Our Team
Save Our Shores is comprised of a small team of passionate environmentalists who share a strong connection to our ocean and, in particular, our Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We thrive on enjoying all that the Sanctuary has to offer and protecting it for generations to come. We are scientists, ecologists, educators, conservationists, and members of the Monterey Bay community.
Katie Thompson
Executive Director
Katie grew up in the Midwest, spending her free time on rivers and lakes, yet always had a love for the ocean. This passion drove her to study biology at Oberlin College then acquire a Master in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. Katie joined Save Our Shores as Executive Director in 2024.
Katie has worked in the marine conservation sector for a decade and has developed an expertise in community-based conservation strategies and nonprofit management. In previous roles at The Ocean Foundation and Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, she focused on program management, international marine conservation strategies, and research. She is excited to bring this experience to her home in the Monterey Bay region where she has lived since 2018.
Katie is honored to lead the passionate team at Save Our Shores as we work to create a more resilient coastline for all.
Favorite marine activities: paddleboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, sunset walks on the beach
Email: katie@saveourshores.org
Calah Pasley
Development and Communications Director
Calah grew up in Turlock, California before her family settled in the Silicon Valley for her teenage years. As a child, she and her siblings relished visits to Santa Cruz beaches and the Boardwalk. She knew, even then, that one day she would make Santa Cruz her home.
Calah attended the University of California, Santa Cruz where she earned a degree in Environmental Studies. Before joining Save Our Shores, Calah worked at the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, where for more than a decade she helped foster the local community’s connection to the land.
At Save Our Shores, Calah oversees individual and major gift fundraising, as well as capacity-building communications and events.
Favorite marine activities: beach lounging, building sandcastles with her daughter, tide pooling
Email: calah@saveourshores.org
Leora Baumgarten
Finance and Nonprofit Operations Director
Leora grew up in Santa Cruz, swimming at Cowells beach and roaming the UCSC campus. She graduated from UCSC in biology and moved to Chicago for graduate school. She lived in Chicago for over 30 years where she earned a PhD in physiology at The University of Chicago, completed a postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois Chicago, raised a family, and worked as an entrepreneur and business owner.
In 2017 she had the opportunity to participate in Points of Light Civic Accelerator for social entrepreneurship which provided the foundation for work in the nonprofit sector. Recent work includes HR and operations consultant in both the private and non-profit sectors including a biotech startup.
At Save Our Shores she is responsible for day-to-day financial and business operations including accounting, contracts, grants, vendors, staff and insurance. Favorite marine activities: open water swimming, hiking, watercolor painting and spending time with family and friends enjoying the amazing outdoors Santa Cruz has to offer.
Email: leora@saveourshores.org
Krista Rogers
Program Manager
Krista is a Santa Cruz local who grew up in Capitola and attended the University of California, Santa Cruz where she studied marine biology. Before joining Save Our Shores she worked and volunteered in youth programs at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, where she developed her passion for engaging youth in marine science and connecting people with the amazing ecosystems of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
At Save Our Shores, Krista previously served as our Education & Outreach Coordinator. As Program Manager, she manages the education, volunteer, and outreach programs, engaging the community in learning about and protecting their beloved Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Favorite marine activities: tide pooling, snorkeling, and kayaking
Email: krista@saveourshores.org
Andrea Dempsey
Education Coordinator
Andrea grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her most frequented beach with family and friends was Ocean City, New Jersey. Since childhood, Andrea has been intrigued by the ocean.
Andrea attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and completed a degree in Marine Science with a minor in Professional Writing. While studying marine science in a landlocked state, Andrea was able to take field courses at Chincoteague Bay Field Station, which provided hands-on learning opportunities and experience. Andrea fondly remembers learning about the Monterey Bay in college, and was stoked to move here in Summer of 2019 for an environmental educator position with Camp SEA Lab. Andrea worked with Camp SEA Lab, Kayak Connection, Web of Life Field School, and O’Neill Sea Odyssey, where she grew her communication and education Skills.
At Save Our Shores, Andrea is part of the programs team, focusing primarily on delivering engaging marine science curriculum in order to foster stewardship through knowledge and awareness in the K-12 community.
Favorite marine activities: tide pooling, swimming, kayaking, and sailing.
Email: andrea@saveourshores.org
Sam Rupel
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Sam (she/her) grew up galavanting around the Bay Area from Point Reyes to Big Sur, hiking, backpacking, tide pooling, splashing and digging in the dirt.
She loves people and she loves nature, that's what first brought her to her role at Ethos, our local Santa Cruz low-waste living shop + refillery and what brought her to her current role here with Save Our Shores. She believes that individual action is incredibly impactful within our community and, together, we can drive large-scale change.
Favorite marine activities: tide pooling, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, splashing, and castle-ing.
Email: sam@saveourshores.org
Santiago Meza
Education Associate
Santiago was born and raised in Capitola, always staying active by participating in multiple sports and being outside. After graduating from Harbor High School in 2022, he left Santa Cruz to attend Santa Monica College. Moving back home, he transferred to UC Santa Cruz, where he is currently majoring in Literature and minoring in Film and Digital Media.
Being away from Santa Cruz for a year and a half helped Santiago develop a newfound appreciation and love for the beach. He is very happy to be back in Santa Cruz and finds that the beach is a great place to write at. Outside of school and work, Santiago loves watching soccer, going to the movies, and writing.
At Save Our Shores, Santiago works with the youth of today in the Junior Sanctuary Stewards after-school program, helping them learn more about the marine environment they live in and teaching them how to protect it.
Favorite Marine Activities: Watching sunsets on the beach, hiking at Davenport beach, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway.
Email: santiago@saveourshores.org
Bri Mishin
Development & Communications Coordinator
Bri moved around frequently growing up, but after visiting Santa Cruz during high school she fell in love with the area and was thrilled to go to school at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She moved to New York after graduation but was almost immediately pulled back by the ocean and redwood forest. Before joining Save Our Shores, Bri participated in regular beach cleanups and started her career as a research ethicist, engaging with local corporate and community liaisons as part of research collaborations.
At Save Our Shores, Bri focuses on organizing and executing beach cleanups for corporate and business partners, as well as facilitating the corporate engagement program. She also supports the organization’s marketing, communication, donation processing, and event planning needs.
Favorite marine activities: swimming, jogging, lounging on the sand & tide pooling
Email: bri@saveourshores.org
Featured photo by Michael Langhans