Meet the Raising Coral Team

Our Team

  • Joanie Kleypas

    Director, PhD

    Joanie is a senior scientist emerita 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.

  • José Andrés Marín

    Manager, South Caribbean Program

    José Andrés manages the coral restoration program in the South Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

    He completed a Licenciatura in Marine Biology at the National University of Costa Rica, where he researched land-based techniques for propagating corals.

  • Marylaura Sandoval

    Manager, South Pacific Program

    Marylaura manages the coral restoration program in the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

    She 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.

  • Laura Jiménez

    Administrator

    Laura is a professional in Economic and Social Planning from the National University of Costa Rica, with experience in managing projects with social, environmental, and economic impact.

    At our organization, she oversees stakeholder relations and drives projects forward with strong organizational and administrative skills.

  • Dominique von Köller

    Legal and Strategic Advisor

    Dominique is a lawyer who graduated from the University of Costa Rica. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Climate Change at the University of Copenhagen.

    At our organization, she manages all legal matters and supports strategic decision-making with a focus on governance and compliance.

Our Coral Gardeners and Volunteers

  • Dayana Acuña

  • Evelyn Solano

  • Jessica Fonseca

  • José Luis Vega

  • Josué Vega

  • Keyla Ramírez

  • Milton Muñoz

  • Misael Barboza

  • Roberto Carranza

  • Valeria Román

  • William Zumbado

Our Associates

  • Álvaro Terán

    Business Consultant

    Álvaro is an agricultural engineer with fifteen years of experience in businesses that promote ecological sustainability, including projects in aquaculture and reforestation. He is currently Senior Advisor at Large Scale Fisheries Program with The Nature Conservancy.

  • Bernal masís

    Bernal Masís

    Organizational Development Expert, MBA

    Bernal holds an M.B.A. and brings more than 20 years of experience in organizational development and leadership training. He has designed and delivered training programs for a wide range of multinational companies across the Americas. He is also a certified executive and team coach, with professional training from INCAE Business School.

  • Celeste Sánchez

    Marine Chemistry and Reef Ecology Expert, PhD

    Celeste is a faculty researcher at the University of Costa Rica's Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR). She is an expert in coral reef ecology as well as ocean chemistry, including the problem of ocean acidification.

  • David Vaughan

    Coral aquaculture/restoration Expert, PhD

    Dr. David Vaughan has 45 years experience in aquaculture and restoration. As previous Executive Director of Mote Marine Laboratory, he started the coral restoration program, pioneering “micro-fragmentation”. At Plant a Million Corals Dr. Vaughan helps people globally to scale up restoration

  • Jorge Cortés

    Coral Reef Expert, PhD

    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.

  • Hernán Azofeifa

    Marine Aquarist, Business Consultant

    Hernán is multitalented, having degrees in law and business administration, and managing businesses from airlines to radio programs. He is an expert aquarist in Costa Rica, known for his work with the Asociación Costarricense de Acuariofilia Marina (ASOCAM) and his blog Mi Arrecife.

  • Mónica Gutiérrez

    Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Expert

    With over 25 years of experience in sustainability, Mónica Gutiérrez is Growth and Partnerships Manager for Central America at Fundes. She holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Sustainability Management, and has led sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives at Holcim and Península Papagayo. Mónica is also a professor at the National University of Costa Rica.

  • Tatiana Villalobos

    Tatiana Villalobos

    Marine Conservation Consultant

    Tatiana is one of the founders of Raising Coral, where she helped establish the country’s first coral propagation programs in underwater nurseries. She holds a Master’s in Integrated Management of Tropical Coastal Areas from the University of Costa Rica and is currently part of Conservation International Costa Rica, focusing on integrated ecosystem management and sustainable livelihood initiatives within the blue economy.

  • Tom Weaver

    Business Consultant

    Tom’s career has focused on sales and marketing, culminating as CEO in the development of several successful businesses. As a dive instructor, he is passionate about ocean issues, and was a board member for the Ocean Conservancy for several years. He has also served on the boards of humanitarian NGOs.