Shanna Blanchard is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Projects at JBRPC. At JBRPC, she oversees program and partnership development and management in support of 10,000 acres of public parkland in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway in NYC. She has experience with numerous park-based organizations and strongly believes that parks are critical urban infrastructure. Shanna loves all coastal ecosystems and growing up in NC, regularly visited (and still does!) the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Shanna loves that her work supports similar coastal environments in NYC, a national park among them, and finds the urban context a constant and exciting challenge.

Born in Mexico City, Emilio has studied seabirds all across the globe. His bachelor’s thesis at the National Autonomous University of Mexico was in the ecology and behavior of the Elegant Tern at Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California. His PhD research studied the ecology and behavior of the Magnificent Frigatebird during chick development in Isla Isabel, off Mexico’s Pacific Coast. For five years, he worked to study and conserve seabirds in the “Seabird Capital of the World,” New Zealand.

Emilio moved to New York City in 2008 and soon after volunteered on several different NYC Audubon Harbor Herons projects under the direction of Dr. Susan Elbin. Since 2011, he has been conducting surveys of the American Oystercatcher population in Breezy Point, Queens, as well as assisting with field work for several other NYC Audubon conservation projects, including testing bird-friendly glass at their testing tunnel at the Bronx Zoo from 2014 to 2016.

Warren Sampson is a twelve-year Marine Corp veteran and is the co-founder of the Laru Beya Collective. He founded Laru Beya with his cousin Aydon Gabourel in 2018, when they noticed a lack of access to surf and swim programs for local Rockaway youth–particularly from BIPOC communities. They created a non-profit that offers free surf and swim lessons, including breakfast & snacks, transportation, equipment, and mentorship to local children. Warren is a full time student at Fordham University, and dedicates his weekends and free time to coaching and mentoring for Laru Beya. His goal is to provide a safe and happy space for the kids and their families, and expose them to as many diverse experiences as possible to help them become well-rounded and environmentally conscious young adults.

Saylor Pochan (they/them) is a volunteer chapter leader for Surfrider NYC. They were at the forefront of the community activist movement that recently defeated the Williams pipeline proposed for NYC waters and remain committed to the fight against fossil fuels. Saylor works at the intersection of the Surfrider mission and environmental justice and has played an instrumental role in guiding the organization to become a better ally. Additionally, they manage the Blue Water Task Force, a team of volunteer community scientists who test the water of Rockaway beaches to monitor water quality and safety. A resident of Far Rockaway, Saylor is deeply involved in the local issues and focused on developing solutions to uplift the community.
 

Leaving Scotland to chase waves around the world, Nikita settled on New York City as her new home break. Having always believed that we should protect what we love, it was only a matter of time before she found her way to the Surfrider Foundation. Nikita started volunteering with Surfrider by leading a victorious campaign to defeat Port Ambrose, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) port proposed for off the coast of NY. In 2016, Nikita was elected Chair of the NYC Chapter where she has focused on growing the chapter through encouraging an inclusive community, expanding the chapter’s agenda, and creating strategic partnerships. Nikita has also worked to elevate the contribution that the chapter makes to the broader environmental movement, primarily through coalition work, and she represents Surfrider within the People’s Climate Movement NYC. Nikita has amplified the work of Surfrider Foundation broadly including at SXSW, the UN Youth Assembly, VICE and is a recipient of the 2015 Wavemaker Award in Environmental Leadership and 2019 Wavemaker in Chapter Leadership. Professionally, Nikita works in the social impact sector.