Aeon understood from a young age that living far inland doesn't make you independent from the world's waters. Knowing this, took every chance he got to further explore his curiosity about the interconnectedness of life on Earth. He sought not only to learn just how much the ocean impacts people who don't live near it, but how those people impact the ocean in return.
This curiosity has taken him on multiple whale-watching tours, to beach clean-ups, and to marine conservation meetings to learn and share his passion about marine life. Aeon felt compelled to share his discoveries with family, friends, and peers. He's since been giving presentations at various schools about whales, dolphins, sharks, endangered marine species, and sustainable seafood. These presentations have become a critical component of Aeon for Ocean's mission.
Growing up on the coast, she realized that she – like many of us – was unwittingly part of the problem, so she strongly believes it's time to give back and strives to be a part of the solution by raising awareness to protect the oceans. The knowledge she has gained over the last several years has left her amazed at how wonderful the ocean and its creatures are, as well as the importance of healthy marine ecosystems and the critical role humans play towards its conservatio.
She is a computer engineer and has been in various roles in IT industry. She has been volunteering at Save the Water™ managing technology team and in local schools through various educational programs.
Benalee is Midwest native, born and raised in the greater St. Louis region where she earned a Master of Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, from Lindenwood University.
Her professional experience includes establishing, implementing, and managing all aspects of operations for a rapidly growing Civil Engineering firm.
Her love of the ocean began with her first visit to Pensacola Beach 25 years ago. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature and travelin, while continuing to learn how to enhance this world for future generations.
She is excited to be a member of the Aeon for Ocean team and believes this is an ideal role allowing her to apply both her strong business operations experience as well as her love of the earth in support of this mission.
Despite living far from the ocean, Ashley has always had a passion for ocean conservation and marine life. She is excited to help Aeon for Ocean continue their mission of teaching children about the ocean and the many marine animals who call it home. In her free time, Ashley enjoys listening to music, writing, traveling and spending time with family!
Robyn Smith holds a Master's degree in Management and Leadership from The Catholic University of America and a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University. Robyn currently works in HR Insights and has built her career around helping organizations create meaningful experiences for the people they serve. Her expertise includes employee engagement, organizational development, recruiting, belonging and inclusion, and people analytics. Outside of work, Robyn enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband and senior beagle. She has always cared deeply about protecting the environment and believes stewardship begins close to home. Whether she's walking her dog or exploring a new trail, you'll often find her picking up litter and clearing debris along the way. She is honored to support Aeon for Ocean as Volunteer Director of Human Resources and looks forward to contributing to an organization dedicated to protecting our oceans for future generations.
Jonica's passion for ocean conservation began in her Florida childhood, and her college years near the Gulf of Mexico allowed her to engage with environmental organizations like Keep Pinellas Beautiful and Tampa Bay Watch. Transitioning to teaching sixth-grade science, Jonica made a lasting impact on the next generation. Today, as a Marine Mammal Observer and Educator on Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Tours in Pensacola Beach, Florida, she educates visitors from diverse regions about Gulf of Mexico's marine life. Committed to ocean conservation, Jonica actively contributes to Aeon For Ocean, supporting their mission to raise awareness about ocean conservation among children across the United States. For fun, she enjoys climbing, hiking with her faithful pup, and exploring the depths of the ocean through scuba diving; she finds joy and balance in the great outdoors.
Bethany is a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a double-majored in Marine Biology and Environmental Science and minor in Conservation Biology. She is from the Bay Area, but is currently in Southern California working for a water utility company as a conservation intern. From learning how to swim at a young age, visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to snorkeling in Hawaii, Bethany developed a deep love for marine biology/science. She cultivated this passion while volunteering with The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito during high school, studying marine science in college classes, becoming scuba certified, and conducting marine research abroad in French Polynesia. Through volunteering with Aeon for Ocean she hopes to further her passion, contribute to ocean conservation/protection, and give young kids the opportunity to discover the amazing underwater world.
V'Rhaniku is a seasoned talent acquisition and career services professional with over 11 years of experience across corporate and higher education settings. She has experience in full-cycle recruitment, employee engagement, and developing inclusive talent strategies that drive diverse hiring outcomes. V'Rhaniku holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources. Her passion lies in mentoring and supporting students and young professionals as they navigate their career journeys. Deeply committed to volunteerism, education, and youth empowerment, she is excited to support AFO's mission and contribute her expertise to meaningful, community-centered change. Outside of work, V'Rhaniku enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching sports, traveling, and giving back through service.
