MEET THE TEAM
CLAIRE OLSON
Secretary/Beach Clean Up Coordinator
Ever since I was little my heart was tied to the ocean. In the second grade I told my dad to quit his job so he could help me save the ocean. Junior year of high school I created a ocean conservation club called Team Blue and even though I was the one informing my peers about the ocean and it’s importance, I was the one learning the most. In those last two years of high school I learned my passion for education and the ocean. Currently, I’m at UCSD as a senior planning to get a Marine Biology degree with a Science Education minor to further the spread of ocean awareness.
CASSIE PAUMARD
Founder, CEO, Marine Biologist
I was raised with the privilege of witnessing the duality of power and beauty the ocean possesses. The ocean has shown and taught me so much about the fauna that call it home, about humans, and about myself. I'm grateful to say the ocean is my passion in life, and why I strive to better understand it and protect it.
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I started Project Kolika with a goal in mind: to connect more people with the misunderstood world below the surface.
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Having graduated from UCSD/Scripps Institution of Oceanography with a bachelors in marine biology, I started my independent research on our local Shortfin Mako sharks, in order to better preserve this ecologically important animal. I'm hoping I can enlighten others to see the beauty and mystery of our oceanic world to further inspire its protection.
JOHN HARRINGTON
Cinematographer
Partnering up with Project Kolika, I, through 1Z Media, am helping to film their shark research efforts. With a focus on adventure video production, “1Z” has built a reputation for producing highly influential commercial content for the outdoor industries top brands. Check out my prints that help support Project Kolika's efforts in shark conservation and awareness.
LORRIE BENEDICT
CFO
Lorrie Benedict has been in the accounting field for over 25 years. She chose the business name, "Island Girl Bookkeeping," because she shares the "Aloha" spirit to all she works with.
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She has clients ranging from cafes, restaurants and bars, photography, real estate, wholesale and manufacturing companies, as well as working with non-profit organizations.
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Lorrie also cares for homes and animals on her spare time and lives in the San Diego County.
NICOLE MORRIS
Data Analyst Intern
Nicole Morris is an elasmobranch biologist and science communicator based in San Diego, CA. Growing up in the most biodiverse county in the United States, it's only natural that Nicole's academic journey began with a fascination with her local wildlife, particularly sharks and rays. Her research interests encompass a broad spectrum, including shark and ray biology, stress physiology, movement ecology, and social behaviors. Additionally, she harbors a deep-seated love for the ecology of her home of Southern California and is committed to developing efforts that get local communities involved in conservation.
She was accepted into the Advanced Inquiry Program and Miami University in 2021, and will graduate with her MA in biology 2024. In her program, she received hands-on education and training in field research, effective community conservation strategies, and many other valuable skills in addition to her biological studies.
SHARMAINE MAGSIPOC
Beach Clean Up Coordinator - Kona Chapter
I'm a freediving enthusiast and ocean lover lucky enough to call the beautiful islands of Hawaii my home. By day, I’m a labor and delivery nurse, helping bring new life into the world, but my passions stretch far beyond the hospital walls.
I love rediscovering those simple wonders we often miss as we grow up, and I’m passionate about helping others do the same.
One of my favorite sayings captures the essence of my love for the ocean and life: "There's nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent." It's a reminder that there’s always more beneath the surface, in the ocean and in life, waiting to be explored. This realization fuels my dedication to preserving the ocean's beauty and biodiversity, advocating for sustainable practices to protect our natural underwater wonders for future generations.
BRIANA SMITH
Photographer
COMING SOON
IAN RITTER
Photographer
I’m a global wanderer, shark lover, photographer, and airline pilot, in that order. Currently traversing the United States in a converted Toyota 4Runner named, “Ethel.”
Protecting wildlife is about sharing the natural beauty of animals, and showing how fragile our ecosystems are that support those animals. I believe when we join together to celebrate and responsibly use our resources, we ensure those resources will be available to enjoy for years to come. It's our world, the only one we've got, and it's worth protecting.