Seaside Sustainability Board

  • Eric Magers is the Founder and Executive Director of Seaside Sustainability, a nationally recognized nonprofit advancing innovative solutions to plastic pollution, marine debris, and climate education. A lifelong educator and award-winning climate leader, he has been honored at the White House and recognized as Climate Educator of the Year for his pioneering work at the…

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  • Katherine Quach has been engaged with Seaside Sustainability since 2021, beginning as an intern and steadily advancing to the roles of advisor and board member. Her journey within the organization reflects her strong commitment to sustainability, youth leadership, and community engagement. Katherine has contributed to multiple initiatives during her time at Seaside, supporting both program…

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  • Parsa Zamani Farahani is a naturalized Iranian-American raised in Los Angeles and now based in San Francisco. He earned his B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Sustainability from California State University, Northridge, and is currently pursuing a Masterโ€™s degree in International Relations at San Francisco State University. At Seaside Sustainability, Parsa served as…

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  • Larry Lawrence Pihl serves as the Board Chair of Seaside Sustainability, leading with the conviction that civic engagement and environmental protection are inseparably linked. Throughout his career, he has been a tireless advocate for policies that expand renewable energy, promote equity in environmental decision-making, and strengthen both the blue and green economies. At Seaside, Larry…

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  • Alexandra Popusoi is honored to serve on the Board of Directors this year. A high school junior, she is passionate about computer science, environmental issues, and creating sustainable solutions to protect the planet. Alexandra first joined Seaside Sustainability as a fellow, serving for eight months while helping lead the website and technology intern team. Inspired…

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Seaside Sustainability Staff

  • Amalia Price, Seaside Sustainabilityโ€™s Business Operations Fellow, first joined the organization as an intern in 2024 and quickly found herself inspired by its passionate mission and community. A native of Boylston, Massachusetts, Amalia balances her academic and professional pursuits with hobbies like reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends. Looking ahead, she plans…

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  • With over nine years of professional experience, Anower has established a strong career in accounting and bookkeeping for organizations around the world. He earned his MBA in Accounting Information Systems from Jagannath University, Dhaka, and is currently advancing his expertise through a second Masterโ€™s in Economics and Business Analytics at JKU, Austria. Beyond his technical…

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  • As a Sustainability Consulting Fellow at Seaside Sustainability, Apoorva Rai draws on her background in biotechnology, education, and marketing to create solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. Her professional journey includes roles as a Biology Teacher, Middle School Coordinator, and Marketing Manager, each of which sharpened her leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. Driven by a…

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  • August is a junior at Anna Maria College majoring in Business and competing as a Division III hockey player. Growing up in Jackson, Wyoming, surrounded by mountains and wildlife, instilled in August a deep appreciation for nature and a commitment to caring for the places we call home. This background sparked an interest in sustainability…

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  • Ayokunmi is a graduate student in Management Information Systems at Baylor University and a Web & Technology Advisor at Seaside Sustainability. He brings wealth of experience in product management, data analytics, and digital systems, with a background spanning fintech, insurance, and technology driven organizations in both Nigeria and the United States.

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  • Originally from western New York, Codee Spinner is a Fellow in the Grant Writing department at Seaside. She earned a bachelorโ€™s degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and an MA and PhD in Musicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to working with Seaside, Codee worked as a middle and high school band director…

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  • Hi! Iโ€™m Diana. Iโ€™m originally from Mexico and now call Toronto home. I recently finished a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resources Management and Iโ€™m getting ready to start my Masterโ€™s degree soon. HR is my passion, I love helping people feel welcome, supported, and excited about where they work, as well as helping organizations thrive…

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  • Constance Girard is Seaside Sustainabilityโ€™s Youth Executive Leader & Development Director, where she has driven some of the nonprofitโ€™s most ambitious initiatives. She spearheaded the Clean & Green Boaters Guide, the Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, and municipal plastics legislation campaigns, while also strengthening Seasideโ€™s nationally recognized youth internship and volunteer program. Constance has led groundbreaking…

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  • Hayley grew up in coastal Southeastern Connecticut her whole life. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Environmental Studies, and is looking to pursue a Master’s in Marine Conservation. Before joining the Board, Hayley worked as a college admissions counselor, kids camp director, and Climate Action Department Manager & Newsletter Writer…

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  • Jaime Lucas is a research scientist and sustainability advisor committed to advancing environmental protection and community health. At the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), she works in the Health, Safety, and Medicine Division, where she researches occupational and environmental exposures and develops collaborative projects to protect fire fighters across the U.S. and Canada. Jaime…

