Meet the Team

Chris Butler-Stroud, Chief Executive, WDCS
Chris, as International Director, is responsible for the overall delivery of WDCS’s objects as a charity operating around the globe. Joining the UK arm of WDCS in 1992 as a researcher, he has worked across all WDCS’s cetacean conservation disciplines, and has been involved in delivering most aspects of WDCS Policy, including participation at the International Whaling Commission, (for many years as a specialist advisor to the UK Government), CITES, UNEP SPAW (Caribbean), the Convention on Migratory Species, ASCOBANS, and ACCOBAMS amongst others. Chris has been an advocate for cetacean conservation and WDCS around the globe.

Chris has led the organization from being solely a funding body for conservation research into a true advocacy organization with specific Policy objectives. As dedicated cetacean advocacy experts, the organization has provided services to other NGO’s (including Greenpeace, WWF, and IFAW) as well as Governments and international bodies such as the European Union (investigating the abuse of EU funds in the capture and export of Black Sea dolphins from Georgia).

Whilst at WDCS, Chris has served for ten years as a Board member (as Chairman and Vice-Chairman) of the UK based Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL), a registered charity, coordinating the activities of over 38 wildlife and countryside NGOs (collectively with a membership of over eight million supporters) in their policy delivery with the UK Government. As Chairman of Link, Chris oversaw the delivery of the UK’s Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).

Before joining WDCS, Chris was a serving officer with the UK’s Royal Air Force, and has worked in the advertising industry.

Chris's academic background includes a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising, an MBA (Open) and he is currently contemplating completing his LLB as he ends up having to deal with international environmental legal issues on a regular basis as part of policy delivery and at heart, is an eternal student.

Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Senior Biologist (as in Status, not Age), Vessel Strike Program Lead
Regina has worked with the Whale Adoption Project since 1990 and moved to WDCS in 2005. Working primarily on large whale issues such as risks from fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes, responds to strandings, and conducts education programs.  Regina is also the Regional Director of WDCS’s North American office where she works to ensure that the donations WDCS receive are allocated to saving whales. Regina has a conservation seat on the federally appointed Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team, and Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team and where she advocates for whales. She has a USCG 100 ton, near coastal captain’s license and she is most thankful for her family (Dave, DJ and Evan) and friends and would rather be captaining the boat.

Garrett Coakley
Garrett is our new International Head of Online. While he is currently located in WDCS’s UK Headquarters, Garrett will be spending time in the North American office developing our new whale photo-ID and sightings databases. His experience with Torchbox (UK) developing websites will surely be an asset to WDCS getting the word out and helping whales!

Karen Urciuoli
Karen brings her experience in marketing, donor relations and development to our North American office. Karen is eager to coordinate campaigns and keep our supporters as involved as possible as we move forward. Her enthusiasm and passion for whales and dolphins will ensure that our programs continue to thrive and that our mission is strong!

Monica Pepe
Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and has taken on the role of Project Supervisor in our North American office. As a former multi-year intern for WDCS, Monica is well suited to provide support and oversee current interns fostering their understanding of research, education and policy. Monica will help us to collaborate with other organizations to support ongoing efforts and enhance new endeavors.

Courtney Vail, US Policy Officer/Caribbean Program Manager.
Courtney has worked within the wildlife conservation and animal welfare field for nearly 20 years, and has been with WDCS almost ten of them. With a diverse background in biology, law and environmental policy, Courtney focuses her time across the spectrum of issues for WDCS, providing leadership for its Caribbean program and a variety of domestic and international educational and outreach initiatives. Courtney is currently based in Arizona and spends her free time hiking, playing sand volleyball and loving her daughter, Sierra.

Sue Rocca, Biologist and Intern Coordinator
Sue has been involved in whale research, conservation and advocacy for more than 13 years. A master multi-tasker, Sue manages the sightings and humpback databases, oversees the WDCS NA Intern Program, manages fundraising events, heads up the Turks and Caicos research project and works to promote responsible whale watching- all while tweeting, facebooking, blogging and answering the phone.  Under Sue’s direction, WDCS has proudly recruited more than 15 interns from eight different countries, as well as more than 40 volunteers.

Chris Hall, Finance Officer
Like Emma, Chris is based in the UK where he serves as part of the Finance team. However, Chris uses his personal vacation time to come to the US office every eight to ten weeks to work. While in the UK, Chris works diligently to oversee our finances.

Georgia Lozinsky and Jim Carsella, Webmasters
Georgia started as a volunteer for the Whale Adoption Project more than ten years ago and has become an invaluable part of the team ever since. When she isn’t keeping our website up and running and working above and beyond the call of duty, she spends time in her home in Colorado with her husband Jim, who codes all of our database and whale adoption cart needs, and three rescued pets, including a Bichon named Sara Lee, a buff Cocker Spaniel named Keeper and a very talkative African Gray parrot named Echo.