Interim Executive Director CNE, Broker/Realtor, Intracoastal Realty
Areas of Expertise
Fundraising
Social Media Outreach
Public Relations
Tricia received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is a real estate agent for Intracoastal Real Estate.
She has spearheaded fundraising events since Plastic Ocean Project’s inception and is responsible for successfully meeting the financial demands necessary to join Algalita Marine Research Foundation sail across the North Pacific in 2009, collaborate with Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences North Atlantic cruise in 2009, sail across the South Atlantic in 2010 with 5 Gyres Institute, and annual North Atlantic cruises 700 miles off the coast of North Carolina. She lines up venues for our What Goes Around, Comes Around science through art installation that is currently on tour across the United States and organizes speaking events for POP, Inc. to people of all ages and grade levels. Tricia also helps manage our social media including Plastic Ocean Project’s Facebook and Instagram.
Backpacking around the world in some of the more remote places on the planet, Monteleone photographed rivers and beaches spoiled by marine litter. Everywhere she went she was confronted by plastic pollution even in the most beautiful and underpopulated locales. Monteleone has shared detailed accounts on the problems with plastics on the terra ferma in distant regions of the world that only fuels her commitment to POP, Inc. She believes it is from the same brilliant ingenuity that created plastics that will help us come up with solutions to plastic marine pollution.
Executive Producer of
“If the Ocean Could Talk” in production and the award winning “356” documentaries
After journeying nearly 10,000 nautical miles, through 4 of the 5 global oceanic gyres, over the course of 3 years, Bonnie Monteleone started her fight to end plastic pollution when in September 2012, together with Paul Lorenzo, she founded the Plastic Ocean Project.
She has since traveled the world equipped with her tales of a plastic ocean and her artwork teaching people about the threat of marine debris.
In the 17 years since she started her journey, she has inspired thousands of people, all over the world, to get involved and help solve the problem of plastic pollution.
Executive Director Assistant Head of Education & Events
Wilmington, NC
Areas of Expertise
Marine debris & plastic pollution
Marine biology
She received her Associate degree in Environmental Studies from FLCC. Emily then transferred to Coastal Carolina University and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science.
As Executive Director Assistant for POP, Emily manages upcoming events and administrative duties. She also actively assists in the lab and with educational outreach events.
She recently participated in plastic debris field research at Katmai Grizzly Bear Nature Preserve in King Salmon, Alaska, through a joint initiative with Ocean Plastic Recovery Project and Plastic Ocean Project.
Head of Scientific Research, Lab Manager, Communications
Wilmington, NC
Areas of Expertise
Marine debris & plastic pollution
Environmental education
Animal husbandry
Kayla graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 and holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in marine biology and the other in environmental science.
She started working with Plastic Ocean Project as a HWY 421 clean up volunteer in 2020.
Kayla serves as Head of Scientific Research for POP and is responsible for overseeing research projects, fostering professional collaborations, acquiring grant funding, and student lab supervision/training.
She has also taken over the role as Communications Coordinator for POP and is responsible for maintaining the website, sending out bi-weekly newsletters, keeping up with our social media, and sharing our work with the press.
Education
UNC-Wilmington, B.S. Marine Biology
UNC-Wilmington, B.S. Environmental Science
Publication
Kurki-Fox, J.; Doll, B.; Monteleone, B; West, K. N.; Putnam, G.; Kelleher, L.; Krause, S.; Schneidewind, U. Microplastic Distribution and Characteristics Across a Large River Basin: Insights from the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA.Science of the Total Enivronment. 2023, 787, 162940.
Marisa graduated from UNCW in 2012 with a degree in Philosophy & Religion. She began volunteering with Plastic Ocean Project in 2018 at beach cleanups and became a gala committee member for the annual For The Ocean Gala in 2023.
In 2024, she officially joined the team to manage POP memberships, research, write, and develop a grant funding strategy. She will lead the committee for the annual For The Ocean Gala Fundraiser in 2025.
