OUR TEAM

  • Leo brings more than two decades of experience in conservation, nonprofit leadership, and partnership building. His work has focused on biodiversity, climate change, marine debris, and ocean conservation.

    He has held roles at Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Conservation International, Global Environment Facility, and Ocean Conservancy, where he helped advance conservation strategies, build cross-sector partnerships, and support programs in the U.S. and around the world.

    Leo holds a Master of Science degree in Ecology, Conservation, and Wildlife Management from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil.

    Based in San Diego, California, he is happiest with his family, around the ocean, and hiking in the mountains.

  • With more than 20 years experience in environmental non-profit work—including marine conservation, coastal watershed management, community relations, and bilingual and sustainability education—Anna Cummins is an expert in the field. Her “Synthetic Sea, Synthetic Me” TEDx talk has been viewed and shared by thousands. Anna received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and a MA in Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute for International Studies.

Executive Director

Co-founder

  • Marcus has led expeditions around the world to research plastic marine pollution, co-publishing the first global estimate and the discovery of plastic microbeads in the Great Lakes, which led to the federal Microbead-free Waters Act of 2015.  He and Anna founded 5 Gyres with an 88-day journey from California to Hawaii on the Junk Raft, built from 15,000 plastic bottles. Earlier, Marcus had rafted the Mississippi River, writing about the river and his experience as a Marine in the 1991 Gulf War in the book, My River Home. His second book, Junk Raft: An ocean voyage and a rising tide of activism to fight plastic pollution recalls the rise of the plastic pollution movement, growing steadily today.

  • As a biologist and ecotoxicologist, Lisa has published her work in leading scientific journals, including PLOS One, Marine Pollution Bulletin, and Environmental Science & Technology. Using science to inform solutions in the US and around the world, Lisa’s research investigates the sources, fate, and effects of microfibers to the environment, and she brings this expertise to policy-makers and brands. Inspired by innovation, Lisa’s work helps vet new technologies to determine whether they are effective to reduce plastic pollution. In addition to being a leading scientist in her field, she is also a passionate sailor. Her favorite plastic-swap, both at home and at sea, is merino wool for apparel.

Co-founder & Scientist

Director of Science & Innovation

  • Victoria is an oceanographic researcher who studies how plastics move from the land to sea, and the impact they can have on marine ecosystems. Victoria holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island. She has been lucky to study plastics around the globe, including during a Fulbright research fellowship in Vietnam, and using seawater microplastic samples collected in the around-the-world Ocean Race. In her free time, Victoria enjoys backpacking, surfing, and going on adventures with her dog, Bosun. Victoria is excited to take her passion for research on microplastics to the next level with the 5 Gyres team!

  • Paulita most recently held multiple positions with the world's largest ocean conservation in the world, Oceana. In her last role, she oversaw plastic policy where her team swiftly led a successful campaign on the National Park Service to eliminate single-use plastics. Paulita also worked as a direct advisor to the U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on a climate initiative.

    Her career started in Belize where she published the first science on plastic pollution in the nation. She also oversaw a research team studying invasive lionfish in Crucian and Thomaian fishing communities. The Emory University study was funded by NOAA and drew from interdisciplinary science and community building.

    She now leverages her experience to develop and guide policy work for 5 Gyres. In her free time, she loves to spend time by the sea with her family.

Microplastics Scientist

Senior Strategist of Policy Initiatives

  • Melissa has over ten years of experience in the conservation sector. She was previously a Director of Conservation and a Field Representative work on plastics, offshore drilling and fisheries. Prior to this, Melissa established a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the engagement of San Diego active-duty military personnel in ocean conservation initiatives. Complementing her organizational endeavors, she has served as a science communicator for diverse non-profit organizations and private enterprises, amplifying awareness of the imperative to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable seafood practices.

    Morris holds a Master of Science degree in advanced studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Miami.

    In her spare time, Melissa likes to be outdoors with her husband, son, dog and family, ideally by the water and drinking good quality coffee. She loves to cook, bake bread and watch horror movies.

  • Ginger joined 5 Gyres back in 2015 as our part-time Office Manager and has grown along with our organization over the years. Otherwise known as our “Chief Happiness Officer”, Ginger is proud to be the person behind the scenes keeping the gears turning. Ginger has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from UCLA, and previously spent time volunteering on beach cleanups at Heal the Bay. Ginger’s favorite way to reduce her plastic footprint is to avoid fast fashion and instead go thrift shopping for unique, fun, and vintage looks!

State Community Advocacy Manager

Director of Operations

  • Sara began her journey with 5 Gyres in 2019 as the Development Manager on the fundraising team. Now serving as the Development Director, she brings her past experience with ocean-related causes and nonprofit ninja skills to her job everyday. She has helped grow the 5 Gyres budget to $1M+ through meaningful cause partnerships, foundation funding, and diligent supporter stewardship. Since the ocean is her backyard and playground, she is passionate about what 5 Gyres is working towards and loves setting a good example for her daughter, Charlotte, as well as future generations of environmentalists. Her favorite way to go plastic-free is beeswax wraps instead of cling film!

