SANTA MONICA BAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Coastal Adaptation Program Director
Alex was born and raised in a southern Californian coastal community, which may explain why she is a life-long advocate of the ocean and coastal environments. With a Master's degree in Marine Ecology and a PhD in Coastal Dune Plant Physiological Ecology from UCLA, Alex has a keen interest in applying the breadth of her expertise to current environmental issues. Alex works at the interface of education, ecological research and hands-on ecological restoration. She has served in leadership positions for several institutions, and currently serves as a Commissioner on the City of Santa Monica's Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment. Alex lives in Santa Monica with her husband and teenage son.
Andrew Basmajian focuses on project management for The Bay Foundation after a public sector career in environmental and sustainability communications. Andrew has a B.A., in political science, from the University of California at Los Angeles; and a Business Studies Certification in Marketing and Advertising from UCLA Extension. Andrew currently serves on the board of the Mar Vista Farmers' Market and offers marketing support to the Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation. Andrew enjoys summertime visits to the Marina Peninsula (our family beach), mountain biking, and camping with his wife Lise and daughters Alana and Nora.
Job Titles:
- Board Member / CEO and Chief Wellgineer, Fertile Soil
Job Titles:
- Board Member / CEO and Co - Founder, Ellevoy
Job Titles:
- Treasurer / President and Executive Director, the Energy Coalition
Job Titles:
- Environmental Engagement Program Director
Georgia Tunioli is focused on implementing pollution prevention programs that protect our ecosystems and create more resilient communities. Prior to joining The Bay Foundation, she worked with the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute, served as General Manager at TheKindLife.com, and produced The Plastic Plague series with SoCal 350's EcoJustice Radio. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science and B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Sustainable Development from the University of Redlands.
Heather Burdick oversees the Marine Programs subtidal habitat research, monitoring and ecological restoration efforts. She has worked on restoration and water quality projects throughout the Santa Monica Bay watershed since 2005, including wetland and riparian corridor restoration, rainwater harvesting and raingarden projects, aerial monitoring, kelp restoration, and Southern California abalone recovery efforts. Additionally, she supports the TBF Officers, Board of Directors, and program operations for the organization. Heather earned her B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Conservation Biology from UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. When she's not diving below the waves you can find her exploring the beaches, mountains, and deserts of California.
Job Titles:
- Secretary / Vice President and General Manager, Pacific Park
Job Titles:
- Ocean Resilience Program Project Manager
Jillian (Jill) Demeter supports The Bay Foundation's Ocean Resilience Program as a Program Project Manager. She has a passion for scientific diving and working to restore endangered white abalone off the Southern California coastline. With TBF, Jill is involved in kelp forest restoration, abalone restoration and aquaculture, and eelgrass restoration off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and throughout the Santa Monica Bay. She earned her B.S. in Aquatic Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018. Jill previously worked for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) as a department diver to restore white abalone, she has worked at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point as a science instructor and deckhand, and she has several years of experience working with aquaria as an aquarium diver and husbandry assistant at Sea Life Aquarium in Carlsbad. In her free time, Jill enjoys fishing, spending time with family, and taking her dog, Cuda, to the dog beach.
Job Titles:
- Coastal Adaptation Program Coordinator
Kyler joined The Bay Foundation in 2023 as a Coastal Adaptation Program Coordinator. He received his B.S. in Aquatic Biology with a minor in Spatial Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2021. At UCSB, Kyler performed research in both the field and lab, one of his favorite projects involving studies on the sustainable aquaculture of purple-hinged rock scallops with the Culver Lab. Prior to working for TBF he was involved in the aquarium industry, engaged with life support and aquaculture of tropical fish species. He has always wanted to return to the field and engage with his local community and environments. At TBF he pursues this passion, and his enthusiasm for fieldwork, GIS mapping, and social media-based science communication contributes to the foundation in supporting native California ecosystem resilience and restoration. In his free time, Kyler enjoys playing guitar and exploring both the urban and natural areas of Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Vice President / Co - Founder, SkySource
Job Titles:
- Coastal Adaptation Program Technician
- the Bay Foundation in 2023 As a Field Technician
Mai joined The Bay Foundation in 2023 as a Field Technician. She received a B.S. from UCLA in Environmental Science and minored in Conservation Biology graduating in 2023. She had been interning for The Bay Foundation working on the Coastal Adaptation Program since October 2022 where she realized she was interested in field work and coastal restoration. She also worked in an animal behavior lab at UCLA focusing her independent research project on sea lion conservation while she finished out her college education along with volunteering at the Heal the Bay aquarium. Aside from conservation, Mai is passionate about surfing, diving, hiking, and spending time with friends at the beach.