Marissa Ernst is a dedicated and knowledgeable planning professional with a Master of Public Administration from UNC Wilmington, specializing in Coastal Planning, Public Policy, and Land Use. With experience as a Planner II for the Town of Leland and MPA Fellowships in both planning and human resources, Marissa brings a well-rounded perspective to local government operations. She excels in site planning, ordinance interpretation, GIS analysis, and community engagement, and has a proven ability to communicate complex environmental and policy issues clearly to stakeholders.
Marissa has been actively involved with the Plastic Ocean Project since 2015, reflecting her deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation and plastic pollution awareness. In 2024, she took a step back from her professional planning career to fully dedicate her time and skills to supporting and growing this nonprofit organization she cares so deeply about.
Marissa is also a long-time volunteer with the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to sustainable coastal development, environmental education, and community-driven conservation initiatives.
Andres obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with a concentration in Marine Conservation from UNCW. Living in a costal town is not an accident for Andres. Since an early age, Andres developed a deep connection with marine environmental
restoration topics. His personal mission is to leave the world a little better than he found it.
Andres first joined POP as an intern and later as a Lab Assistant where he is actively assisting laboratory work as well as field projects. He is currently assisting in a field project to measure the carbon sequestration of a re-vegetation project at the local landfill.
Jenna is a branch administrator partnering with Financial Advisor Sarah K. Baker, serving the Wilmington and Hampstead communities. With over a decade of professional experience across various fields including business administration and non-profit leadership, she is most passionate about choosing roles where she can make a difference in the lives of others. She recently made the decision to also go back to school for her Masters of Business Administration through UNCW, and she is eager to apply the strategies and expertise to make a scaling impact on Plastic Ocean Project.
With an interest in waste diversion/mitigation since a young age, Jenna began as a Trees4Trash volunteer when she moved to Wilmington in 2021, and she quickly became engrossed in the science-based solutions POP helps us all be a part of. Here at POP, she is dedicated to helping make others feel EMPOWERED in their personal and environmental health. Jenna deeply believes in education, advocacy, and the power of community. In 2023, she was distinguished by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce as a 40 Under 40 Honoree for her commitment to the local community.
Chelsea brings a unique blend of business and health coaching experience, along with a deep passion and heartfelt commitment to Plastic Ocean Project. A National Board Certified Health Coach with a background in business management, she considers her life’s work to be supporting both people and planet in achieving greater health and wellbeing.
Chelsea currently serves as a Virtual Health Coach with Teladoc Health, helping members across the US set and reach their wellness goals. With over 20 years experience supporting small business operations and more than a decade of nonprofit volunteer work, she brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge – from managing equipment operators and surf instructors to coaching individuals on their personal health journeys.
Known for her compassion, strong interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, and self-motivation, Chelsea plays a key role in supporting the growth and sustainability of POP, continually striving to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world.
Lindsey McCoy has a master’s degree in nonprofit management and spent 10 years working on environmental education in the Bahamas, islands full of single-use plastic.
She and her sister co-founded a company, Plaine Products, that offers shampoo, conditioner and body wash and lotion in aluminum bottles that can be returned, refilled and reused.
She is currently on the Board of the Friends School of Wilmington and has been a crew member for eXXpedition – an all women crew non-profit that recruits women to travel the world studying microplastics around the globe.
Brian Morgan is a passionate leader and strategic thinker dedicated to environmental and community change. With over twenty years of experience as a founder, nonprofit pioneer, and business advisor, he guides organizations through growth, restructuring, and mission‑driven impact. His work blends executive‑level strategy with a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative community‑centered innovation.
As an active board member of Plastic Ocean Project, Brian plays a key role in organizational development, governance, and financial health. He recently spearheaded the legal restructuring that created POP’s new single‑member LLC, a move designed to expand capacity, support earned‑revenue programs, and strengthen long-term sustainability. His insights ensure environmental initiatives are backed by solid business fundamentals and a clear operational plan.
