Save Our Shores welcomes Laura's experience including managing professional staff in the areas of finance, MIS, human resources, public and community relations, development, office administration, and technical assistance. In her prior leadership capacity, she was responsible for overseeing all budgeting and purchasing activity for a $14 million organization, assuring adherence to contractual goals, planning and coordinating community events, and overseeing technology and data management applications.

Laura is also well versed in grant writing, funding research, technical assistance, designing of marketing materials and communications, and guiding organizations creatively according to their strategic plan.

Email Address - lkasa(at)saveourshores.org

Higher Education - Laura received a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in environmental policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, in New York. Laura also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Villanova University.

Brad Hunt

Program Manager

Brad joins Save Our Shores with a background in marine policy and marine biology. He is passionate about ensuring the integration of scientific research into the marine policy decision-making process. His previous experience involved working on
southern sea otter policy and conservation at the regional and national level and other statewide marine issues, such as offshore oil drilling. He also assisted with establishing the California Ocean Protection Council’s Science Advisory Team. His
passion for the ocean began in childhood growing up visiting the beaches in North Carolina, where he would often see horseshoe crabs on shore. Brad is a certified master scuba diver and enjoys sailing on the Monterey Bay every chance he gets.

Email Address - Brad(at)saveourshores.org

Higher Education: M.A. in International Environmental Policy, with an emphasis in Marine Policy and Conservation from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of California at
Santa Cruz.

Lauren Dockendorf

Operations and Advocacy Coordinator

Lauren joins the Save Our Shores with a background in marine biology with an emphasis on marine mammals. Her passion for the ocean intensified while working on a local whale watching boat where she became more familiar with the extensive wildlife of the Monterey Bay. She has assisted with research at Long Marine Lab on elephant seals and studied on Año Nuevo island. She is a lifelong soccer player, an avid scuba diver and one day hopes to dive in Micronesia or try cave diving.

Email Address - lauren(at)saveourshores.org

Higher Education - Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with an emphasis on Marine Mammals from University of California Santa Cruz

Rachel Kippen

Program Coordinator

Rachel recently relocated to Santa Cruz to join Save Our Shores after spending the past couple years working in Education at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Through teaching informal marine science at a variety of non profit organizations, she feels privileged to have been able to explore the majority of California's coast. Rachel's passion for ocean conservation began at a young age while growing up in island environments in the Puget Sound of Washington as well as Oahu, Hawai'i. She enjoys spending time outdoors and volunteering and believes that volunteers are the best role models to inspire appreciation for our blue planet.

Email Address: Rachel(at)saveourshores.org

Higher Education: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands with an emphasis in Marine Conservation. Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Non Profit Management from San Francisco State University.

Dayna Zimmermann

Special Events and Development Coordinator

Dayna Zimmermann recently returned to her native Santa Cruz after graduating from The University of Washington, Seattle and living abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dayna’s love of the water and oceans began at an early age, sailing with her family in the Monterey and San Francisco bays, this led to her role as the Sailing Programs Coordinator for the Seattle Yacht Club. In her travels, Dayna has worked with a variety of non-profit organizations, marketing and producing events. She is as passionate about our rainforests as she is about our oceans and beaches.

Email Address - Dayna(at)saveourshores.org

Higher Education - Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative History of Ideas from University of Washington with an emphasis in Intercultural Communications, Cum Laude.

Marina Maze

Program Associate

Marina joins Save Our Shores with a background in Marine Biology from UCSC. Marina is a native of Boulder Creek, where she learned to appreciate and protect our amazing natural environment. Marina found her passion for marine debris while participating in the Sanctuary Stewards program in 2010, and since has focused on removing as much trash from the ocean as possible. In addition to Marina's local work with Save Our Shores and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, she found a higher sense of ocean love while living aboard a 60 foot Sailboat, American Promise along the coast of New England. Marina enjoys painting, music, biking and spending time at the beach with the people she loves.

Email Address - Marina(at)saveourshores.org