Our team is dedicated to promoting ocean conservation through education, research & marine mammal rehabilitation.
John Warner is a nonprofit leader with a professional background that includes senior development, program, and executive management positions for local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations and foundations. He was named CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center in February 2023.
Prior to joining MMCC, John served as Chief Development & Communications Officer and Interim Program Officer at The Marine Mammal Center in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to his professional career, John has served on various nonprofit boards and raised significant funds for causes he supports.
John holds a B.A. from the University of San Francisco and an MPA from San Francisco State University.
“One thing I love about the Marine Mammal Care Center is its unwavering commitment to giving sick, injured, and stranded marine mammals a second chance at life. The combination of expert medical care, dedicated rescue efforts, and public education creates a ripple effect—saving individual animals while also inspiring people to protect the ocean ecosystem as a whole. It’s a place where compassion meets action, and that’s truly special.”
Dave Bader has more than two decades of experience in informal science education and has played an integral role in developing and managing educational programs since beginning his career in 1998. As Chief Operations & Education Officer at the Marine Mammal Care Center, Dave is responsible for supporting staff and programming, including education, guest experience and hospital operations.
Throughout his career, Dave has created a suite of capacity-building opportunities for staff, university and agency scientists, and for informal science educators throughout the country. His diverse experience and background in marine science, conservation programming (including a program to save vaquitas from extinction), and education programming are the backbone of his passion for creating inclusive learning environments for youth and our community. He applies his extensive knowledge of science, marine biology, pedagogy, and inclusion in every aspect of MMCC’s education programming.
Dave has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in biology with an emphasis on educational media design from the University of California at Irvine.
Dr. Michelle Rivard is an aquatic animal veterinarian focused on clinical medicine, pathology and health of free-ranging marine mammals. She first joined the Marine Mammal Care Center as Director of Animal Health & Conservation in November 2024.
Prior to joining MMCC, Michelle worked as the organization veterinarian at SR3 in Seattle, Washington, providing medical management and care of stranded aquatic wildlife, performing postmortem examinations and participating in ongoing research projects.
Michelle attended veterinary school at Michigan State University and spent several years in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps after graduation. During this time, she provided veterinary care for Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security Military Working Dogs, as well as service members’ pets. In addition, Michelle was responsible for the installation of public health and food safety initiatives.
After her time in the military, Michelle transitioned to a career that focused on her passion for conservation medicine and free-ranging aquatic species. She has worked with a variety of aquatic and exotic species in field, rehabilitation and managed-care settings and trained with numerous wildlife response organizations. Her research interests include pinniped infectious disease and population health.
Originally from Michigan, Michelle loves exploring the beautiful state of California with her beloved dog, Halpert.
Dr. Mattison Peters is a veterinarian specializing in marine mammal health and conservation medicine. She first joined the Marine Mammal Care Center as Associate Veterinarian & Senior Fellow in July 2024.
Prior to joining MMCC, Mattison worked as a Veterinary Research Associate at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, where she focused on research related to antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease, and clinical medicine.
Mattison earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Wesleyan University and graduated from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University with a combined Master of Public Health degree. She performed her master’s research on Vibrio in oysters in relation to food safety.
Mattison is a hopelessly devoted Oakland A’s fan and enjoys spending time with her yellow lab named Liam.
DeAnna Bowlin is the Administrative & Development Coordinator at the Marine Mammal Care Center. In her role, she manages accounts payable, collects mail, makes cash deposits, assists with month-end reporting and supports other departments as needed.
DeAnna achieved her long-time goal of getting her bachelor’s degree later in life, and she is now enjoying the fruits of her dedication and commitment. Her personal goal is to find balance in her life so that she can give back to her family and community to enrich her own life and theirs.
A Southern California native, DeAnna likes to cook many different meals, as well as soups, vegan desserts, cookies and breads.
Susan has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit field. She has worked with other nonprofits in the healthcare and education sectors. She started at the Marine Mammal Care Center in 2023 as Data and Donor Services Manager. Her responsibilities include managing the donor database, stewarding donors and helping run events.
