Our People

Kiley Best is a fisheries biologist with the Center for Fisheries Ecosystems Research at Marine Institute. She is an aquatic invasive species expert and works in community science, habitat and fisheries efficiency research. She is involved in international post secondary education projects and graduate student support. She is also Chair of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium established in 2013.

Tatum Freigang’s love for the environment started from a young age. Born and raised in Richmond, B.C. Tatum knew she always wanted to be near the ocean, which led her to move to the east coast to obtain her bachelor’s degree in finance at Dalhousie University. Later realizing her passion and purpose lies in helping to protect and advocate for the environment prompted her to apply for the Canadian Conservation Corps, a program under the Canadian Wildlife Federation, where she is currently a participant. Tatum hopes to bring her unique background and teaching experience to CaNOE to help support accessible ocean education. Tatum enjoys exploring the ocean through snorkeling, has her PADI open water certification and enjoys participating in community shoreline cleanups.

Carter McNelly is a student at Memorial University where he is completing a joint major in Marine Biology. Last October, Carter joined the membership working group and now hopes to continue on the board. He is currently a Junior Analyst in Marine Conservation for Parks Canada and is working on the ocean literacy file for the agency, helping to foster more OL initiatives at all the sites. Carter is interested in marine conservation policy and community wellbeing, specifically Indigenous communities. Carter has always been passionate about ocean education and has experience in leadership positions, founding and chairing the Ocean Sciences Undergraduate Society for the last 2 years and is an Ocean Bridge Alumni (2020). He looks forward to continuing to grow with CaNOE and spread ocean literacy across the country.

Lucija is currently a Communication Specialist with DeepSense in Nova Scotia. She has a background in marine biology and science communication. Her previous experience in various informal education institutions has helped fuel her passion in marine science communication and advancing ocean literacy in Canada. In 2020, she became an Ocean Bridge Ambassador and had the opportunity to meet so many youth passionate about ocean conservation. She has been involved with CaNOE since the 2016 Ocean Literacy Conference and has been chairing the Communications Working Group. She looks forward to continuing steering CaNOE and bringing it up to the level of its international equivalents.

Lyne Morissette, PhD, is a conservation biologist and marine mammal researcher with a long record of accomplishments and research collaboration all around the world. She has a world-renown expertise in marine mammal ecology, conservation, and biodiversity and has published her work in the most prestigious journals such as Science. She has traveled the world to pursue her research and she’s actively involved in Canada but also in the Caribbean, Africa, Scandinavia, and beyond. She is also the host of different TV shows, radio shows, podcasts and education and ocean literacy programs in schools in Québec and other countries. In 2017, she was one of the chief scientists of Canada C3 expedition and was involved in ocean education and scientific popularization. She is an advocate for processes and projects where research, conservation, and education can serve to protect the oceans for future generations.

Lauren Hudson is a big kid at heart and likes to find fun ways to make ocean education as exciting as possible. From daily beach walks to sea kayak adventures, Lauren loves the ocean! She joined Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) in the summer of 2019 after more than a decade teaching in the classroom. With a passion for connection and collaboration, she enjoys working with other STEAM organizations to create unique experiences for learners of all ages. She holds a BSc and BEd from the University of Victoria and a MEd from the University of Calgary where she focussed on how guest speakers can effectively share their expertise with students in the K-12 education community.

Ariel graduated with a Master of Environmental Assessment (MEnv) and has over 7 years of experience in project creation, leadership, and data collection on projects focused on plastic pollution in the coastal and marine environment. Ariel has developed and led multiple partnership projects including microplastic research. Ariel’s work includes partnership management, sample collection, training, and overseeing data collection in Atlantic Canada. Ariel also leads Coastal Action’s Ghost Gear projects, which began in 2020 and works with partners across Nova Scotia to retrieve and mitigate the issue of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear. Ariel is passionate about the ocean and enjoys collaborating on meaningful solutions that work towards protecting marine ecosystems.

Warren Lake is a born and raised Calgarian who considers himself to be a Biology teacher always in transition: he is searching for ways to reconnect high school teenagers to the natural world. Warren Lake continues to take students to Bamfield every 2 years and has now established a trip to Kluane Lake in the Yukon with the Arctic Institute of North America to highlight northern science and adventure travel. The journey to shine a light on unique and important ecosystems will continue to be a challenge that shifts and flows with the topics that abound in environmental education and in the need to build a greater sense of nature literacy in high school students.