Beyond POP, Brian serves as Treasurer for Plus Nature, Inc., where he helped establish a compliant, fundraising-ready organization focused on protecting biodiversity through nature-based solutions. His leadership was instrumental in building the organization’s financial systems, accountability standards, and mission-aligned strategies.
Brian’s broader career spans founding and scaling companies across real estate, consumer products, and creative industries, with a focus on sustainable growth, innovative problem-solving, and cross-sector collaboration. The same principles he applies in entrepreneurship: build responsibly, operate transparently, and lasting impact drive his work in environmental advocacy.
Keith is a third-generation Wilmingtonian that has always had a passion for the preservation and protection of our natural resources but he did not become an activist until getting involved with The Plastic Ocean Project.
Having practiced real estate law for 25 years, he found a worthy purpose for his time, energy, and resources as his life changed directions. Armed with a BA in English from UNCW and a Juris Doctor degree from NCCU, he seeks to do justice and help others.
His Superpower is delivering smiles and kindness while using his experience to help others the best he can, mentoring young people along the way.
Education
UNC-Wilmington, B.A. English
North Carolina Central University, J.D. Real Estate Law
Laura Dodd serves as a director of strategic client development for Fifth Third Private Bank’s Business Transition Advisory Team. She is responsible for helping high-net-worth business owners navigate through the transition and sale process, focusing on both the personal and financial impacts before and after transition.
Laura previously served as a senior vice president and senior relationship manager at City National Bank, a division of Royal Bank of Canada. She managed and advised corporate banking clients in the aerospace, defense and government services industries across the country, providing companies with insights and expertise in support of business growth, recapitalizations, acquisition financings and risk reduction.
Prior to City National Bank, she was a vice president and relationship manager at Bank of America in San Diego, serving business banking clients in a diverse group of industries. During her tenure at Bank of America, she also served as a commercial associate for middle market banking as well as a senior financial
analyst.
Laura began her career as the controller and marketing manager for her family’s business, Carolina Pest Management, in Monroe, North Carolina. The company was founded by her great-grandfather in 1939 and remained under family management by her two sisters until 2021, with the sale of the business to Rollins.
In 2021, she was selected for American Banker’s “The Most Powerful Women in Banking: Next” list.
Education
UNC-Wilmington, B.A. Business Administration – Finance/Marketing
Paul is a retired Accountant and business owner of Cortland Bookkeeping and Tax Service. He lives in Cortland, NY, the near geographical center of the state. He is the co-founder of Plastic Ocean Project, Inc, founded in 2012.
Paul’s contributions to Plastic Ocean Project, Inc. have been the backbone to the non-profit, compiling the paperwork to create our 501c3 status, providing leadership as president on and off since its inception in 2012. His commitment to community and the environment goes beyond this rapidly growing NGO.
Paul is on the Board of Trustees for the Cortland YWCA, has served on the Cortland Water Board, the community Historical Society, and has volunteered decades for the United Way. Though he lives in his fair city of Cortland, landlocked from the ocean, his passion for the success of this nonprofit has no boundaries.
For twenty years, Sue Kezios served as the Director of MarineQuest, a preK-12 marine science educational outreach program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As director, she secured more than half a million dollars in grant funding specifically for programs focused on plastic marine debris education.
The discovery of micro and nano plastics in mammalian placental and embryonic tissues is of particular concern to Dr. Kezios who holds a PhD in developmental biology, specializing in control mechanisms of cellular differentiation and disruptions in normal embryonic development.
Sue spent her early career conducting laboratory research for the
NIH, NMRI, and National Arthritis Association before transitioning to
science education. The lack of meaningful science education in public schools during the 1990s led Dr. Kezios to create KinderScience R , a hands-on inquiry-based learning program that provided experiential education opportunities for children to explore and practice science.
Sue uses her extensive experience working with youth to advise POP’s efforts in education and engagement. This includes contributing to grant writing efforts, curriculum planning, and supporting the Trash’n Fash’n show.