Susan has a bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in American Studies from Cal State Fullerton. She is also certified in Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and Raiser’s Edge NXT products.
Ruby Capek is the Development Assistant at the Marine Mammal Care Center, where she assists with donor communications, data management, event coordination, fundraising initiatives, and day-to-day organizational tasks.
Ruby earned her B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, with a minor in Environmental Science, from California State University, Monterey Bay. Shortly after graduating, she joined MMCC. Her background includes hands-on work in wildlife rehabilitation, ecological research, and marine conservation outreach. Her work across nonprofits and community organizations has shaped a strong passion for protecting coastal ecosystems and contributing to marine mammal rescue efforts. She is also a core responder with the Oiled Wildlife Care Network.
Alongside her field and animal care experience, she brings more than two years of administrative, customer service, and event support skills. She has coordinated logistics for community events, managed detailed databases, and supported leadership teams.
When she’s not at MMCC, you can find Ruby crocheting, exploring tidepools, relaxing on the beach, spending time with her cat, Clover, and being with friends and family.
Jaemin Chang works closely with each departmental team to drive the Center’s mission forward, bringing her administrative and legal expertise across various organizational functions.
In her role as Special Projects Manager, Jaemin supports and collaborates with staff toward meaningful impacts across the Center’s core programs, leveraging her business and legal background.
Jaemin holds a J.D. and MBA from the University of San Francisco.
Adam Fox is the Marine Mammal Care Center’s Senior Marine Mammal Responder. In addition to responding to sick, injured and orphaned seals and sea lions, he also supports whale entanglement response efforts as a NOAA-permitted Level 2 responder.
Adam developed a passion for applied science and marine wildlife while working on remote islands where he captured and collected data on seal and seabird populations. So far, he has worked with 12 species of pinnipeds in the field and continues to try to innovate and facilitate approaches to capture and sedation.
Adam is also a vet assistant and small boat operator, and holds a bachelor’s degree in fine art. In his free time, he enjoys working on boats and hiking coastal trails with his dog Finneus.
Mia is a dedicated Marine Mammal Responder with over a decade of experience in wildlife rehabilitation. She specializes in the rescue and response of stranded marine mammals and holds NOAA Level Two certification for whale disentanglement. As a trained responder with the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, Mia has participated in field operations during oil spills, including the 2021 oil spill in Huntington Beach. Her background includes work as a wildlife technician for the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center and hands-on care of large exotic terrestrial mammals in sanctuary settings. Mia brings a calm, skilled presence to every response, driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Korrina Guerrero is a wildlife conservation biologist with a passion for marine mammal conservation and health. She joined the Marine Mammal Care Center in 2021 as a Rehabilitation Technician, where she works hands-on to care for and rehabilitate injured and stranded marine mammals.
Before joining MMCC, Korrina gained valuable experience in wildlife conservation through a variety of roles. She interned and volunteered at the Aquarium of the Pacific, worked at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and participated in the California Wood Duck Project in partnership with UC Davis. These experiences allowed her to develop her skills in wildlife care, research, and public education, further fueling her dedication to protecting marine life.
Korrina earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis. It was during her time at UC Davis that she discovered her love for marine mammals, gaining the knowledge and expertise that set her on a path toward wildlife rehabilitation.
Outside of work, Korrina enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, or relaxing at the beach with her family and friends. At home, she loves cooking and hanging out with her two cats, Rikki Bobbi and Forest Gump.
Jules Léon has over 15 years of experience in marine biology, specializing in research, fieldwork and education. In his current role, he responds to sick, injured and orphaned marine mammals along the Los Angeles coast.
Jules’ passion for marine biology began humbly, volunteering as an aquarist at the Roundhouse Aquarium during high school. His passion deepened when he was accepted into the University of Hawaii’s Marine Biology program, where he pursued hands-on experience in diverse areas: DNA/RNA extractions from fish and invertebrates, shark tagging, scientific publication writing, remote fieldwork, taxonomy, and morphological studies using dissection techniques. He gained these experiences while working as a Research Assistant at the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology, the Pacific Bioscience Research Center and as a teaching assistant in the Biology Department.
