Zoë grew up in Vancouver, BC, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral, unceded, stolen territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō Nation) as a child of immigrants/settlers. She is part of the gayby boom generation and has two moms. Zoë studied Biology and Environmental Studies at a public liberal arts college in traditional, ancestral, stolen Munsee Lenape and Mohican territory (Northern New Jersey), where she found a love for community organizing for an equitable transition towards sustainable practices and policies that ensure healthy and resilient communities under changing environmental-humanitarian-climate crisis conditions. As a dual Canada-U.S. citizen, she resides part-time in Vancouver and part-time on the Kitsap Peninsula, the traditional, ancestral, stolen territory of the suq̀ʷabš (Suquamish Tribe) in Washington state.
For the past two years, Zoë has served as a member of H2OO’s U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade and is excited to have joined the H2OO helm as an intern in May 2024. Zoë has passions for eco-justice, our ocean and waterways, and native landscaping. She is most at peace when she is by our ocean, recognizing that it is the lifeblood of our planet.
Armon Alex is a distinguished Environmental Science Communicator and Ocean Policy Steward with nearly a decade of experience in global environmental non-profits. As Vice-Chair of the City of Corpus Christi’s Mayor’s Environmental Task Force and a key member of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU) Board of Directors, Armon possesses influence both locally and internationally. Armon is the Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Youth Climate Summit, uniting young professionals, students, scientists, stakeholders, and public officials to address the Gulf of Mexico’s critical environmental challenges. This youth program, now under the direction of the Gulf Reach Institute, is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, climate action, and Gulf coastline preservation.
His journey started with hands-on water quality testing and evolved into a dynamic career in science-based community outreach and advocacy. Armon is resolutely committed to environmental justice, recognizing the critical role his community plays on the frontlines of the climate crisis. In his spare time, Armon mentors fellow young environmentalists, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to be effective science communicators. His collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication exemplify a vision for a sustainable, diverse, and a just world, where young leaders drive critical climate actions and pave the way for a greener tomorrow.
Cambria has been with H2OO since the beginning, when she was 12 years old, furthering the mission and cultivating H2OO into what it is today.
Having grown up in a small town on the Northern California coast, Cambria developed a profound love for, and connection to, nature. Seeing the impacts of single-use plastics on ecosystems and communities globally, Cambria’s advocacy work focused on researching plastic pollution and raising awareness through award-winning artivism, both visual art and film, as well as speaking at events around the world.
She is committed to fostering a community of global youth who are connected to our shared natural environment and each other and who have access to the development of skills to advocate for justice for themselves and their communities.
Now a student at Whitman College, Cambria prioritizes climate action on campus and continues to raise awareness regarding the reliance the single-use plastics industry has on fossil fuels.
Julia is a young marine conservationist and researcher from Indonesia. She acquired her bachelor degree in marine science at University of Papua and a master candidate of Ecology and conservation Biology at Texas A&M University.
Julia is also founder and CEO of the youth based organization of OurConservaSea, which is active in contributing hands on deck on the habitat degradations and ocean pollution issues. Over the past four years she and her team, along with other partners in local, national, and international level has managed to work on several exciting projects that aims to invites the participation of the wider community to be involved in marine conservation efforts.
Julia is also very passionate about marine ecology, marine habitats, oceans pollutions, ecotourism, community involvement, actions, self development, and leadership.
Julia’s LinkedIn
In 2017, Chloe McKenna started her journey as a youth ocean advocate when she founded the Heirs To Our Ocean Orange County, California Chapter. She has been involved in various H2OO programs over the years, including SEAL and RAISE. From 2020-2022, Chloe served as the Co-Chair for the 1st and 2nd Cohorts of the US Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade. Her experiences with H2OO starting at just 15 years old drive her continued advocacy for meaningful youth inclusion in ocean governance spaces.
Chloe is currently a student in the Marine Systems and Policies MSc Program at the University of Edinburgh. Her Master’s thesis is focused on the socio-ecological and cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution on Scottish island communities. In 2023, Chloe graduated from Eckerd College with a BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Animal Studies.
As an Education Consultant with the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, Chloe works directly with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Inspired by her work with H2OO, she co-founded the NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program in 2023 to support young ocean leaders with skill- and leadership-development opportunities.
Chloe’s LinkedIn
“I consider people who care about environmental problems to be heroes of the earth, regardless of their backgrounds. The SEAL website outlines the challenges we face in addressing environmental issues, which inspired me to apply to the SEAL program.
I believe the SEAL Youth Summit offers significant benefits for the younger generation, including opportunities to network, learn from experts, and develop leadership, resilience, and teamwork skills. It also provides insights into global issues and inspires participants to take action in their communities.
