Meet the Team

listed alphabetically

  • Emily Bittner

    Chaperone / Educator

  • Lynn Brown

    Board Member / Instructor

  • Damien Corbell

    Board Member

  • Shannon Draughon

    Director of Strategy & Risk

  • Chantel Early

    Human Development Specialist

  • Vicky Fong

    Instructor

  • Lexi Fraser

    Instructor

  • Tim Geistlinger

    Scientist

  • Bruce Hamren

    Educator / Dive Leader

  • John Heimann

    Instructor

  • Hannah Krohn

    Instructor

  • Whitney Hofacker

    Chaperone

  • Elizabeth Kroger

    Instructor

  • Staci Lewis

    Scientist

  • Doug McIntyre

    Board Member / Instructor

  • Devin Miller

    Instructor

  • Jaume Pons

    Scientist

  • Vincent Smith

    Director of Impact

  • Mimo Uehara

    Artist

  • Troy Udulutch

    Board Member / Instructor

  • Jim Wojtowicz

    Creative Director

  • Steve Young

    Dive Leader

WHALEFALL is comprised of a dedicated community of passionate volunteers united by a common goal: to ensure equitable education for all students and foster scalable solutions for marine conservation. WHALEFALL began as a high school pilot program in 2012, and has evolved over the years through many iterations. In 2025 WHALEFALL has a newly refined mission and includes a vibrant network of scientists, educators, policymakers, and community leaders, many of whom are experts in their respective fields.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that every student, regardless of background, deserves access to quality education that empowers them to understand and protect our planet’s marine ecosystems. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and innovative programs, we aim to empower the next generation of environmental stewards, while creating meaningful change that ripples across communities and policy landscapes.

Our work is grounded in collaboration. With over a decade of success and the dedication of many long-standing volunteers, we have developed programs that create real, measurable impact in students’ lives. As people witness the transformation firsthand—both in the classroom and in the real world—they are inspired to join us in advancing our mission. WHALEFALL continues to grow and thrive, thanks to the commitment of our diverse team, the invaluable contributions of our volunteers, and the unwavering belief that scalable solutions to marine challenges start with the education of tomorrow’s leaders.