After graduating with a degree in Marine Animal Behavior, Jules expanded his field skills to enhance his research experience in marine science. He became a SCUBA Divemaster, scientific diver, boat operator, lifeguard, and marine science educator during his time with Kaimana Divers, Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) and Reef Check. Jules further developed his field and sampling skills as a fish technician, surveying salmon in the rugged, remote wilderness of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
For the past four years, Jules has applied his marine biology knowledge and field skills to marine mammal work — first as a marine animal rescue specialist with Marine Animal Rescue, and then as an education coordinator with the Marine Mammal Care Center before taking on his current role as a responder.
Jules also happily lends his expertise in content creation and his on-camera personality skills that he developed when he created his own marine science education platform called Jules of the Sea (@julesofthesea2021). On this platform Jules shares educational marine science-themed comics, videos, and merchandise with a humorous twist, and he also offers career consultations for young marine biology enthusiasts.
Noemi Fernandez Luna is the Education Programs Coordinator at the Marine Mammal Care Center, where she supports established and continuously growing education initiatives. She is a proud South Los Angeles native and first-generation college graduate. Noemi graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University in 2020. During her undergraduate years and after college graduation, Noemi has worked as a passionate informal educator with students of all ages and backgrounds, spending many years working in outdoor education. Her previous work experience cultivated a deep appreciation for California’s natural environment while also highlighting the reality that access to nature is not always equitable. Noemi is interested in meaningful work that engages the public, an intersection she has found at the Marine Mammal Care Center.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, experiencing live music, traveling to new places, and watching Dodger baseball.
Jessica Rodriguez has over a decade of experience in informal education, where she inspires the next generation of marine biologists and ocean stewards. Prior to joining MMCC, Jessica served as an Education Programs Manager at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, where she focused on community engagement and developing curriculum connected to ongoing marine mammal research. She also gained experience at several other education-focused organizations, teaching in outdoor settings, traveling to schools, and hosting programs at various facilities. Passionate about promoting environmental stewardship, Jessica loves sharing her knowledge of marine life and conservation with learners of all ages.
She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Marine Biology from Cal State Fullerton. During college, Jessica worked in two research labs and completed an independent study on the rocky intertidal zone, further deepening her passion for marine science.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys being cozied up with a good book, baking different types of bread and pastries, and strolling around outdoors.
As Sr. Development Manager at the Marine Mammal Care Center, Ashley works closely with the CEO to develop and execute donor relations and fundraising strategies that support the organization’s mission.
With a degree in Humanities and Communications and a minor in Professional Ethics, Ashley brings over 13 years of experience as a brand and business strategist in one of America’s largest industries: retail. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of partnering with purpose-driven organizations, helping them achieve growth and impact goals through innovative business development, merchandising and marketing strategies.
Ashley’s passion for animal welfare and wildlife conservation fuels her commitment to using the power of storytelling to inspire change. She is energized by building and nurturing relationships that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes and is deeply motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact on the planet.
Prior to joining the Marine Mammal Care Center, Ashley held various leadership roles in the private sector and even launched her own eco-friendly retail business. However, her most fulfilling role, by far, is being a mother.
When she’s not busy, Ashley can be found on an outdoor adventure with her college sweetheart accompanied by their daughter and their four-legged companions. She loves skateboarding the strand, listening to music, swimming in the ocean, dancing like no one’s watching, playing tile rummy, swinging at the park, picking fruit in the backyard, stargazing, curling up by a fire and traveling to new places. Ashley is a devout champion of eco-friendly living, plant-based diets and various wildlife advocacy groups.
Mike Remski has a long history at the Marine Mammal Care Center. In his current role as Facilities Technician, he is responsible for the hospital’s life-support systems such as filtration and water quality as well as the buildings, fences and equipment. He also sometimes supports with animal care, as needed.
