Meet the MCAF Fellows

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Through the Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF) Fellows Program, the New England Aquarium has developed enduring partnerships with proven conservation leaders to help them catalyze lasting conservation outcomes. We invest in MCAF Fellows through a multi-faceted approach that includes financial, technical, and professional resources to support the success of their conservation initiatives and the sustainability of their organizations. Through two-way mentoring, knowledge exchange, and community building the fellows share their expertise and best practices in effective and inclusive conservation. 

MCAF Fellows

MCAF Fellow Francklin

Francklin Barbier

Sea Turtle and Sea Bird Coordinator, Haiti Ocean Project

Tomas Diagne

Tomas Diagne

Founder and Director, African Chelonian Institute; Rolex Associate Laureate

Daniel Fernando

Daniel Fernando

Co-Founder and Director, Blue Resources Trust; Associate Director, Manta Trust

John Flynn

John Flynn

Founder and Conservation Director, Wildseas

Kerstin Forsberg

Kerstin Forsberg

Founder and Director, Planeta Océano; Rolex Laureate

MCAF Fellow Ani

Ani Henriquez

Executive Director, ProCosta

Nelly Isigi Kadagi

Nelly Isigi Kadagi, Ph.D.

Director, WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program

Lucy Keith-Diagne

Lucy Keith-Diagne, Ph.D.

Founder and Director, African Aquatic Conservation Fund; National Geographic Explorer; Pew Marine Fellow

Ruth Leeney

Ruth Leeney, Ph.D.

Founder and Lead Researcher of Namibia’s Rays and Sharks; National Geographic Explorer

Andrés López

Andrés López

Co-Founder, Misión Tiburón

MCAF Fellow Ariana

Ariana McCarthy

Co-Founder and President, Costa Rican Alliance for Sea Turtles, Conservation and Science (COASTS)

Anna Oposa

Anna Oposa

Executive Director, “Chief Mermaid,” Save Philippine Seas

MCAF Fellow Issah

Issah Seidu, Ph.D.

Founder and Team Leader, AquaLife Conservancy

Shah Selbe

Shah Selbe

Founder, Conservify; Founder, FieldKit; Founder, SoarOcean Conservation Drones

MCAF Fellow Rafid

Rafid Shidqi

Co-Founder and Director, Thresher Shark Indonesia

Florence Vilches

Florencia Vilches

Researcher, Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas Argentina

Asha de Vos, Ph.D.

Asha de Vos, Ph.D.

Founder and Director, Oceanswell; Pew Marine Fellow; National Geographic Emerging Explorer

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