CO-FOUNDER

Michael Stewart is a serial social-entrepreneur who has spent the last decade transforming the culture & business of surfing towards a truly sustainable model.

Michael has led the research and development for SustainableSurf’s award-winning programs. Before co-founding Sustainable Surf in 2011, Michael specialized in launching consumer & brand focused carbon offset programs for several companies , as well as sustainable product certification programs.

As a part of the initial launch team for UL Environment (a part of 120 year old non-profit Underwriters Laboratories), Michael managed the energy efficiency certification program for the world’s leading consumer electronics manufacturers. While at Carbonfund.org, Michael developed and managed partnerships with many Fortune 500 brands, including the ‘VW Forest’ campaign partnership with Volkswagen of America that reforested over 1,100 acres in the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, which planted 270,000 trees and sequestered 400,000 tons of CO2. While at Cooler Inc., Michael worked with Intuit, to integrate real-time CO2 footprint data of consumer purchases from financial data for their Quickbooks customers.

Underlying all these intentions is Michael’s lifelong passion for the surfing experience, his gratitude for the simple honest lessons it has to teach, and the pure joy that simply sliding around on waves provides. Michael lives with his family just outside the foggiest part of San Francisco, where he is constantly checking the tides, and seeking the perfect cup of coffee.

CO-FOUNDER

Kevin is a green business entrepreneur and a geologist. His passion is solving the problem of climate change, and his career has spanned this field: scientific research in Antarctica, carbon offset policy and development, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and Clean Tech startups developing technology to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Kevin’s underlying interest is in understanding how complex systems work and what is needed to create large scale change on a societal level.

Sustainable Surf grew out of the recognition that the solution to climate change needs a fun and interesting “low-carbon lifestyle”, which surfing can become. Kevin is also interested in all lifestyle solutions to climate change, such as biodiesel fuel, permaculture, and solar energy.

SEATREES PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Leah is a global environmental strategist with a background in science, advocacy, conservation, and storytelling. As Program Director at Seatrees, she collaborates with academic institutions, Indigenous stewards, and local communities across 13 countries to deliver restoration initiatives spanning six coastal marine ecosystems.

Leah collaborates with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to advance underwater 3D photogrammetry monitoring for coral reef restoration, and has led globally recognized programs with partners including Samsung, turning complex science into compelling stories of impact. She has also contributed to the development of a marine biodiversity credit methodology, powering an innovative conservation finance mechanism designed to protect vital blue carbon ecosystems.

A trusted voice in the climate and conservation space, Leah represents Seatrees through international forums, film panels, public speaking, and media, including an appearance as a subject matter expert with BBC StoryWorks in Kenya. She is particularly drawn to work that connects science and technology with Indigenous knowledge systems, while ensuring the people closest to a landscape have a leading role in decisions about its future.

Shaped by early work in remote Australia, Indonesia, and the Amazon, Leah’s environmental career has included marine protected area management, environmental policy, ecological fieldwork, wildlife rehabilitation, and directing an award-winning festival for UNEP. These experiences continue to inform a broad curiosity about the relationship between people and place. Beyond her professional work, her interests include live music, surfing, photography, nature-responsive design, and the relationship between external and internal ecology—including our capacity for self-healing.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alena is a marine biologist, surfer, and ocean conservation communicator who has spent the past five years helping grow Seatrees into a global platform for restoring and protecting coastal ecosystems.

As Communications Director, Alena leads Seatrees’ brand, storytelling, content, and communications strategy, translating complex restoration science into stories that inspire people to take action for the ocean. Her work spans film production, campaigns, global partnerships, events, and digital storytelling, bringing restoration projects from mangrove forests and coral reefs to kelp forests and coastal watersheds to life.

She has helped lead major storytelling initiatives with scientists, conservation partners, filmmakers, and global brands, and has played a key role in designing and launching the Sea House in Encinitas, a community space that connects people with ocean restoration through science, film, art, education, and events.

A first-generation Brazilian-American based in Encinitas, California, Alena’s background in marine biology and conservation spans projects in Australia, Indonesia, South America, and the United States. She is passionate about making ocean science accessible, building a culture of ocean stewardship, and using storytelling to remind people that restoring the planet can be hopeful, creative, and deeply human.