Education
Princeton University, PhD. Biology
Hubrecht Laboratory (International Institute for Embryology), MSc
Saint Mary’s College of Maryland, B.S. Biology and Chemistry
Melissa Fry recently served as a sustainability and climate risk consultant for Federal agencies in Washington, D.C., and moved to Wilmington in 2024. She was responsible for managing sustainability programs and wrote climate literacy articles to educate the workforce on the science and impacts of climate change. She led a team to build a tool to screen for climate risk to critical facilities and conducted in-depth assessments to improve resilience.
Melissa previously worked as an environmental analyst for the US Navy, mitigating or preventing encroachment against Navy equities and assets. This involved deep understanding of ocean resources, energy projects, and coordination amongst diverse stakeholders.
Prior to the Navy, she was an environmental compliance specialist for an oil and gas company on the Gulf Coast. Melissa coordinated with regulatory agencies to track and ensure compliance for water discharges and hazardous waste management.
Melissa is passionate about environmental stewardship and enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking and scuba diving. She is currently pursuing creative projects including writing a novel.
Education
Virginia Tech, MS Natural Resources & Global Sustainability
Kevin holds an A.S. in Nursing and a B.Sc from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in clinical research and is a Global Project Manager for Harvest Integrated Research Organization (HiRO). Additionally, he is the manager of local soccer club
FireAnts FC in the Wilmington Adult Soccer League.
He has worked in critical care nursing for 15 years before moving into clinical research and found the Plastic Ocean Project team through his time at Surfrider Foundation- Cape Fear Chapter. Kevin spent a period of time with Surfrider’s board as Rise Above Plastics campaign chair where he worked on a plastic bag ban in coastal NC.
Kevin has surfed most of his life, predominantly growing up in South Florida before ultimately calling Hampstead his home with his wife, Suzanne and their 4 adult children. On multiple surf trips in Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and out to the Maldives, even the most seemingly untouched and beautiful areas are affected by plastic pollution. He hopes to assist POP on the Executive Board in a scientific capacity to broaden their agenda in their expansive fight against the scourge of microplastics in the environment.
Growing up with a retention pond in her backyard, Lauren developed an early appreciation for aquatic creatures. She spent hours searching for frogs in the mud and watching blue herons stealthily maneuver into position before striking their prey. As she grew older, she became increasingly aware of human impacts on the environment. Recognizing the urgency of protecting the oceans, she pursued a career in environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Lauren has held a wide range of positions, from AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador to Survey Technician to Event Planner. Along the way, she has developed diverse skills, including nonprofit management, environmental stewardship, donor cultivation, and social media marketing. She leverages her multifaceted expertise to serve as a “utility player” for POP, supporting the organization in whatever capacity is needed.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys taking underwater photos, which can be viewed at laurentippett.com and on Instagram (@laurentippett). Through her photography, she captures the beauty of oceanic ecosystems and highlights vital conservation stories.
Jason Andre is a marine biologist, filmmaker, and lifelong waterman who grew up on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, surrounded by a culture of surfing and fishing that fostered a deep respect for the ocean. He earned his B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2002 and went on to volunteer in animal husbandry and serve as a senior diver at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. He later directed marine science camps for UNCW’s MarineQuest program, blending hands-on education with environmental stewardship to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.
Jason’s passion for the sea has taken him around the world—surfing and exploring the waters of Hawaii, Fiji, Indonesia, Australia, France, Portugal, Peru, the Maldives, the Caribbean, and Central America. He has joined POP founder Bonnie Monteleone on expeditions from the Gulf Stream to around the Baja California Peninsula, where they’ve encountered sperm whales, blue whales, orcas, and swam with whale sharks. In every corner of the globe, Jason has seen firsthand the effects of plastic pollution on the beaches and waters he loves to surf, fish, and dive.
