“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” - Harry S. Truman
The Team
The core team includes experts in coral reef ecology, social science, and business. The team has spent more than two years testing and perfecting methods for coral propagation and outplanting. Careers are important, of course, but we strive to keep a strong team dynamic of mutual support.
Our support team includes David Vaughan, a global leader in coral reef restoration, and Tom Weaver, dive instructor and business consultant. Mauricio Mendez of Costa Rica’s El Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC), del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE), provides advice on marine and coastal zone regulations.
Joanie Kleypas, PhD
Director
Joanie is a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder CO, and studies how climate change and ocean acidification impact coral reefs. She has conducted research on coral reefs for more than 30 years, and now concentrates on finding solutions to coral reef decline.
Álvaro Terán
Fundraising Manager
Álvaro is an entrepreneur and agricultural engineer with nearly 10 years of experience in businesses that promote ecological sustainability, including projects in aquaculture and reforestation. He is currently with Martec Industries.
Dominique von Köller
Legal Advisor
Domi does all legal matters for RCCR. She has a bachelor’s degree in Law from University of Costa Rica and is a specialist in human rights and environmental law. She is currently completing her Licenciatura on the topic of environmental taxation.
Valeria Román
Coral Gardener
Vale is a naturalist guide that has lived in Puerto Jiménez for many years. She started supporting RCCR as a volunteer and is now one of our coral gardener.
José Luis Vega
Coral Gardener
José is from Puerto Jiménez and works as a tour guide in Corcovado National Park. He started supporting Raising Coral in 2021.
Tatiana Villalobos
Project Manager
Tati completed a Master's degree at the University of Costa Rica that addresses reef restoration and how local communities can positively impact reefs. Her goals are to incorporate coral reproduction and genetics into restoration efforts.
Jorge Cortés Núñez, PhD
Coral Reef Expert
Jorge is a professor and co-Director of the University of Costa Rica's Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR). He is a world-renowned expert on Latin American coral reefs, and has published several books and many papers on the coral reefs of Costa Rica.
Mónica Gutiérrez
Executive Assistant
Moni has a master’s degree in Sustainable Development and is a skilful project manager. Her experience in social responsibility and environmental protection contribute greatly to the implementation of Raising Coral’s different projects.
Coral Gardeners
Mónica Solano
Coral Gardener
Mónica is originally from Puerto Jiménez. She is a trained stylist, but she started supporting Raising Coral as a coral gardener in 2020.
José Andrés Marin Moraga
Project Manager
José Andrés completed a Licenciatura at the National University of Costa Rica, where he researched land-based techniques for propagating corals. He is currently the project lead of a pilot coral restoration project in Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
Marylaura Sandoval
Project Manager
Marylaura is a marine biologist who focuses on the restoration of coral reefs, seagrasses and and mangroves. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Community Development at National University of Costa Rica.
Valeria Quesada Phillips
Research Assistant
Vale is a marine biologist, who is persuing a master's degree in Marine Science and Technology. She is intrested in the management and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems, specially in coral reefs and sea turtle populations.
William Zumbado
Coral Gardener
William is from Golfito and works as a tour guide in the Golfo Dulce. He started collaborating as a coral gardener in 2020.