Aidan Wind, Executive Director

BA Geography, University of Victoria (2004). Aidan is the Founder and the Executive Director, of the Global Reef. His love of the oceans has taken him throughout the world, both as a captain of various vessels and as a technical scuba diving instructor. In addition, Aidan has an extensive amount of experience with marine mammals in their open water habitats; this contact has inspired efforts in developing the Global Reef. He enjoys beach life, film, music, and is an aspiring cinematographer.

Lynsey Dyer, Spokesperson

What hasn’t Lynsey Dyer done? The 27-year-old has won every big-mountain competition she’s ever entered including the overall Extreme skiing tour in 2005. She’s appeared in Warren Miller and Teton Gravity Research films, and this winter, she was awarded Female Skier of the Year by Powder Magazine. She’s hosted a handful of television shows for NBC and ESPN, and even appeared on Good Morning America. In 2006 She co-founded the non-profit She Jumps, which seeks to get girls into outdoor sports and offers avalanche safety and learn-to-ski clinics. Lynsey grew up ski racing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and went on to win a downhill gold in the Junior Olympics. She majored in graphic design while ski racing at Montana State University and has designed a signature line of clothing and ski graphics for Rossignol and Eddie Bauer. Living in Jackson, Wyoming, Lynsey is always seeking balance between her art and design, training as an athlete and non-profit work. “I can’t imagine it any other way,” She says of making a life out of the things she loves, “You can’t tell little girls to go follow their passions without putting yourself out there too right? I’m doing my best to walk the walk myself.”

Bill Weaver, Media

Bill Weaver is a journalist, filmmaker, and media strategist, with his hands in virtually every facet of television and radio for the past 35 years. He produces, directs, shoots, edits, and writes documentaries and short films that touch hearts and build bridges of understanding. Bill is a fervent explorer of new media, and new ways of telling our stories. Fascinated by the profound changes happening in the media landscape today, Bill is intrigued by what is evolving out of the chaos. Founder and facilitator of "Media that Matters", a conference for all facets of conventional and unconventional media aimed at making a positive difference in the world. He also specializes in shorts that help fundraise and promote the missions of values-based business and social-profit organizations, and is often found shooting and editing for other like-minded projects.

Ian Hinkle, Producer / Director

BA Film, University of British Columbia. Ian Hinkle is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has been chasing stories worldwide since 1992. His work- as a writer, director, and cinematographer- has been seen on networks from Discovery Channel to National Geographic, and at film festivals from Sedona Arizona to St. Petersburg Russia. Having worked as a shooter with notable documentary filmmakers such as Anne Makepeace, Laszlo Pal & Aerlyn Weissman, Ian brings over fifteen years of production experience to Global Reef. With an emphasis on social-political issues, he has a keen eye for stories of adventure that lead to a deeper understanding of our planet ("The Living Coast", "Born to the Wind,” Quokka Sports, and "Long Road North"). Having traveled to over thirty countries, Ian believes that the more we look at the world around us, the closer we can get to finding solutions to change it.

Robin June Hood, Education & Sustainable Community Development

PhD Doctorate of Philosophy, University of Victoria, Curriculum Studies, Education. A cultural geographer, educator and filmmaker originally from Montreal, Robin has lived most of her adult life in Latin America and British Columbia. She worked in Central America supporting vulnerable populations in war affected regions during the tumultuous 1980’s. Upon her return to Canada she has operated a consulting business focused on transformational education, community development and international development. As a peace activist and documentary filmmaker Robin combines media skills with research affiliations to create support for community transformation and social movements. A pioneer of creative participatory methodologies, Robin has facilitated community development processes in Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala and BC for the past decade. Robin has worked extensively in war zones with indigenous peoples and completed her doctorate on revitalizing traditional ecological knowledge with working children in Guatemala. Robin worked for the Canadian Red Cross during the SE Asia Tsunami response and coordinated a global conference on creating resilient communities in 2005-2006. Robin, is an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University and a regional council member for the BC Coastal Region of the Canadian Red Cross, she resides on Gabriola Island.