A longtime supporter of Plastic Ocean Project, Jason has collaborated with Bonnie since before the organization’s founding—producing their first public service announcement with a didjeridoo and some photos of entanglements, filming for the upcoming documentary If the Ocean Could Talk, editing and producing their short film Documentary 356, providing audio production for events, and performing with his band The Midatlantic to raise awareness and funds through concerts and POP Galas.
As the owner of Seven Season Films, Jason brings over two decades of experience in business, multimedia production, underwater and aerial cinematography, and creative storytelling. Certified as an Intermediate Freediver, Nitrox diver, Big Wave Risk Assessment Group Surf Responder, and Waterman’s Survival graduate, he combines real world ocean knowledge, scientific expertise, artistic vision, and a global perspective to advance POP’s mission of ending plastic pollution through science, education, and art.
Bill is a Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine. In 1988, he earned a Ph. D. in Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Miami.
He shifted to the University of California at Irvine in 2006 to serve as the Director of the Urban Water Research Center and as Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He currently retains appointments in Chemical Engineering, as well as in the Department of Policy, Planning, and Design in the School of Social Ecology.
Bill’s present research interests include carbon cycles in oceanic and fresh water, the application of free radical chemistry for the treatment and environmental photochemical fate of emerging chemicals of concern and disinfection by-products, and, the application of advanced oxidation processes for the ship-board (oil tanker) control of invasive species.
He has published over 250 papers and book chapters, and edited 8 books. In November 2011, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Education
University of Miami, Ph.D. Marine & Atmospheric Chemistry
Lisa is an Eastern NC native, a sailor, surfer, paddler, dive master and is steeped in the reality of the situation with plastics. She works at the Onslow County Waste Management Facility and brings the full understanding of the impacts of plastics as a waste management issue to the table.
She has received her educational background from UNC School of Government Chapel Hill in Financing Solid Waste Programs and Supervisory Management Program, as well as Clayton College of Natural Health for Naturopathy and Coastal Carolina Community College for Associates in Arts.
Her most recent work was doing global outreach as crew for eXXpedition Amazon. She received the 2014 CRA Recycler of the Year Award and has been volunteering for NCBS and Ocean Conservancy for 27 years now.
Education
UNC-Chapel Hill, Financing Solid Waste Programs
UNC-Chapel Hill, Supervisory Management
Clayton College, Naturopathy
Coastal Carolina Community College, Associated in Arts
Dominic Ventura, Ph.D. is currently President of Synovent Laboratories LLC engaged in consulting, development and manufacturing of drug and medical device combination
products. He received his BS, MS and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science. He has held positions in Operations, Quality Assurance and Research & Development during his 40 years in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to Synovent, he was the Vice President of Technology at Wyeth Laboratories from which he retired after 30 years.
Dr. Ventura’s current activities include directing Synovent Laboratories consulting services to the medical device and pharmaceutical industry in areas of development, quality, compliance, process excellence, and troubleshooting related to various pharmaceutical products. Dr. Ventura is also responsible for development of all policies, procedures and activities related to Synovent’s intellectual property development on combination products.
Dr. Ventura served as a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing Association (PhARMA) Drug Product Technical Group and its expert working team on Process and Analytical Technology. He was also the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Consortium for the Advancement of Manufacturing of
Pharmaceuticals (CAMP). Dr. Ventura was President of The PDA Foundation where he has been a member for over 20 years. He has previously served as Vice President as well as Chairman of the Foundation’s Grant Committee.
Dr. Williams received his Ph.D in Nanoscience from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His dissertation topic focused on biopolymeric nanoparticle arrays. He spent over a decade in the plastic processing industry where he designed and built processing and laboratory facilities.
With over 30 years of sailing experience and a love of the sea, Lee has a keen interest in the effects of polymer and additive degradation upon the environment. In his role as Director of
Research and Development at Triad Polymers, he worked directly with groups salvaging plastic waste from the worlds oceans for the purpose of recycling and re-purposing.
Education:
B.S. in Physics, Elon University 2002
Ph.D. in Nanoscience, University of North Carolina at Greensboro 2014
