Gillian is an experienced senior executive and director with an extensive background in science and environmental management and policy, including as a previous Chief Executive of Cawthron Institute and Antarctica New Zealand.  She is also a certified Environment and Freshwater Commissioner. She has several governance roles in the science and not-for-profit sectors.  Having spent time working on tourist vessels in the world’s most pristine ocean environment, the Southern Ocean, Gill is excited by the opportunity Citizens of the Sea creates to contribute to understanding, communicating and protecting ocean biodiversity and health.

Originally from Namibia, Volker has spent his career in the seafood industry spanning five continents. He is currently the CEO of the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, New Zealand. His passion for the ocean was borne out of his favourite pastime in his youth, diving for crayfish on Namibia’s coast, and the connection built over time through fishermen and -women in many different countries interacting with him on and off the water. Safeguarding the health of our ocean, the lifeblood of our planet, supports Volker’s purpose of being a good ancestor.

James is the publisher of New Zealand Geographic, a media outlet regularly reporting on the ocean estate and developing technology to understand it better. As an offshore sailor he saw the potential for citizens to contribute high quality data and efficiently conduct ocean science at scale.

Originally from Switzerland, Xavier is a marine biologist with over 25 years of research experience across the Indo-Pacific. His work bridges coral symbioses, aquatic ecology, biosecurity, and molecular biomonitoring. Since moving to New Zealand in 2012, he has led pioneering research on environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess biodiversity and ocean health. A founding member of Citizens of the Sea, Xavier brings scientific leadership and infectious curiosity to the mission of making ocean data accessible to all.

With a background in enzyme biochemistry and over a decade in the genomics industry, Erin stepped beyond the research to champion citizen science. Driven by a deep passion for ocean conservation, she led an award-winning science outreach program in New Zealand, introducing high school students to the exciting world of marine eDNA. An avid sailor herself, Erin was inspired by the mission to build a global community of sailor-scientists, empowering everyday mariners to make meaningful contributions to the study and protection of ocean health.

Adele is an experienced leader with a track record of growing charities and commercial organisations. She is skilled at marketing, communications, advocacy and fundraising. She is a diver, mountain biker, trail runner and keen adventurer.