Nicole Galase - Chair (2020- ); Treasurer (2013-2019)
Nicole Galase was born and raised in Hawai'i and obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Marine Option Program Certificate from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Nicole has spent time working for various agencies on Midway Atoll, Kure Atoll, and French Frigate Shoals. She achieved a Master of Marine Conservation from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, then went on to study the Band-rumped Storm Petrel at Pōhakuloa Training Area on the Island of Hawai'i. She is currently the Managing Director for the Hawai'i Cattlemen’s Council, Hawai'i Beef Industry Council, and the Hawai'i Rangeland Stewardship Foundation in a position that supports Hawaii’s ranching industry and aims to increase local food production. Her goal is to highlight the overlapping goals of cattlemen and the conservation community to foster closer collaboration.
Ilana Nimz- Vice Chair (2020- ); Director (2017- )
Ilana Nimz is from Oahu, and remained in Hawaii to design her own major in Conservation Biology and Marine Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is currently an ecologist for Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge and an ecological consultant with her own business, Leaf & Feather. Nimz has spent six field seasons in Papahānaumokuākea working with monk seals, seabirds, and habitat restoration projects. She has also participated in seabird research in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Farallon Islands, and on Kauai. Nimz recently completed her Master's degree in the Pelagicos lab at Hawaii Pacific University, focusing on foraging habits of Christmas Shearwaters in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. In addition to research, she enjoys sharing stories of the unique habitats of Hawaii through writing and painting.
Stephanie Levins - Secretary (2019- )
Stephanie Levins was born and raised in San Jose, California and received her B.S. Joint Major in Biology and Mathematics with a concentration in Environmental Studies from Harvey Mudd College. She spent the next several years working with endangered and native birds in Texas, Florida, California, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, and Hawaii, where she previously worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, Alala Project, and Natural Area Reserves System. Stephanie is currently managing the endangered Nene at Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island and is also pursuing a Master’s in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University. In addition to conservation work, Stephanie enjoys bird-watching, hiking, and traveling.
Asher Loring- Treasurer (2020-); Director (2017- )
Asher Loring is from Santa Rosa California and received his bachelors degree in Political Economy from Evergreen State in 2013. While residing in Olympia he volunteered as a homeless advocate and was a member of the local Move to Amend chapter. Since moving to Hawaii Asher has been working with the land: farming and foresting. He currently works for Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods, a native reforestation project. In his free time Asher enjoys running trail, playing music and exploring the Big Island.
Heather Smith-Lee- Director (2015- ), Secretary (2016-2019 )
Heather Smith-Lee is a graduate of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She earned a MEd in Educational Psychology, BAs in Psychology and Mathematics, and a certificate in Women's Studies. Heather's Masters Plan B looked at high school student engagement levels using laptops.
Heather returned to the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law in July 2016 to serve as the Director of Law Student Financial Assistance. She works very closely with current and prospective students, as well as alumni, to guide them through the general financial aid process. She previously worked as the Admissions and Web Coordinator at Hawaii's Law School. She recently spent three years in Manhattan, New York as a Program Coordinator/Consultant at a private tutoring company. Heather worked as a primary point of contact to set up and sustain proactive relationships among families and tutors.
Heather returned to the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law in July 2016 to serve as the Director of Law Student Financial Assistance. She works very closely with current and prospective students, as well as alumni, to guide them through the general financial aid process. She previously worked as the Admissions and Web Coordinator at Hawaii's Law School. She recently spent three years in Manhattan, New York as a Program Coordinator/Consultant at a private tutoring company. Heather worked as a primary point of contact to set up and sustain proactive relationships among families and tutors.
Catherine Fox- Director (2013- ), Chair Emeritus (2013- 2019),
Secretary (2013-2016)
Catherine Fox received her M.S. in Biology from Boston University, where she studied marine biology in Woods Hole, MA and tropical ecology in Quito, Ecuador. Currently, Catherine is an adjunct professor of life sciences at Santa Monica College and Long Beach City College in Los Angeles, CA. She spends her summers volunteering as a field biologist for various wildlife conservation programs. With over ten years of experience working for environmental non-profits, such as the New England Aquarium, National Wildlife Federation and the Jane Goodall Institute, Catherine has worked first-hand with legislators, scientists, and the general public to achieve conservation goals. Through her previous experience as an environmental educator for informal learning centers, such as the Chattahoochee Nature Center and Aquarium of the Pacific, Catherine recognizes the importance of educating and engaging local communities to instill a sense of global consciousness, self-confidence and empowerment.