Job Titles:
- Coastal Adaptation Program Coordinator
María Jazmín Rios journey into the realm of environmental conservation began in the rugged terrains of Nevada and California in 2008, exploring the ecological nuances of the western fence lizard. This venture kindled a lasting interest in wildlife ecology and conservation which she carried through diverse terrains and research domains, from urban wildlife and genetic studies to assessing water quality in lakes and exploring the genetic markers of invasive plants in the Midwest. Her roots in wildlife biology and conservation genetics, have evolved her career towards embracing the complex challenges of coastal resilience.
Job Titles:
- Ocean Resilience Program Coordinator
Mitch Johnson supports The Bay Foundation's Ocean Resilience Program as a Program Project Coordinator. In 2016, he received a B.S. in Environmental Science with minors in Marine Biology and Climate Change from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca New York. His research here focused on studying the marine mass mortality event known as sea star wasting disease, which decimated sea star populations across the western coast of the United States in 2014. After leaving Cornell, Mitch pursued a career as a Fisheries Observer working aboard commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea of Alaska in partnership with NOAA and NMFS to help track and support the sustainable catch of commercially important species. While at sea Mitch decided to pursue further education and moved back to Southern California to acquire a master's degree in marine ecology at San Diego State University. Here he spent his time researching the effects of climate change on community interactions within kelp forests and fell in love with scientific diving. Mitch has a strong passion for teaching others about the ocean's wonders. He has contributed to this through his time working as a marine science instructor at the Catalina Island Marine Institute on Catalina Island and Mission Bay Aquatic Center in San Diego. In his free time, Mitch enjoys surfing, producing music, and exploring local natural spaces with his dog Mako.
Job Titles:
- Environmental Engagement Program Coordinator
Paola Maravilla Montes De Oca holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of California Irvine. Her work with TBF primarily focuses on administrative work. She previously worked on native plant restoration at Catalina Island. In her free time, Paola enjoys being outdoors, hiking, going to the beach, baking, and going to Disneyland.
Job Titles:
- Ocean Resilience Program Coordinator
Price joined The Bay Foundation in September of 2022 and supports the Ocean Resilience Program as a Field Technician. In 2020, he received his B.A. in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Ecology from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After graduating he immediately started working on diving projects with the Caselle Laboratory's subtidal monitoring team at UCSB. Prior to working at TBF, he worked as a marine science educator at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Price has an immense passion for scientific diving, kelp forest restoration, animal husbandry and all things aquaria related! In his free time, Price enjoys fishing and taking in the beauty of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Job Titles:
- Ocean Resilience Program Coordinator
Sean joined The Bay Foundation in September of 2022 as a field technician. He received his B.S. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Marine Biology from USC in 2022. Shortly after graduating, he was involved in a TBF volunteer scientific diving opportunity helping transplant an eelgrass bed on Catalina Island. After that experience, he knew fieldwork and scientific diving was what he wanted to pursue. Months later, he was working with TBF on kelp forest restoration, abalone restoration and aquaculture, and eelgrass restoration! In his free time, Sean enjoys competing in sports with his roommates, going out with friends, and exploring California's beautiful landscapes.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Executive Officer of the Bay Foundation
Tom Ford is the Chief Executive Officer of The Bay Foundation, Director of the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program, and Co-Executive Director of the Coastal Research Institute at Loyola Marymount University. Tom holds an M.A. from UCLA in Marine Ecology and a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island in Biology. He has been engaged in the study and restoration of kelp forests since he moved to LA in 1998. Other efforts include aerial mapping of boats, SCUBA-based biological monitoring of Marine Protected Areas, abalone restoration, abalone genetics and disease risk management, sea urchin gonad indices development, coastal climate change vulnerability and resilience, ocean acidification and hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, and eelgrass restoration. In addition, Tom teaches environmental science at Loyola Marymount University and serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Marine Institute, Joint Strategic Advisory Committee for the Southern, Central-Northern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, and Association of National Estuary Programs. Tom has dedicated thousands of hours to understanding and correcting sources of pollution in Los Angeles and influencing national and international policies and practices that benefit the environment and public health.
Tom's diverse background spans the Atlantic seaboard where his research on sea turtles involved nesting beaches, aerial surveys, and coastal dredging projects. As a commercial shell fisherman in Rhode Island, he developed his deep appreciation for the working landscapes that comprise our coastal waters. Tom and his family live in Santa Monica where they spend their free time surfing, backpacking, and mountain biking.
Job Titles:
- Board Member and General Counsel / Founder, Egoscue Law Group
Job Titles:
- Board Member / Attorney and Partner, Fisher Phillips