  • After being a 5 Gyres Ambassador for 8 years, Hannah joined the team to help amplify the work towards a future free from plastic pollution. Hannah grew up surrounded by the Great Lakes and has a passion for protecting her local shorelines since childhood. With a background in sustainability, arts & marketing, along with an interest in exploring the intersection of creativity & sciences, Hannah's work has focused on uplifting local and global action towards a plastic-free future. She creates art with plastic pollution found on beaches, has worked on social campaigns with various environmental brands & organizations, and founded a Michigan-based nonprofit, The Cleanup Club, focused on local action & advocacy.

  • Nick, having grown up near the New Jersey coastline, has held a lifelong admiration for the oceans and marine ecosystems and is an advocate for environmental protection and conservation. He joins 5 Gyres after completing internships with the US House of Representatives, the United Nations, and the Green Climate Fund, where he helped advance international sustainability initiatives and development. Nick is eager to support 5 Gyres by engaging with partners and stakeholders and providing programmatic support to help limit the impacts of plastic pollution on the oceans, ecosystems, and environmental and community health.

Programs Manager

Senior Communications Manager

Development Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Ashley serves as a Sustainability Project Manager with the City of Orlando's Office of Sustainability and Resilience. She will support myriad efforts across the Clean Energy, Green Buildings, Transportation and Water focus areas, drawing from over a decade of experience and expertise in sustainability project management, assessment and outreach. Prior to joining the city, Ashley served as Executive Director of Trash Free Maryland, the state's leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing policies and programs to reduce waste and eliminate litter.

  • Érico is a passionate operator, avid cyclist, and is often called part fish. After 10 years in the aerospace industry, from designing, building and managing fleets, he moved to the Bay Area in 2015 and has been dedicated to the growth of multi geography teams within financial inclusion, education, and energy efficiency. He spends his time as mentor and operations advisor to Skydeck Berkeley and making beach cleanups a morning ritual while walking his chocolate labrador. Hailing from NE of Brazil, Erico grew up on the coast where he developed a love for water sports, and also a sense of taking care of the environment and finding solutions to plastic pollution.

  • John serves as VP of Innovation at NYSERDA and founded Headland Advisors, which advises on investments in sustainability-focused opportunities. As an investor in and advisor to businesses in water, energy, and sustainable resource management, he formerly served in leadership and advisory positions at Natural Resources Defense Council and Locus Energy. His experience in renewable energy includes work as a consultant to the Department of Energy, as a board member and treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Solar Energy Finance Association (SEFA), and as an investment banker in the Global Energy Group at Credit Suisse.

  • Kathleen is a tech entrepreneur, environmentalist, and equality activist living at Ocean Beach in SF. She started collecting plastic fragments from surf spots around the Pacific in 2005 to educate consumers about plastic in our oceans. To promote equality, Kathleen produced an award-winning documentary, It Ain't Pretty about women in big wave surfing. She is the COO and co-founder of ecomedes, a silicon valley startup tacking sustainability for buildings, at the scale of software and data. She loves to be outside surfing and skiing with her husband Paul and 4-year-old son JJ.

  • Teresa leads the Oceans initiative for the Walton Family Foundation, which aims to protect oceans through sustainable, climate resilient fisheries. Before joining the foundation, Teresa was the seafood project manager for the Corporate Partnerships Program at Environmental Defense Fund, where she worked with leading seafood buyers to develop and implement sustainable seafood purchasing policies. She co-founded FishWise, an early leader in the sustainable seafood movement, and served on its board of directors. Teresa has a master’s degree in marine science and joint bachelors in environmental studies and marine biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She recently completed a certificate in Corporate Finance at the Harvard Extension School.

  • Pam Marcus is a dynamic entrepreneur and game-changer in the water bottle industry having founded Lifefactory®, Inc. in 2007. After years of working with infants as a neonatal feeding specialist, she became aware of the dangers of plastics, and combined with witnessing excessive plastic waste in hospitals, the idea for a glass baby bottle was born. Her passion for the environment and business experience has led to a teaching position at the Presidio Graduate School of Sustainable Management, Entrepreneur Mentor for their Think Beyond Plastic competition, and Senior Director of Consumer Products for the Think Beyond Plastic Innovation Forum and Business Accelerator. Her other interests include cryptocurrency, blockchain innovations, women's issues, and diversity and equality in the workplace.

  • Marta is a merchant and marketer with 35 years experience in multi-channel retail.  At Williams-Sonoma Inc she lead strategy & business development, was the President of Pottery Barn, and championed many of the company’s sustainability initiatives.  She recently retired to focus on a passion for planetary health and environmental activism.
    Marta can be found rowing on Corte Madera Creek or picking up trash and pulling invasive weeds in the adjacent marshes. 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR A PLASTIC POLLUTION-FREE FUTURE.