Savanna is a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned her B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Sports Management. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawai'i, Manhattan Beach, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada where she currently lives. She also spends much of her time in Puna'auia, Tahiti, French Polynesia, where she enjoys scuba diving and exploring the underwater world. A certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver, Savanna brings a lifelong connection to the ocean to her professional expertise in social media strategy, content creation, and community engagement. At Aeon for Ocean, she is excited to combine her creativity with her passion for marine conservation, helping to amplify the organization's mission and inspire youth and communities to protect the ocean.
Tammy has spent the majority of her career working in higher education settings specializing in human resources and financial/budgeting roles. She completed her bachelor's degree in business administration and has continued to further her education taking multiple master's level courses in Human Resources. Tammy and her husband, Brad, have 7 adult children and enjoy traveling to be with family or to spend time at their home on Florida's gulf coast. Tammy enjoys watching dolphins, manatees, sharks, stingrays, along with other marine life swimming near their home and also catching and disposing of plastics and other garbage that float by in their canal. Because of Tammy's passion for marine life and the ocean, she was very interested in donating time to the AFO causes.
Sarah has a bachelor's degree in psychology with minors in biology and criminology from the University of Denver. She is originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, and currently resides there. She is pursuing a master's degree in biology and wildlife conservation, which she hopes to use to help wildlife conservation in the future. She has always loved the ocean, specifically all of the amazing creatures that live there.
Her professional experience includes an internship in Iceland where she collected data and wrote an article on wildlife there and a cancer clinic with a support group for children whose parents were sick. She is excited to learn more about grant writing and contribute to the Aeon for Ocean team.
Mara graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh with bachelor's degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and recently earned an associate degree in Human Resources. My background includes founding two early childhood programs where I managed program design, operations, and communication with families and stakeholders. I'm passionate about supporting people, staying organized, solving problems, and learning more about HR and what helps teams thrive. Outside of work, I love being outdoors, exploring national parks with my family, and volunteering in my community through Lake Michigan shoreline cleanups and donation centers. I'm excited to volunteer with Aeon for Ocean because I believe kids are our future, and I love how AFO helps children build confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper appreciation for protecting our oceans and planet.
Beau is an illustrator, surface pattern designer, and toy maker who recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (B.F.A. Illustration). He has a passion for designing cute little guys and is thrilled to be able to use his art to teach people about the ocean and its inhabitants! Beau's love of the ocean is largely inspired by his mom, who has always felt deeply connected to the sea, and Beau wants to continue to protect and care for our planet's waters. When not drawing, Beau enjoys taking long walks or bike rides, playing video games, and cooking with his partner. Beau's favorite sea creature is probably the leafy seadragon because dragons are awesome.
Arianna is currently studying at the University of Wisconsin-Stout for Animation and Digital Media. She is also pursuing additional studies in Studio Art with a focus on Comics. After spending the first 6 years growing up in a comic book store in Illinois, Arianna has had an interest in comics and illustrations. Wanting to grow her skills as an artist and support a project bigger than herself is why Arianna decided to join Aeon for Ocean as a volunteer.
Alyssa is a graphic designer who loves to bring Ideas to life, and a recent graphic design graduate from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in user experience design. I have always loved both wildlife and comics. I was originally born on the East Coast, though I've spent most of my life in Minnesota. As a younger child, I loved water and swimming. I look forward to my role here as a comic illustrator in Aeon for Oceans. Many of my personal projects involve illustrations of animals in one way or another, often in relation to fictional stories or other personal writing projects.
Aarushi is a recruiting coordinator at a staffing firm that serves nonprofits, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Raised in Northern Virginia, she developed her love of the ocean in high school, where she conducted hands-on research with sea urchins in her senior-year oceanography lab and competed twice in the Chesapeake Bay Bowl. Today, she is excited to bring her people-focused background to Aeon for Ocean as a volunteer HR Associate, supporting the team while growing her HR expertise and contributing to a cause she cares about. Outside of work, Aarushi enjoys gaming and dancing, and hopes to one day see the Great Barrier Reef in person.
Brittanee Ebiringa is an experienced Project Management Professional (PMP) with a passion for driving impactful initiatives and organizing community-focused projects. She holds a strong background in project coordination, integration, and management across various corporate and volunteer sectors. Brittanee chose to volunteer with Aeon for Ocean to support its vital mission of empowering youth and inspiring the next generation to actively protect and conserve our oceans.