Cassidy has loved the environment ever since she was a little girl catching bugs. Respect and curiosity for the ocean developed at university where she dipped her toes into aquaculture and fell in love with the ocean, diving headfirst into marine biology and oceanography studies. Cassidy was an Ocean Bridge Ambassador in 2021-2022 which bridged the gap between what academics fail to teach about applying all our knowledge to the real world. Currently, Cassidy is a Conservation Assistant with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter where she is involved in Aquatic Species at Risk and Marine Debris outreach. Cassidy hopes to keep learning about our oceans and sharing that knowledge with generations to come.

Stacey is originally from Quebec but moved to Vancouver Island two years ago from St. John’s NL. She studied marine biology and math during her undergrad and has a Masters in Marine Spatial Planning and Coastal Management from the Marine Institute. Stacey now works as a conservation biologist on marine protected areas. From spending her summers on beaches on the Gaspe coast, she knew that she was going to work with the marine environment. Having a love of reading and the ocean, ocean literacy, science communication, and education is very important to her. The more people that know about the ocean, the better.

When she’s not out walking in the woods or along the beach, you can find her paddling with her dragon boat team.

Adena holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a Diploma in Marine Environmental Technology, bringing strong technical training and hands-on experience to her work in coastal and marine conservation. With several years of experience in project coordination, field research, and data management, she has contributed to a wide range of initiatives supporting healthy marine ecosystems across Atlantic Canada. She is currently a Project Coordinator with Coastal Action and has coordinated and supported multiple environmental projects, including ghost gear retrieval efforts, remote shoreline cleanups, microplastic research collaborations, and aquatic invasive species monitoring. Adena is passionate about applying science to real-world environmental challenges and values collaboration as a driving force behind effective marine conservation. She is committed to supporting sustainable coastal communities and developing practical, meaningful solutions that protect marine ecosystems.

Adiza is an environmental communicator, marine science student, and youth educator dedicated to advancing ocean literacy across Canada. With more than five years of experience in climate change education, storytelling, and community engagement, she works at the intersection of science, communication, and social impact. Her work focuses on translating complex ocean–climate issues into accessible, inspiring learning experiences for young people and underserved communities.
She serves with several networks, including ECOP Canada, ECOP Africa, the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC), and Care About Climate. Adiza is also the founder of the Social Youth Drive Foundation and the author of Waves of Change, a children’s book that promotes ocean stewardship and encourages the next generation to care for the planet’s blue spaces.

Amy is Métis and serves as the Indigenous Knowledge Specialist at Ocean Wise, where she weaves Indigenous Knowledge into ocean conservation, youth programming, and environmental education. Based in central Alberta, she collaborates with communities and partners across Canada to support culturally grounded, relationship‑centred approaches to marine learning.
Her work focuses on strengthening the relationships between people and water, ensuring that Indigenous voices, leadership, and knowledge systems are meaningfully braided into environmental programming. Through this approach, she helps deepen understanding of how all ecosystems remain interconnected with the health of the world’s ocean.

Sondra is an interdisciplinary marine scientist with expertise spanning social science, the humanities, collaborative engagement, and science communication. She is deeply passionate about exploring and connecting with the natural world—whether diving, snorkelling, hiking with her dog Ruca, or travelling to new coastal places.
She holds a PhD in holistic governance and the management of ocean social–ecological systems, as well as a Master’s degree in geography and environmental management focused on marine conservation initiatives. Sondra’s work brings together diverse ways of knowing to support more inclusive, connected, and effective approaches to ocean stewardship.

Mike is currently the Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy for the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, where he has worked for over 10 years. He has spent time in roles doing commercial fisheries monitoring, seafood marketing, and as a recreational fly fishing guide on BC’s remote central coast. He has a Masters in Marine Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria. When not working on fisheries and oceans files Mike enjoys mountain biking, fishing (of course), playing and coaching hockey, and hiking around the rugged Pacific coast. Mike lives in Victoria with his wife and daughter (age 12) and son (age 10).