My goal is to have a positive impact on society by sharing useful information and encouraging meaningful conversations. I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained at SEAL to support individuals and communities in their growth, focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and resilience to address societal challenges and drive positive change.”
“The specific challenge I want to address after SEAL is the lack of awareness about the importance of nature and biodiversity conservation, especially among the younger generation in my home country, Indonesia, and around the world.
Indonesia boasts extraordinary natural wealth, but it is often threatened by uncontrolled development, habitat destruction, and climate change.
My motivation to attend SEAL comes from a desire to face new challenges and test my abilities in the outdoors. Engaging in nature activities provides opportunities to learn about ecology, biodiversity, and local culture. By working in a team, I can develop essential communication, leadership, and collaboration skills that are crucial for success in various situations.”
“I recently learned about this program and believe it offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire new and valuable skills while meeting interesting people.
This program can provide me with a fresh perspective on society and the oceans. This is crucial for me because it’s not just about the new connections I would make, but also the valuable advice that can shape my future decisions.
I aim to develop solutions for water shortages and management in my hometown.”
“I was inspired to apply to this program because, in Cameroon, there are very few young people with experience in environmental protection, making it difficult to create a significant impact.
I believe SEAL will provide me with the training and resources needed to make a real difference in environmental protection in my country. This program will equip me with the skills to support the indigenous peoples of Cameroon in preserving their culture and heritage.
I am confident that, by the end of this training, I will be able to engage a large number of young people in Cameroon in environmental protection efforts. Together, we can start a movement to preserve our planet, beginning in our own country and eventually expanding our efforts worldwide.”
KT is originally from the East Coast and now lives in South Lake Tahoe. KT has been passionate about the outdoors all her life. Growing up on farms, she developed a loving connection with the land and natural ecosystems.
She is an accomplished backpacker and has previous guiding and management
experience. KT began her guide work in Southern Idaho and Northern California and
has worked in programs with goals of education, team empowerment, and mental
health. She teaches primitive skills and our vital role in caring for our land. She guided
our SEAL 2022 trip on the Pacific Coast Trail backpacking trip in Northern California. KT
supported twelve participates by carrying provisions and gear, applying expertise in
wilderness survival skills and nature awareness.
She prioritizes health and safety of everyone on trail through Wilderness First Responder certification. KT has assisted with programs in the Sierra Nevada to include Yosemite National Park, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Eastern Sierra and the Lost
Coast. Her favorite hike is the Napali Trail on Kauai. For fun, she loves to ski and rock
climb.
In the past 20 years, Nicco has guided over 150 trips with the Pacific Outdoor Connection, Unalayee Backpacking Camp, Andrew Skurka Adventures, as well as his own organized adventures. On an expedition, Nicco aims for everyone to be challenged and to enjoy the wonder and beauty of the wilderness. A major professional accomplishment was leading a group of 13 -16-year-olds on a 30-day backpacking trip that included a circumnavigation of the Trinity Alps High Route on a record snow year.
Nicco seeks to empower participants to make sound decisions in the backcountry, navigate without trails, and have so much fun on their adventures. An important part of Nicco’s process is connecting with and supporting each other as a group, especially as participants step out of their comfort zones.
When Nicco isn’t wandering in the mountains, he is exploring his passions as a performing musician, ukulele teacher, storyteller, contact improvisation dancer and father.
Bec grew up learning about backcountry navigation in the rugged, high-desert landscapes of Idaho. Later, she became a passionate educator, having taught in public/private sectors for more than a decade and counting. Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest, Bec began volunteering with Washington state to stock trout fry in hundreds of untrailed alpine lakes. Thereafter, Bec completed the triple crown, hiked an exploratory route through the ancient Lake Lahontan basin, hiked significant alpine routes in the Wind River Range, Inyo-White Mountains, Elkhorns, Steen Mountains, Yosemite, L2H Route, Brooks Range, and achieved several volcanic circumnavigations.
Bec’s interest recently transitioned to technical high-alpine terrain. She has skied every volcano in the US Cascade Arc, many in the Chilean Ring of Fire, in Patagonia, the Chugach, and the Redline Ski Traverse in the Range of Light. Bec has been a ski guide/instructor for backcountry ski operations and skills courses, a mechanized (helicopter and CAT) ski guide, a backpacking guide, a ski patroller, and a technical mountaineering guide on Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney. Bec informed her adventures with the science of snow, terrain, and weather patterns. Bec’s passion as a mountain guide is in facilitating feelings from her clients that they are welcome to be a part of our natural world of wonders.
When she’s not working for ski patrol or guiding, she’s sewing and creating art.