K. Joseph Spears, Sea-Use Law / Economics and Policy Making

LLB Joe Spears is a Canadian based independent Arctic and Ocean consultant with a particular interest in the creation of marine protected areas. Joe brings a unique perspective to the development of Marine protected areas. This is based on practical experience, academic studies, professional work and consensus building in the ocean field. Mr. Spears is the founding principal of the Horseshoe Bay Marine Group, an interdisciplinary ocean-consulting firm with a wide variety of clients in the maritime, ocean, arctic, and space sectors. Mr. Spears has operated marine eco-tourism businesses, as well as, founded the first whale watching operation off Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia. He has worked with Parks Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service, Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries, and Dalhousie University to name a few. In addition, Joe has conducted fieldwork in the Canadian Arctic with the Inuit. Mr. Spears holds degrees in biology, economics, and law from Dalhousie University, as well as, a Masters in Sea-use law and policy from the London School of Economics in London, England. Mr. Spears holds numerous professional qualifications and is a member of various professional organizations in the law, policy and marine and ocean field. He is a frequent speaker and commentator on ocean and arctic issues. Mr. Spears takes an interdisciplinary approach to ocean issues and has a keen interest in the impact of climate change on our oceans. Joe is an avid mariner who resides in West Vancouver, and wishes he could spend more time in the Arctic.

Tony Stark, Financial Administration

MBA Master of Public Administration, University of Victoria, 1986, Master of Business Administration, UBC, 1975, Bachelor of Commerce, UBC, 1970. Work Experience: 1981 to 2002. Tony was an Analyst, Manager and Director, Treasury Board Staff, Province of British Columbia. This is the group of professionals, which provides analysis and advice to the Cabinet committee responsible for setting budgets and approving expenditures for the government. From 1975 to 1980, he held various positions with the Ministries of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Environment and Health, Province of British Columbia. Previously from 1970 to 1972, Tony was an Assistant Accountant with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company, Chartered Accountants, in Vancouver, BC. In addition, Tony has an extensive knowledge of government finance and government accounting policies, as well as, highly developed financial analysis skills. Tony is familiar with business planning concepts, particularly in a public sector setting. Personal: Born 1946 in Vancouver, BC. Married with three daughters. Recreational interests include hiking, cycling, kayaking, skiing and fishing.

Anne Lévesque, Organizational Development

MBA Anne has over twenty - four years experience in developing and managing conservation programs of regional, provincial, national and international scope. Her work has focused in building strategic alliances with governments, First Nations, corporations and advocacy organizations to address sustainable natural resources use. One of her NGO-Corporate partnership program received honourable mention from the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy in 2003. Anne is experienced in supporting teams in strategic planning and in developing public outreach programs. She completed an MBA in 2006 specializing in Public Relations and Communications. Her applied thesis, titled “Stakeholder engagement in reputation management strategies,” was prepared for the CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op. Presently, Anne is contracted by the Canadian Boreal Initiative as Director of Strategic Partnerboats. Prior to this new role, she was the National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society; led the growth of Wildsight - a prominent conservation organization of south eastern British Columbia; coordinated the Environment and Development Support Program - a Canadian International Development Agency and Canadian Environmental Network collaboration; and developed environmental awareness programs in northern New Brunswick, the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and in Ecuador.

Jeff Rempel, Coastal Management

Water and Coastal Management University of Plymouth, UK and Universidade do Algarve, PT (2009). Jeff is an environmental management expert. His interdisciplinary education and work experience provide an integrated approach (social, economic, ecological and institutional) to the management of complex adaptive social-ecological systems. He is eligible for registration as a P.Biol. His project experiences include: contaminated sites, waste management, legislation review, EIA coordination, wildlife and fisheries biology, hydrology, and hydrogeology.
His excellent project management skills have developed over the past 10 years to include work plan, budget and proposal preparation as well as field logistics and sampling. He is also proficient in a wide variety of PC applications and understands the benefits of using GIS in cross-disciplinary management. Mr. Rempel is an effective communicator, as a scientist and to non-technical audiences. He has experience working with various levels of government (municipal, provincial, and federal) and communities including first nations. He is a proven leader, project manager, and natural scientist with a high degree of professionalism and attention to detail.

Geoff Carr, Information Management & Editor

MA Geoff Carr is a PhD candidate in the Department of Art History, Visual Art, and Theory at the University of British Columbia. His research interests include architectural history, memorialization, and cultural memory studies. He has published articles in academic journals and book chapters in scholarly anthologies. Geoff has worked as a writing instructor, and currently he is editor of Wreck, an online journal of art history at UBC.

