Meet The Team

Briana Smith ~Educator/Photographer~

Being born and raised in California has given me the opportunity to connect deeply with nature and wildlife. With the hillsides and beach as my playground, I have always felt that being immersed in nature and observing wildlife is what inspires me. I was fortunate to have a childhood camping throughout National State Parks such as the Channel Islands, Big Sur and a variety of other wonderful natural places, where wildlife is diverse and ecosystems are protected. I learned about local animals in their habitats, but also about the many threats humans created for them. I always looked up to the people who committed themselves to educating the public about those threats, because I too wanted to help protect wildlife. Which brings me to why I am with the Saving Wildlife Project team. It is my goal to educate and inspire others about the animal's that need our voice. I will do so through using my second passion which is visual arts, as an amateur wildlife photographer and videographer. Sharing special moments I have under the ocean may inspire someone who fears it, to get out there and fall in love with it. Once they are passionate about it like myself, they too will become intrigued to protect. Like the great Jacques Cousteau once said, "people protect what they love" and we are in a time where our wildlife and environment needs that protection.

Cassie Paumard ~Founder/Owner~

Their eyes staring proudly across the horizon as they passed me with their graceful, streamlined bodies made me feel so at peace. Sitting on my long board, I could have reached out and touched them! Although, I did not want to disturb them in their natural habitat. Just seeing them and being chosen to be among them at such a young age had its own reward; placing my twelve-year-old hand on them wouldn't have made the moment better...nothing could. These graceful creatures, whom over 20,000 of them get slaughtered by people each year, came up to me. I was able to have a breath-taking experience with an entire pod of dolphins at such a young age.

In my adolescent years, I've always been passionate with all the diverse species of animals. I used to think I wanted to pursue the dream of every animal crazed four year old girl: be a veterinarian; looking back at my previous decision, there is a large sum of people that specialize in domestic veterinary work, but not so much in wildlife. I now dedicate my life to working with endangered species and majoring in oceanography/marine bio to conserve our oceans and inhabitants. My dream is to travel the world's oceans and preserve their infinite beauty, both inside and out.

Val Paumard ~Photographer~

I basically live in the ocean. It's my second home and when I see how badly it is being treated, I want to make a difference. I surf all the time and always have encounters with numerous creatures of the sea. I get to enter their domain without being harassed, and want to give back for all that the ocean does for me and millions of people across the world. It's our job to take care of the ocean and it's inhabitants by educating those who are unaware, and taking action in stopping the unethical situations that humans create which are detrimental to the health of the sea.

Kristina Middleton

~Blogger~

Growing up on the small island of Guernsey I enjoyed a sheltered, happy childhood during which I fell in love with the ocean and the beach. Due to its isolation however, l grew up longing to travel and experience exotic wildlife. At the age of 26 that flame glows as strong as ever. I have been lucky enough to work as a scuba assistant instructor in Australia, climb mountains in Indonesia, track and observe lemurs in Madagascar, and work alongside conservationists in South Africa.

I am a huge believer in education and community engagement as tools in promoting conservation and sustainable living. For this reason I truly believe in SavingWildlifeProject’s mission to strengthen the gap between us and wildlife.

Furthermore, I believe that inspiring the youth of today is crucial in our fight against extinction; they are the next generation of conservationists, so let’s teach them the right lessons! In summation, I love writing about conservation, talking about conservation, living conservation, and to be honest, I think I sleep conservation (and wildlife!).

Paige Drzemiecki

~Wildlife Angel~

Hello my name is Paige Drzemiecki. I am a veterinary technician who has been in the field for over 6 years. My love and passion are for the animals. Whether their on land or in the water, I love them all. During my free time I like to volunteer with various groups around San Diego including the Birch Aquarium. Working with animals is what I truly love to do and would love to continue and to grow from new and different experiences.

