Marine Science & Non-Profit Leadership

Ellen has a diverse background in marine sciences, non-profit leadership, storytelling, logistics, and business operations. She holds an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in international logistics management from Maine Maritime Academy.

Ellen co-owns and operates Drift Oceanside Inn in Camden, Maine with her husband, and works in storytelling and impact operations for a startup company called Moms. She is deeply committed to volunteerism, especially work that supports environmental sustainability, promotes outdoor education and connection, or uplifts and highlights the unique abilities and contributions of women. Ellen serves on the board of Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative, the Megunticook Riverkeepers, and as a member of the Megunticook River Citizens Advisory Committee.

She lives in Rockport, Maine, with her husband, Casey; her two sons, Forest and Anders; and her dog, Noodle. She loves the ocean and the woods alike, and is in awe of what a gift it is to simply be alive on this beautiful planet.

At the young age of 16, Ismail began his career in IT. Over time, he developed his skills to contribute to the ever-changing IT industry, and developed a wealth of experience along the way.

However outside of IT, his found a love of fishing. He found that it brought him peace and joy, and slowly began to appreciate the importance of the health of the ocean. Ismail felt inspired to begin advocating for the environment by promoting sustainable reef and sports fishing. Highlighting the dangers of overfishing and other environmental challenges, led him to also take on the position of a fishing charter operator with Triton Tours.

Whilst still working within IT sector, Ismail has observed the drastic impacts of fishing and wants to find a way to spread awareness within the sport fishing community too.

Rifath Mohamed is a laundry assistant at a health centre. Originally from Faafu atoll, he has a positive outlook on conservation and believes that together we can do anything!

He is driven by his passion for the ocean and wanting to see the water clear from pollution. He hopes that this programme will enlighten him with new ways he can approach plastic pollution to restore the environment.

With this knowledge he wants to find ways to actively engage and communicate with his local community about the importance of protecting the ocean, as this in turn will help protect their livelihoods.