Jon Corbett, Geography & Sustainable Development

PhD BA (University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK), MSc (University of Oxford, UK), PhD (University of Victoria). Research Interests: Jon’s community-based research investigates processes and tools that can be used by local and Indigenous communities to help express their relationship to and knowledge of traditional territories and on issues relating to resources and their sustainable management. Jon has worked with communities in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and British Columbia, Canada. Jon's research explores how Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and digital multimedia technologies can enable communities to document, store, manage and communicate their culture, language, history and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). His research also examines how geographic representation of community information using ICTs can strengthen the community internally through the revitalization of culture and traditional environmental management practices. Jon is the director of Land and People Information Sharing Society (LAPIS), an NGO concerned with exploring, facilitating and promoting community- and ecosystem-based models of land use and resource use internationally. Affiliations: Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Victoria, Department of Geography. Canadian Association of Geographers, Association of American Geographers, Society of Ethnobiology, International Society of Ethnobiology, North American Cartographic Society, Public Participation Geographic Information Systems and Technologies group.

Shamus Baier, Senior Yacht & Motor Captain

BSc
Biologist
Victoria, BC, CAN

Shamus graduated from the University of Alberta, with a degree in Environmental Biology. Following university, he spent the next decade working in Canada’s west coast ecotourism industry, operating rigid hull inflatables (RHIB’s), and aluminum crew boats. After Shamus earned his Master Limited captains license, Restricted Engineers certification, and underwent extensive training in Marine Emergency Duties. He then spent the next 4 years as Captain, on the 74-passenger, high-speed “Ocean Magic.” In addition, Shamus also worked as a charter yacht skipper, where he was first mate on former America’s cup winner “Stars and Stripes.” He has logged over 15 000 miles of blue water sailing, including a recent transatlantic crossing.

Gavin Carscallen, Field Manager

BSc, MBA, LLB
Free Diver
Calgary, AB, CAN

Gavin was born and raised in Calgary, AB. He completed a BSc from Pennsylvania State University, in International Finance. Gavin continued his studies in international finance at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and then worked in Botswana as a project manager for a construction company. In 2002, he moved to Beijing and established a marketing company designed to cater to foreign companies entering the Chinese market. After four years in Beijing, Gavin returned home to Calgary. He is currently in the final stages of completing a joint MBA/LLB degree from the University of Calgary. While completing his dual masters programs, Gavin worked part-time for the private equity firm North West Capital. Recently, he signed with Bennett Jones LLP, to finish his articling. During his undergraduate degree, Gavin was a world ranked swimmer, in the top 30 for 100m Butterfly. He is fluent in English, French, and Cantonese.

Brady Clarke, Photographer

Motor Captain / Surfer
Tofino, BC, CAN

Brady’s life has revolved around the ocean for most of his life. His passion has taken him around the world surfing, sailing, fishing, diving, and photographing the world’s oceans. Born in British Columbia, he spent nearly a decade guiding whale watching excursions in both Victoria and Tofino, BC. It was during this time that an interest in photography evolved into a passion and a career. Brady’s goal is to capture the beauty, fury, and vulnerability of the sea. With his art, he attempts to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding in humanity, as to the reality of our impact upon the earth. (www.bradyclarkephotography.com)

Richard Corman, Business & Planning

BSc
Victoria, BC, CAN

Early in his career, Richard was employed by the University of British Columbia, Electrical Engineering Department and the Tri University Meson Facility (TRIUMF) in Vancouver. He also worked for MacDonald Detwiller (MDA) at a time when MDA had only a dozen employees. Richard then founded his own company, Novatech Designs Ltd., and for over 27 years, he developed and manufactured numerous oceanographic instruments. Those products were sold to scientists, government agencies and universities around the world, and were used in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as throughout the oceans of the world. Over his 36-year career, Richard was able to merge his electronic and mechanical design skills with his extensive business and marketing skills.

