Meet the Wavemakers

The Wavemakers programme is a new initiative launched by Blue Marine, in partnership with Rituals and Edinburgh Ocean Leaders, to empower the next generation of ocean champions. Wavemakers are identified across Blue Marine’s project sites for their exceptional work in marine conservation. Meet the ten Wavemakers joining this year’s programme and read about their backgrounds and experience below.

Wavemakers cohort

Name: Shoneé Howell

Bio: Shoneé is a Marine Biologist with a Master’s degree in Marine Spatial Planning and Management and over seven years of experience in coastal and marine management. Based at the Coastal Zone Management Unit in Barbados, she works on marine conservation, coastal development, monitoring programmes and policy related to coastal and marine ecosystems. Raised in the Caribbean, her background informs her strong interest in ocean governance, environmental consulting and sustainable blue economy development in the region.

Name: Pablo Fajardo

Bio: A marine biologist from Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile, Pablo’s work focuses on conservation and sustainable development of island and marine ecosystems. He supports local conservation projects, works closely with artisanal fishing communities and contributes to environmental education initiatives. His interests include assessing human impacts on marine ecosystems and addressing marine invasive species around Robinson Crusoe Island.

Name: Frida Lara Lizardi

Bio: A Marine Biologist with a master’s degree in Marine Ecology and a PhD in Marine Sciences, Frida is a specialist in shark migration and connectivity. She is a board member of Migramar and co-founder and Science Coordinator of Orgcas, where she leads shark conservation initiatives in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, particularly in the Gulf of California. Her work focuses on translating scientific research into effective conservation policy.

Name: Natasya Caterina

Bio: Caterina is a manager at Raja Ampat SEA Centre Foundation and a community conservation leader based in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, Indonesia. She leads youth-driven dive education and conservation programs while supporting Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area (MPA) zonation enforcement, ensuring local communities, especially young people, are at the centre of ocean protection.

Name: Eamaan Rasheed

Bio: Eamaan (Eeko) is the National Coordinator for Protected Areas at Maldives Resilient Reefs, based at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in the Maldives. She holds a BSc in Marine Science from the Maldives National University and has experience in protected area management, stakeholder engagement and outreach. A former Conservation Officer for the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), she now supports the identification, designation and effective management of Protected and Conserved Areas in line with the global 30×30 target.

Name: Leslie Hickerson

Bio: Leslie is the Director of the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, where she leads conservation, outreach and education initiatives across the island. With a background in sustainable tourism and scuba diving instruction, she transitioned into conservation through volunteer work in marine research and education. Since joining the Foundation in 2020, she has played a key role in strengthening the organisation’s strategic direction, with a strong focus on youth engagement and education as a foundation for long-term environmental protection.

Name: Aeata Richerd

Bio: Aeata is a consultant and the founder of REVA ATEA, an initiative dedicated to making science open, inclusive and accessible. Her work focuses on bridging academic science with local and Indigenous knowledge through participatory and community-based approaches. With expertise in scientific project management and field monitoring, she supports researchers and communities in co-creating grounded programmes, driven by a strong commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration and shared knowledge systems.

Name: Lisa Gaymes

Bio: Lisa Gaymes is the Administrative & Operations Officer at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF), supporting the delivery of national conservation initiatives. Raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, her connection to the ocean was shaped early through diving and continues to influence her work. She is passionate about practical, people-focused conservation and believes that protecting the ocean begins with understanding, access and care rooted in island realities.

Name: Sebastián YancovicPakarati

Bio: Sebastián is a conservation leader from the Rapa Nui community in Polynesia, with a Master’s degree in Natural Protected Areas. He has over 14 years of experience leading conservation processes on the island and is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Chilean Committee. He has played a central role in the creation and governance of Rapa Nui’s terrestrial and marine protected areas and continues to support conservation that integrates cultural heritage, science and traditional knowledge.

Name: Ilektra Athinaiou

Bio: Ilektra Athinaiou is a Project Manager at iSea, an environmental organisation for the preservation of aquatic ecosystems in Greece. Originally from Nafplio, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology from Edinburgh Napier University and a Master’s degree in Marine Conservation from the University of Plymouth. She manages marine conservation projects in the Ionian Sea, focusing on science-based management and bottom-up approaches within existing and candidate Marine Protected Areas. Her work includes habitat monitoring and restoration, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and integrating research into informed decision making.