Moronke Harris (moronkeharris.com) is an award-winning deep-sea explorer and science communicator fascinated by innovation, discovery, and the blue economy. Her research focuses on the untapped potential of Earth’s least explored ocean regions, where transformative discoveries could hold the key to advancing society and reversing global decline. She has spent over 170 days of her life collaboratively exploring Earth’s final frontier using submersibles. Driven by a spirit of discovery, Moronke is currently preparing to serve as Submersible Science Team Co-Lead on an all-female Antarctic expedition in 2026, documenting climate-driven changes firsthand.

She serves on the Ocean Wise Board of Directors, the UN-endorsed Early Career Ocean Professionals Canada Advisory Board, and is an elected member of The Oceanography Society Council. As founder of The Imaginative Scientist, Moronke explores creative approaches to science communication, engaging in public speaking, film narration, consulting, and outreach. This work includes regularly engaging audiences of 500,000+ as a Science Columnist for CBC/Radio-Canada. In 2025, her contributions to science and public engagement earned her the King Charles III Coronation Medal (Governor General’s Allocation), awarded to only 100 Canadians for exceptional service. She aims to ignite wonder, creativity, and a deeper connection to our changing ocean planet.

Angel is the Director of Conservation for the BC Métis Federation, where she leads community‑driven conservation and environmental‑engagement initiatives that support Indigenous communities across British Columbia. In this role, she oversees a wide range of programs focused on shoreline restoration, aquatic‑habitat monitoring, climate‑change outreach, and community education, ensuring that environmental stewardship is guided by community priorities and Métis perspectives.
A core part of Angel’s work involves creating culturally safe, accessible spaces for Indigenous youth, families, and Elders to share their experiences, knowledge, and concerns about the changing lands and waters around them. She facilitates community gatherings that bring forward lived experiences of identity, environmental change, racism, and intergenerational connection to place. Through this approach, Angel helps amplify Indigenous voices and strengthen community‑led pathways for protecting the lands and waters that sustain them.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Monique enjoys planning her next trip and starting new craft projects (that quickly get abandoned for the next project).

Samantha is an ocean educator and program manager who is passionate about empowering youth to see themselves as agents of change for the waters around them. As an Education Manager at Ocean Wise, she designs and coordinates bilingual (FR/EN) school and youth programs that blend hands‑on learning, community service, and real conservation action.
She brings ocean literacy to life in communities by delivering engaging experiences—such as the portable Sea Dome and artifact stations—and by supporting youth‑led conservation projects across a wide range of regions. Samantha’s work is grounded in strong scientific and systems-thinking foundations shaped through her graduate training at McGill University in Integrated Water Resources Management and Environmental Biology/Wildlife Biology.
Over the past five years, she has contributed to ocean conservation through multiple roles, strengthening her leadership in student government, volunteer coordination, and team management. Outside of work, Samantha can often be found teaching or training in pole and aerial arts, or enjoying long walks with her dog.

Sarah is an instructor in hydrography at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, where she is dedicated to educating students on the critical role hydrography plays in ocean mapping and global marine understanding. Her passion for advancing ocean exploration and education was recently recognized when she was named a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, an honour that highlights her leadership in marine science and her commitment to expanding ocean literacy and outreach.

Kelly Falkner is an investment‑management professional with a passion for ocean conservation and open‑water swimming. After several years in the UK, he recently returned to Ontario and is pivoting into the impact‑investing sector, where financial tools are used to create positive social and environmental outcomes. Motivated by the need to close gaps in ocean literacy and protect marine biodiversity, he is eager to contribute his skills to CaNOE’s mission and strengthen Canada’s ocean‑education landscape.Her work focuses on strengthening the relationships between people and water, ensuring that Indigenous voices, leadership, and knowledge systems are meaningfully braided into environmental programming. Through this approach, she helps deepen understanding of how all ecosystems remain interconnected with the health of the world’s ocean.

Alex is an environmental communications professional with a background in ocean management and journalism. He currently work as the communications director at Oceans North, a charity that supports marine conservation in partnership with coastal and Indigenous communities. As someone who is passionate about ocean health, particularly in the Arctic, and interested in bridging the gap between information and action, he’d like to share my expertise and learn from other people across Canada.