Mike first joined the Marine Mammal Care Center in 2005 and served in a variety of animal care roles, including veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, and operations manager. He then moved on to Marine Animal Rescue in 2011 to focus on wildlife response efforts for the next two years.
In 2013, when a multi-year Unusual Mortality Event began that resulted in thousands of California sea lions stranding along the California coast, Mike was asked to help launch a marine mammal rehabilitation program in Malibu as part of the California Wildlife Center, where he stayed to oversee the department for seven years.
Finally, after about 15 years building experience in different areas of marine mammal response and rehabilitation, Mike returned to MMCC in 2020 to support facilities management and animal care.
Kelsey is the Volunteer Services Manager at the Marine Mammal Care Center, where she leads engagement and training for a team of 300 volunteers who support the mission of ocean conservation in animal care, education, and administrative roles.
Kelsey began her journey at the Center as an Animal Care Volunteer shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology in 2012. Kelsey is a dedicated marine biologist with over a decade of experience in education, marine animal care and husbandry, and volunteer training and development.
When she is not vocalizing like the pinniped patients to prepare volunteers for their roles, you can find Kelsey volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific as a Husbandry Volunteer, supporting local sports teams, crocheting or immersing herself in a good book.
Megan Wier is a registered veterinary technician with over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She joined the Marine Mammal Care Center in 2018.
Originally from Texas, Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University. Her deep passion for ocean life and conservation inspired her to attend veterinary technician school and pursue a career in marine mammal rehabilitation.
After becoming a registered veterinary technician, Megan worked for six years as both an ICU and emergency technician at two different small animal specialty hospitals. In these roles, she developed a strong passion for patient care and advocacy, refining her skills in critical care and advanced treatment techniques. These experiences have seamlessly translated to her current role at MMCC, where she applies her expertise in caring for complex cases and advocating for the well-being of the patients.
In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking and camping in national parks with her husband and spending quality time with her fur babies.
Liz is a native of Southern California, with a lifelong passion of caring for animals. In addition to her board position, Liz is a volunteer in animal care at MMCC-LA. For the past 11 years, Liz and her dog Huxley were a registered team with Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society), visiting children’s hospitals and elder care facilities. She also volunteers with Southbay Wildlife Rehab helping care for injured birds of prey and raising baby native songbirds for release back into the wild. She is a supporter of Palos Verdes Land Conservancy and numerous animal charities and has also served as a judge pro tem for the Los Angeles Judicial District. Liz resides in Lunada Bay with her three dogs and husband, Jeff.
Fred Felman joined the MMCC-LA Board in January 2023, bringing his experience from his career, which has been focused on strategy, product, and marketing at technology companies. With a history of driving growth as a Partner at Sage Partners and as Chief Marketing Officer of Thomson Reuters Intellectual Property, he has scaled and optimized businesses. At MMCC-LA, he seeks to apply his corporate acumen to the health and conservation of marine mammals. Passionate about the outdoors and an avid cyclist, Fred’s love for the ocean aligns with the Center’s mission. He supports the goal of MMCC-LA to promote the harmonious coexistence of commercial growth and environmental stewardship. Fred aims to integrate his business insights with the conservation and health of this vital ecological resource.
“I joined the board of the Marine Mammal Care Center because, in a divided world, protecting our shared natural heritage brings people together. MMCC’s work is about more than saving animals—it’s about uniting science, compassion, and community to safeguard our oceans for future generations. That’s a story worth sharing.”
Managing Director, APM Terminals Los Angeles – Pier 400
Jon Poelma has held various leadership roles domestically and in foreign countries such as Singapore and Denmark. Holding roles such as Senior Director of Transpacific for Maersk, Director of Intermodal for Schneider National and President of Consolidated Chassis Management, Jon has built a depth of experience in various segments of intermodal transportation. He also held role of Vice Chairman IANA. Currently Jon serves on the boards of PMSA, Signal Mutual, and the Marine Mammal Care Center of Los Angeles.