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  • Janet Groat has spent more than 25 years as a policy advocate, organizer, communicator, and nonprofit leader. Most recently, she served as Organizing Manager at Mothers Out Front in Massachusetts (2017โ€“2024), where she trained and coached hundreds of volunteers to design and lead successful advocacy campaigns. She has also worked with the Granite State Organizing…

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  • Jeevitha earned her Masterโ€™s in Business Administration in India and brings her business expertise and enthusiasm for learning to the Web and Tech team at Seaside Sustainability. Since joining, she has enjoyed collaborating with a dedicated group of colleagues and contributing to projects that advance Seasideโ€™s mission of protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. Her…

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  • John A. Cigliano, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Biology and former Director of Environmental Conservation at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He also serves as adjunct research faculty at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, Maine, and is a Principal Investigator with the Earthwatch Institute. In addition to his academic…

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  • Katherine Quach has been engaged with Seaside Sustainability since 2021, beginning as an intern and steadily advancing to the roles of advisor and board member. Her journey within the organization reflects her strong commitment to sustainability, youth leadership, and community engagement. Katherine has contributed to multiple initiatives during her time at Seaside, supporting both program…

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  • Laura has a a Master of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Experienced in onboarding, quality assurance, and being an analytical solution seeker. Proficient in critical thinking, research, and problem solving expertise.

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  • Originally from Dayton, Ohio, LillyAnn Neiman is a recent graduate of Ohio University, where she earned her degree in Marine, Environmental, and Freshwater Biology. During her time at Ohio University, she was an active member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Omega Upsilon chapter and held the role of Vice President of Operations. In January 2025,…

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  • Jill Littlejohn earned her degree in History from the University of New Hampshire before moving to Europe, where she also completed a second baccalaureate in English. A native Bostonian who grew up along the coast just south of the city, she developed a lifelong passion and respect for the ocean. Her strong connection to the…

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  • Mahdi Bouattour is a video editor from Tunisia with a Masterโ€™s degree in Video Editing and Special Effects and a License in Cinema and Video Editing. Over the course of his career, he has gained extensive experience working across live television, post-production, and nonprofit media projects, building a strong foundation in both technical precision and…

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  • Maria Velasquez is from Perรบ and currently lives in Canada, where she is pursuing a post-graduate degree in Human Resources Management at Humber Polytechnic. Trained as a psychologist, Maria has professional experience in human resources with a focus on recruitment, having worked with multinational companies. At Seaside Sustainability, she serves as Volunteer Coordinator, responsible for…

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  • Maureen brings a strong background in Human Resources along with a business degree from Boston College and an MBA from Fitchburg State University. At Seaside Sustainability, she serves as a Human Resources Advisor with a focus on interviewing, helping the organization strengthen its teams and achieve its mission. Outside of her professional work, Maureen enjoys…

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  • Born and raised in South Florida, Nicole Castilla is a Marketing Associate and Grant Writer at Seaside Sustainability. She holds a bachelorโ€™s degree in Biology with a minor in English from Palm Beach Atlantic University and is a certified Florida Master Naturalist. With experience in marine biology, science communication, and digital storytelling, Nicole blends her…

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  • Bridgid Oโ€™Connell, from Springfield, Massachusetts, is a recent graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where she majored in Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection with a minor in Marine Biology. As Seaside Sustainabilityโ€™s Marine Science and Technology Fellow, she leads the Marine Science and Education team, the Blue Technology team, and the Grants/Sponsorships team. In this…

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  • Diana Parnian is an Industrial Engineer from Colombia with 12 years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, and continuous improvement. After completing a Sustainability Certification from MIT, she was inspired to align her professional expertise with her passion for environmental action and joined Seaside Sustainability as a volunteer. In this role, Diana contributes to…

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  • Megan Santos is passionate about contributing to a sustainable future by supporting environmental health, conservation, and community education. She brings hands-on experience in marine mammal rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, and conservation agriculture, work that has given her a comprehensive understanding of animal welfare, ecosystem dynamics, and the importance of sustainable farming practices. These experiences have not…

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  • Komal Shakil is the Human Resources Director at Seaside Sustainability, where she oversees diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, employee development, employment policies, and compliance. She also manages recruitment, employee relations, and performance management, ensuring that Seaside continues to grow as a supportive and mission-driven organization. With more than eight years of experience working with…

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  • Natalie is a Marine Science & Technology Fellow at Seaside Sustainability, where she leads marine science programs, supervises managers, and mentors interns on projects focused on ecological restoration, marine-debris mitigation, and climate literacy. She holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from UNC Wilmington and presented coral-larvae microbiome research at the 2022 Benthic Ecology Meeting. Previously,…

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