SENIOR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Growing up in Virginia Beach, Savannah developed a deep love for the ocean through surfing, boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. That passion led her to the University of South Carolina, where she earned a degree in Marine Science. Now based in Encinitas, CA, she brings a background in sales and a commitment to ocean conservation to their her at Seatrees. When not working, you can find Savannah beachcombing at low tide, surfing, running with her dog, or hanging at the beach with friends.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY MANAGER

Brooke brings a unique blend of storytelling, creativity, and passion to her role at Seatrees. With a background in environmental science and documentary filmmaking, she has spent her career translating complex ideas into engaging, visual stories that inspire action.

Before joining the team, she worked on media campaigns focused on regenerative ocean farming, marine mammal protectio,n and community-led restoration. Now, she leads creative content and community engagement for Seatrees, helping amplify the voices of our global partners and highlight the power of nature-based solutions.

When she’s not behind the camera, you can find her free diving in the kelp forest or kneeling over a tidepool (she’s a huge fan of sea stars).

FILMMAKER AND CREATIVE SPECIALIST

Alec is a filmmaker, visual artist, and photographer with over 10 years behind the lens. He has a wide variety of production experience working on projects from brand campaigns to documentary films. At Seatrees, Alec combines his pursuit of authentic, original storytelling with his love of wild places in an effort to inspire empathy and action in others.

Alec grew up in San Diego, California, which nurtured a love for the ocean through countless hours surfing, diving, sailing, and aimless floating. His favorite creative projects tend to involve amphibious camera operation and warm water. When he’s not in the ocean, Alec can be found running, cooking, or hanging out with his 2 cats, Poké and Ri.

SEATREES LEAD SCIENTIST

Orion is a marine biologist and conservation scientist based in Philadelphia, PA. Orion recently earned his PhD from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where he studied under Dr. Jennifer Smith. While at Scripps, Orion managed the Smith Lab’s Maui Nui long-term monitoring program and conducted fieldwork in Hawai‘i, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palmyra Atoll. For his research, Orion used 3D models of coral reefs to track ecological change over time and quantify coral reef resilience. He partnered with natural resource agencies and non-profits in Hawai‘i to incorporate this research into local conservation planning.

He is currently leveraging this skillset to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity impact of SeaTrees restoration projects. When he isn’t diving or doing research, Orion enjoys making pottery, hiking, hanging out with his dog Milo, and spending time with family.

OPERATIONAL CONTROLLER

Paul is an accomplished financial executive with 20+ years of nonprofit and cultural sector leadership experience, specializing in accounting, compliance, and strategic planning for organizations with budgets up to $36M. Proven record of strengthening financial systems, driving operational efficiency, and securing multimillion-dollar funding. Adept at building high-performing teams, guiding organizations through audits and regulatory compliance, and aligning financial management with mission-driven goals. Recognized for collaborative leadership, process improvements, and delivering actionable insights to boards and executives.

PARTNERSHIPS ADVISOR

Mark has been a board member of Sustainable Surf since its inception and has jumped in to assist the partnerships team with the tremendous growth of the SeaTrees project. In his 'day job', Mark is the Senior Manager, Sports & Outdoors Partnerships for FlipGive.com, a Certified BCorp based out of Toronto that helps youth sports teams and groups make and manage money. 

Mark's professional story is an alchemy of his liberal arts studies (MA, Environmental History), a digital career that lives at the intersection of commerce & cause, and a passion for the outdoors and sports. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and the mantra of "using business as a force for good", Mark has over 20 years of experience building products, teams and accounts from inception to market. 

Born and raised in Southern California, Mark currently resides in Carlsbad with his wife, two kids and two dogs. Mark is fueled by coffee - light roast Ethiopian, no room for cream - out of the water and is fueled in the water by his inability - after far too many decades - to adequately backside tube ride.

SPECIAL PROJECTS ADVISOR

Casson Trenor is a veteran international campaign leader and strategy expert who specializes in environmental causes, most notably ocean conservation. He focuses on creating technological solutions, artistic output, and unconventional partnerships to help drive impact. In recognition of his work, Casson was awarded the title “Hero of the Environment" by TIME Magazine.

His role at Seatrees is specifically focused on the development of technological platforms and cross-stack communication channels that improve impact and transparency throughout the biodiversity crediting process. Outside of the office, Casson spends as much time as he can traveling the world, cooking, and playing the handpan.