In November 2019, Jon joined APM Terminals and was responsible for the $200 million modernization program and the terminal operations at Port Elizabeth, NJ.
In January 2022, Jon transferred from the East Coast to run APM Terminals Los Angeles with focus on major capital investments to modernize the facility.
Jon has a Bachelor in Economics and Business Management from Cornell University, Masters in Transportation from the University of Denver, and an MBA from Cornell University.
“After having moved from the East Coast a few years ago, finding the seals in Southern California was a highlight. I was even more excited to see that seals and sea lions co-exist with our maritime industry by taking time to sleep and enjoy the sun on the bulbous bows of our shipping line customers. After getting involved with the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, I became aware of the need to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals in the area. It is critical that the maritime industry takes a leadership role in supporting this important mission and ensures that our local marine mammals thrive together with our business.”
Donna moved to San Pedro in 2015, and was beckoned to the Center by the patients barking, which can be heard from her backyard. Donna has served on the MMCC-LA Board since October 2018, where her love of the ocean and its inhabitants has grown from fondness to advocacy, with an emphasis on crisis management, communication, and non-profit governance best practices. A product of public education and an impoverished single-parent household, Donna is a strong supporter of higher education for the underserved. She has served in several capacities as an advisor to the President of her undergraduate alma mater, and has mentored students in Los Angeles through the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation by counseling at-risk youth. Donna has also volunteered with Public Counsel, where she provided pro bono services to finalize adoptions for children with special needs.
“It is truly a labor of love to support MMCC’s mission. The Center’s work saving the lives of injured seals and sea lions (literally) spoke to me long before I joined the board—I could hear our patients from my backyard. Now, seven years later, it is a point of pride to see how far we as an organization have come in delivering quality care to the patients we serve, while inspiring the next generation of Angelenos on how we all can support ocean conservation efforts for generations to come. We are able to serve Los Angeles County thanks to the support of our tremendous staff, dedicated volunteers, and supporters. Thank you. You make a difference.”
Pat Light has been a Redondo Beach resident for the past 26 years and is an active water enthusiast alongside her husband and daughter. She was first drawn to the Marine Mammal Care Center in 2023 after encountering a malnourished pup named “King,” sparking a deep connection to the Center’s mission. Now retired from a successful career in the aerospace industry, Pat devotes her time to volunteering at MMCC, St. Francis Episcopal Church, and the King Harbor Yacht Club.
As a child in a military family, Tammy had the opportunity to live in Okinawa and fell in love with the island and its surrounding waters. Her passion for animals and the ocean led her to do wildlife rehabilitation in Ohio, study dolphins off North Carolina, and work on the Prince William Sound oil spill in Alaska. After practicing in Chicago for six years, it was time to move to the coast. She started volunteering with pinnipeds in Santa Barbara before joining MMCC-LA in 2010. She also provides services for the whale stranding network, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, and the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps. From cleaning pens to performing surgery to joining the board, she is excited to continue to help these animals get home.
Lisa Jordan is a multidisciplinary creative professional with a background in fine art, fashion, branding, and strategic consulting. At MMCC, she assisted in crisis response coordination for the temporary resting zone, developed training protocols for new volunteers, and organized community outreach initiatives to strengthen local involvement. She also designed and managed the complete renovation of the MMCC visitor center—transforming it into a welcoming, multi-functional space for education, public engagement, and retail, with thoughtful visual details that enhance the visitor experience and reflect the mission of the center. Her previous work includes curating large-scale art installations, directing creative campaigns, and creative consulting across a range of established brands and industries, bringing a design-focused approach that supports both visual and functional outcomes. Her work reflects a balance of creativity and strategy, grounded in real-world application.
“There are few places where the power of collective care is so visible—and MMCC is one of them. Seeing volunteers, staff, and community members come together with such dedication made a deep impression on me. It reminded me that we’re never powerless when we act with purpose and compassion. I’m grateful to serve on the board and to support the people and mission that continues to inspire me.”
