, and most recently sourcing director at Real Good Fish. His passion for seafood stems from a love of food and his foodservice industry experience as a waiter and line-cook during and after college.

Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. At UW he met Dr. Ray Hilborn and helped develop the fisheries science blog SustainableFisheries-UW.org.

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.

An Nguyen, B.A.

As Project Manager, An leverages her background in environmental policy, research, and communications to FishWise’s business partnerships. She also works cross-functionally to provide support to FishWise’s Social Responsibility division. Prior to joining FishWise, An was a Coastal Program Analyst at the California Coastal Commission, working to protect natural resources and public beach access. Her interests in environmental sustainability and social responsibility stem from her research fellowship with the University of California Carbon Neutrality Initiative, where she identified strategies to increase resilience to future climate impacts. She also serves as the Director of Content and Research at Climate Action LAb, a digital environmental justice platform that aims to inform and empower young people to take local climate action. An holds a Bachelors in Environmental Studies with minors in Spatial Studies and Art & Technology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Erin Taylor, B.A.

As Senior Project Director, Erin works across FishWise’s divisions to co-develop and execute innovative and collaborative work streams with partners and external collaborators. Erin has led partnerships that empower companies to advance their sustainability goals and catalyze supply chain improvements, with experience spanning retail, hospitality, and mid-supply chain audiences (including Albertsons Companies, Iberostar Group, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Sea Pact, and others). Erin spearheaded the development of FishWise’s latest three-year strategy and associated operational planning framework, which solidified FishWise’s holistic approach to sustainability and streamlined the organization’s work on direct supply chain engagement, collective industry engagement, and governance reform. Recently, Erin joined the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability team to support the management of staff, grantees, and technical work, while also providing overall project leadership.

Prior to FishWise, Erin was a wild fisheries specialist for the New England Aquarium, where she advised large companies on a diverse array of seafood issues, including traceability, policy, certifications, fisheries improvement, and environmental risks, particularly for Alaskan and Russian fisheries. She graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Policy and a minor in Business Administration and Management.

Jessie Zupcic, M.S.

In her role as Project Director, Jessie runs our partnership with Hy-Vee, oversees Albertsons Companies’ Responsible Sushi Program, and sits on the FishWise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Prior to joining FishWise, Jessie attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where she earned 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 FishWise team member.

Jodie King, B.S.

As Administrative Services 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.

Chris Young, B.S.

As Senior Project Manager in the Data and Technology Division, Chris is helping FishWise meet its goals by developing digital data tools with analytic engines. Chris graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire where he worked in the Interoperability Lab and the Research Computing Center supporting projects in the Earth, Oceans, and Space department. He went on to work for internet companies Cisco and Cabletron Systems to develop embedded software solutions. Outside of work, Chris is a certified advanced diver and enjoys exploring the waters in Monterey Bay as well as volunteering in California State Parks.

Adzan Adlan, M.S.

Adzan Adlan is supporting FishWise through compiling and assessing data. Before joining FishWise – inspired by interests in data systems and analytics – Adzan attended Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology in the Orkney Islands, where he earned a M.S. in marine data science. For his master’s thesis, he analyzed spatial shifts in the regional abundance of nine demersal fish species within the greater North Sea and Celtic Seas, and produced predictive models that observed the impacts of climate change. Adzan earned a B.A. in environmental studies & biology at UC Santa Cruz, where he participated in fisheries research projects at both the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center and the Palkovacs Lab.

Born in central California, Adzan spent his formative years living between southern California and his homeland Malaysia, where his interest in fish and seafood sustainability grew early on. It was on these trips that he was exposed to various fish species sold in local fish markets, local artisanal fisheries, small-scale aquaculture, and coastal conservation.

Dan Baron, M.S.

As Senior Project Director, Data & Technology, 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.

Lana Brandt, B.A.

As Communications Manager, Lana leads engagement strategies and content creation to propel FishWise’s social and conservation goals forward. With 15 years of non-profit experience in the seafood community, Lana has worked on projects ranging from traceability to business and chef engagement. Her passion is sparked when the power of storytelling connects and mobilizes people to build a more just and sustainable world. Lana has a Bachelor of Arts with an environmental focus from the University of British Columbia.