Meet Our Board

We are community members, including scientists, educators, and activists; our mission is to work with local communities to restore and preserve thriving ecosystems across the Mariana Islands.

Steven Mana'oakamai Johnson,
​Acting President

Steven Mana'oakamai Johnson, PhD is a Kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) from Saipan. He is currently a faculty member at Cornell University, where he is applying his skills as an interdisciplinary marine scientist to work with the State agencies, NGOs, and local communities to design climate-ready management plans. He currently lives in Ithaca, NY with his partner and boonie-dog, Horton. In his spare time he is running, playing music, or connecting with people through story.

​Haldre Rogers, Secretary

Haldre Rogers is the Director of the Ecology of Bird Loss project, which has conducted research in the Mariana Islands since 2006. She is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech.

​Joni Quenga Kerr, Treasurer

Joni Quenga Kerr is a native CHamoru, born and raised on Guåhan. She teaches science courses at Guam Community College (GCC) and is a founder and faculty advisor of the GCC Ecowarriors, a student organization that encourages stewardship and environmental awareness in the community.

Ann Marie Gawel,
​Board Member At-Large

Ann Marie Gawel, PhD ​was born and raised in Micronesia (Pohnpei and Guam), and has been involved in local conservation for over 20 years. She is currently the Eleanor J. Sterling Postdoctoral Conservation Fellow conducting both ecological and sociological research in Micronesia, including the Mariana Islands.

Jihan Younis,
​Board Member At-Large

Jihan Younis, a Saipan native, has worked in conservation for many years for the local and federal government and through nonprofit causes. She also promotes conservation and sustainable practices through her family business.

​

Tim Harvey-Samuel,
​Board Member At-Large

Tim Harvey-Samuel, PhD is a Lecturer at Keele University in England and his research focuses on biotechnological answers to conservation questions including topics such as gene drive. He visits his CHamoru family annually and is an avid peskadot and hunter.

Farron Taijeron, 
Board Member At-Large

Farron Taijeron, aka "The Guam Guy" is a specialist with The Nature Conservancy. He is an outspoken proponent for community-led and well-communicated conservation action in Guam.

Tina Sablan,
Board Member At-Large

Tina Sablan is a former legislator in the CNMI and current advocate and policy expert on environmental issues in the Mariana Islands.

We are also lucky to have strong group of dedicated staff working on a variety of conservation projects.