Jeremy Koreski, Camera Operator / Photographer

Surfer
Tofino, BC, Canada

Jeremy is a professional photographer based on Vancouver Island. Born and raised in the town of Tofino, his work can be found in a wide variety of editorial, commercial and fine art collections. With a singular style that sees west coast culture and ecology through the intensely artistic values of his contemporaries, Jeremy has become one of the leading recorders of outdoor life in Canada. (www.jeremykoreski.com)

Jack Madro, Team Logistics / Technical Support

BEd
Motor Captain / Safety Diver
Edmonton, AB, CAN

Jack caught the aquatic and scientific bug at an early age. If he was not at a lake, river, or ocean investigating aquatic life, he was tinkering or modifying equipment to try to make it work better. He formed a number of businesses that involved commercial and recreational diving, whale watching, and marketing. In the past 35 years, he and his team have been responsible for training over 7000 scuba divers in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Jack’s consulting and business interests have taken him throughout the world. In the diving industry, he has become recognized as the “go to guy” for resort and business operations. Problem solving, leadership and teamwork, are his forte. “If it is broken, we will try to fix it, if it is garbage, we will recycle it, or take it out.” Jack sees challenges as the “Spice of life.”

SSI Instructor Certifier, IANTD Technical Instructor, PADI Master Instructor, and St. John’s Medic First Aid Instructor

Mark Malleson, Whale Researcher

Motor Captain
Victoria, BC, CAN

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Mark grew up sailing the waters of Vancouver Island. He has guided zodiac whale watching expeditions for the Victoria-based Prince of Whales since 1997 and is presently a senior captain in the industry. His own research is focused on the photo-identification of killer whales and humpback whales in the trans-boundary regions of BC and Washington State. Mark uses photography as a non invasive mark-recapture technique to assist in studies of the elusive transient killer whales and humpback whales. His photo-identifications and log notes are shared with the Centre for Whale Research, San Juan Island, WA, and the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, BC. Mark’s extensive portfolio of killer whale identification photographs resulted in a co-authored Transient Killer Whale field guide in 2006. His ongoing work in cataloguing humpbacks of the eastern Juan de Fuca Strait is available on-line through the Centre for Whale Research website (www.whaleresearch.com) Mark has worked as a marine biologist on expedition ships in Antarctica, and his research in BC is conducted on his private vessel, as well as on government cetacean abundance surveys that transit BC’s coastline aboard Canadian Coast Guard ships.

Alessandro Rossi, Underwater Camera Operator

Yacht Captain
Locarno, SUI

Alex grew up in Switzerland, as an apprentice to a Luthier. After establishing himself as an expert hand craftsman of violins, a fateful sailing trip to Sri Lanka changed his life forever. Overwhelmed by his newfound passion for the oceans, Alex became a technical dive instructor and has never looked back. Since then, Alex has spent the last decade filming extensively throughout the northern and southern hemispheres. He is fluent in Swiss Italian, Swiss German, Italian, English, and French.

InnerSpace Systems: Megalodon Rebreather Diver, TDI Technical Instructor: Technical Diving International, PADI Master Instructor, and DAN Medic First Aid Instructor

Philippe Rouget, Lead Biologist

MSc
Motor Captain
Victoria, BC, CAN

Philippe Rouget, (B.Sc., M.Sc., R.P.Biol.) is a senior marine biologist in Golder Associates’ Victoria Office and program coordinator for Golder’s Marine Service Group. Specializing in coastal marine ecology and marine mammal acoustics, he has over nine years of experience in designing and managing multi-disciplinary marine biological research programs. Mr. Rouget has over four years of experience as a marine consultant acting as marine biology lead on various EA, EIA, EIS and environmental monitoring projects, and managing field programs both in Canada and abroad. His work includes comprehensive biophysical assessments of marine and shoreline habitat, benthic community sampling, marine mammal surveys, underwater noise assessments, noise modelling, resource evaluations, biological monitoring/mitigation projects, habitat compensation programs, environmental documentation, technical report preparation and literature-based review for marine related projects. He has participated in marine environmental impact assessments and permitting services associated with marine foreshore development projects, including offshore oil and gas, alternative energy, residential development, and port facilities. Relevant to these services, he has authored or co-authored various supporting reports, as well as multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. Mr. Rouget also acts as founder and director of the Coastal Wildlife Research Foundation, an international nonprofit research organization specializing in marine mammal studies. He is fluent in English and French.