Meet The Team

Josh Caragher

~Director, Secretary, and Leader of Sea Urchin Removal Program

Ever since I was a little kid, I have always been fascinated with the ocean and the animals that live there. Blessed to have grown up on the coast of California, much of my free time consists of surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, visiting aquariums, tidepooling, and participating in beach cleanups. During my high school and college years, I became aware of the many significant threats the ocean faces, which motivated me to join the ongoing effort in creating long term positive impacts on the big blue. One organization that I was lucky enough to volunteer at was The Marine Mammal Center up in Sausalito CA, where I assisted veterinary staff with rehabilitating injured and ill Northern Elephant Seals, California Sea Lions, Guadalupe Fur Seals, and Southern Sea Otters. Additionally, I also found a passion for underwater photography while undergoing my scuba diving training. Through videos and pictures, I hope to inspire in others the same sense of wonder the ocean has given me all my life and consequently, spark a sense of enthusiasm and determination to help save and protect it.

Cassie Paumard

~Founder, Director, and President~

Credentials: Marine Biologist UCSD/Scripps Institution of Oceanography

In my adolescent years, I've always been passionate with all the diverse species of animals. I used to think I wanted to pursue the dream of every animal crazed four year old girl: be a veterinarian; looking back at my previous decision, there is a large sum of people that specialize in domestic veterinary work, but not so much in wildlife. Having graduated from UCSD with a bachelor's in Marine Biology, I'm aiming to get my PhD and have dedicated my life to protecting our oceans.

John Harrington

~Director, Treasurer,

and Cinematographer~

Partnering up with Project Kolika, I, through Project 1Z, am helping to film their shark conservation short film series. 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. https://www.project1z.com/shop

Briana Smith

~Wildlife Angel~

Being born and raised in California has given me the opportunity to connect deeply with nature and wildlife. With the hillsides and beach as my playground, I have always felt that being immersed in nature and observing wildlife is what inspires me. I was fortunate to have a childhood camping throughout National State Parks such as the Channel Islands, Big Sur and a variety of other wonderful natural places, where wildlife is diverse and ecosystems are protected. I learned about local animals in their habitats, but also about the many threats humans created for them. I always looked up to the people who committed themselves to educating the public about those threats, because I too wanted to help protect wildlife. Which brings me to why I am with the [Project Kolika] team. It is my goal to educate and inspire others about the animal's that need our voice. I will do so through using my second passion which is visual arts, as an amateur wildlife photographer and videographer. Sharing special moments I have under the ocean may inspire someone who fears it, to get out there and fall in love with it. Once they are passionate about it like myself, they too will become intrigued to protect. Like the great Jacques Cousteau once said, "people protect what they love" and we are in a time where our wildlife and environment needs that protection.

Sammy Anderson

~Wildlife Angel~

My name is Sammy Anderson. I grew up in Southern California going to the beach, tide pooling, and visiting the aquarium. I’ve had a passion for the ocean from a young age, and always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. I’m especially fascinated with sharks. I understood, even as a kid swimming with leopard sharks in La Jolla, that these amazing creatures needed to be protected. I went to school in Seattle, WA where I earned my B.S. from the University of Washington in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, with a minor in Marine Biology. Now, I’ve moved home to San Diego. You can find me volunteering at the aquarium and at a local hatchery, as I pursue my passion of marine conservation.

Claire Olson

~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 second year planning to get a Marine Biology degree with a Science Education minor to further the spread of ocean awareness.

Paige Drzemiecki

~Wildlife Angel~

Ian Ritter

~Traveling Ambassador~

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.

Sable Summerfield

~Wildlife Angel~

My name is Sable Summerfield and I am from Zimbabwe but I grew up in the beautiful mountain of Idyllwild in California. I have a deep love of nature, as I grew up in it, and I think that we should protect what is so vital to our happiness and lives. My goal is to try my best to save and conserve the natural world, and in hand, people from irreversible devastation caused by human influence. I am a nature photographer, aspiring conservationist, equestrian, and model and I hope to combine all my talents to lead people towards a more sustainable life.

Taylor Parent

~Wildlife Angel~

Since the first time I stepped foot into the water, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life studying the ocean and its life within. Although I love all aspects of the seas, sharks really intrigue me and I have found a deep love and interest in them. It is very unfortunate how many are being killed daily and I hope we can come together and change that. Many people fear sharks, but they are really such calm, graceful creatures that are not out to hurt us. I hope to go on and receive a degree in marine biology and help protect what I love most, the ocean.