Head Leadership
Chair
Hannah Henry
Hannah Henry is a coastal scientist, wildlife ecologist, and the founding Chair of The Wildlife Society’s Coastal and Marine Wildlife Working Group. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. at UNC-Chapel Hill, her research integrates coastal geomorphology, socio-ecological systems, and human decision-making to better understand how barrier islands respond to climate change and management interventions. She is particularly passionate about translating science into conservation strategies that support both ecosystems and coastal communities.
Hannah brings a broad interdisciplinary background in marine wildlife conservation, environmental policy, and science communication. She has worked across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and U.S. East Coast on projects spanning dolphin-watching compliance, sea turtle-safe fisheries, habitat modeling, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a B.S. from the University of Florida and an M.S. from Auburn University, where she developed expertise at the intersection of ecology, social science, and policy. Through CMWG, Hannah seeks to elevate coastal and marine wildlife issues within TWS, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support early-career professionals. She is committed to building a dynamic and inclusive community for those working at the land-sea interface
Vice Chair
Michelle Guins
Michelle is a marine biologist whose interest relies preliminary with marine mammal conservation research and policy. She received her B.S. in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech and is currently a master’s in environmental science student at Christopher Newport University, completing a thesis monitoring the haulout patterns of harbor seals in relation to environmental & temporal factors in coastal Virginia. She is particularly interested in the changing population dynamics and conservation of marine species alongside climate change. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, spending time at the beach or painting.
Open Positions:
Treasurer – Manages CMWG finances. Secures sponsorships and funding for events and programs. Oversees funding opportunities and awards (i.e. conference travel scholarships), ensuring financial support for students and professionals.
Policy & Conservation Committee
Chair
Olivia Trahan
Olivia is a junior at UNC Wilmington majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Science. Olivia is the current president of UNCW’s TWS Chapter, the Seahawk Wildlife Society, and Social Media Manager for the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program. She is also a Lab Research Assistant in the Population and Food Web Ecology Lab, where she conducts sea turtle bone aging and research. This summer, Olivia worked with the Soundwatch Boater Education Program on San Juan Island, WA to monitor and protect marine mammals, more specifically the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. She is very excited to have the opportunity to advocate for coastal and marine wildlife through the CMWG Policy Committee!
Legislation & Policy Research Coordinator
Anna Dubey
Anna Dubey is an environmental researcher and advocate based in NYC. She graduated from Brown University in 2025 with B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology. Currently, she works at environmental nonprofit Adamah as a youth engagement coordinator. She’s excited to spread awareness about conservation policy!
Policy Liaison
Wongibe Dieudonne
Open Positions:
Policy Education & Outreach Coordinator – Develops fact sheets, infographics, and policy summaries to ensure members are informed
Outreach & Communications Committee
Chair
Samantha Hamilton
Samantha is a research intern at Sea Otter Savvy and has supported the nonprofit with research efforts since 2022. She is passionate about improving human-sea otter coexistence on our coasts through a combination of research and outreach.
She graduated with a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University in 2023.
When she isn’t busy with research, she enjoys walking on the beach, baking, and practicing yoga.
Blog Coordinator
Sonia Duran
Sonia earned her B.S. in Wildlife Biology with minors in Geology and Nature & Heritage Tourism from Texas State University in May 2019. While pursuing her degree, she served as Historian, Vice President, and President of her dedicated student chapter of The Wildlife Society.
Sonia first became employed as a biologist for a small consulting firm in February 2019 and was granted the title of Associate Wildlife Biologist® in December 2020. In January 2023, she began her pursuit of an M.S. in Ocean, Coastal, & Earth Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Sonia is a NOAA Center for Coastal & Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II) graduate scholar, and the program funds her schooling and research efforts.
Her research is centered on the ongoing monitoring of a ~6,500-acre coastal wetland restoration project. She analyzes water quality parameters, habitat and vegetation dynamics, and benthic invertebrate community assemblages at the Far South Texas site, Bahia Grande, which is part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.
Website Manager
Jackie Ganter
Jackie Ganter is graduate student in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently studying the differences in space use of wild and rehabilitated sea turtles, as well as mammal community structure in coastal ghost forests. She also works with the Atlantic Marine Energy Center to investigate the potential interactions between marine energy and wildlife. When she is not studying, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing.
Newsletter Coordinator
Margherita Silvestri
Margherita Silvestri is a PhD candidate in Marine Biology at the Universidad Austral de Chile. Her research focuses on how underwater noise and vessel traffic affect the behavior of the Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) in Northern Patagonia. She is passionate about marine mammals behavior and communication and now she is dedicated to connecting local communities with science through coastal conservation initiatives. In her free time she loves being outdoors, experimenting with new food recipes, gardening and playing music.
Social Media Coordinator
Gracie Triplett
Gracie Triplett is an undergraduate student studying at Tarleton State University to get her Bachelor’s in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences. Gracie is a part of the Tarleton Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society and also is the social media officer for that as well! She is working on research with microplastics in nestling songbirds in Stephenville, Texas and after she graduates hopes to go to graduate school for marine science! Her goal is to work in coral habitat restoration and conservation. She has been having lots of fun creating social media posts and helping spread the word on the pages!
Open Positions
Discord Coordinator – Manages discord server to ensure content is uploaded and legitimate.
Membership & Professional Development Committee
Chair
Stephanie Crawford
Stephanie completed her MS in Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She has worked with a variety of amphibians and mammals in Virginia, and various Pacific species such as sea otters, seals, walruses, whales, and porpoises. She is currently part of UAF’s Marine Ecotoxicology and Trophic Assessment Laboratory studying mercury concentrations of sea birds in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. In her spare time, she likes to decorate cakes, and spend time with her 10 dogs.
Opportunities & Resources Coordinator
Melisa Lera
Meli is a biologist in wildlife conservation, mostly focusing on cetaceans, but has worked on projects studying penguins, sea turtles, whales and kelp forests. She is also an environmental educator and guide in Antarctic tourism (where she has polar-plunged). During her free time, she loves being outdoors, sailing, walking her dog, reading and swimming.