Discover the team behind the science, storytelling, and community action.

Meet Our Team

At The Leatherback Project, our strength lies in our people.

From passionate scientists and dedicated conservationists to creative storytellers and community leaders, our team brings together diverse expertise to protect leatherback sea turtles and their ecosystems. Get to know the individuals driving our research, outreach, and action. Each person is committed to making a lasting impact for our ocean and the communities connected to them.

Meet Our Founder

Callie Veelenturf

Founder & Executive Director

Callie is a leading marine conservation biologist and voice for nature who inspires and influences high-impact conservation measures, using collaborative scientific research initiatives, with a focus on marine turtles and ecosystems, to connect indigenous and local communities with government agencies to propose and achieve paramount environmental protections and advancements in the global recognition of the intrinsic Rights of Nature.

Callie is a National Geographic Explorer, Scientist with the United Nations Harmony with Nature Programme.

Explore more about Callie's high-impact conservation measures.

Dive In

Meet Our Team

Nikki Riddy

Director of Impact Media

Canada

Nikki Riddy is a photographer and filmmaker based on Vancouver Island, Canada..

With an educational background in chemistry and applied ethics, Nikki merges science and creativity to produce impactful visuals that engage and inspire action. Her career has taken her from Alaska to Argentina, capturing breathtaking ecosystems and the people working to protect them.

Nikki’s dedication to conservation storytelling has led her to work with marine conservation nonprofits such as The Leatherback Project, SeaLegacy, and OnlyOne.

Katie Miller

Director of Finance & Administration

Canada

Bio coming soon!

Amanda Rocafuerte

Country Director

Ecuador

Bio coming soon!

Luis Paladines

Country Director

Ecuador

Bio coming soon!

Wiguidili Crespo

Director,

Proyecto Yaug Galu

Panama

Wiguidili Crespo was born in Armila, Guna Yala, Panama, where the richness of Nature and Guna culture shaped her early life. Her passion for the ocean began in childhood, inspired by cultural traditions and memories of monitoring leatherback turtles with her father. These majestic creatures hold deep meaning in her community and sparked Wiguidili's journey into Marine Biology and Limnology.

In 2025, she successfully completed her thesis with the support of The Leatherback Project, a collaboration that has deepened her commitment to marine conservation.

Lineylis (Liz) Rios

Marine Biologist,

Proyecto Yaug Galu

Panama

Lineylis Annette Ríos Núñez, is a Panamanian marine biologist, born in the province of Colón. Her passion for Nature and the protection of marine species led her to undertake an exciting career in conservation. During her academic journey, she had the privilege of collaborating with The Leatherback Project, where she was able to dive even deeper into her love of marine life. After a life-changing experience in the community of Armila, where she not only had the opportunity to learn about the Guna’s fascinating customs, but also to join their efforts dedicated to the conservation of leatherback turtles.

After successfully completing her thesis in 205, she is excited about what the future holds and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the well-being of our marine ecosystem.

Valerie Stephens

Marketing Communications Consultant

USA

Valerie Stephens is the Marketing Communications Consultant at The Leatherback Project. At the nexus of climate action and sustainable solutions, she creates strategies and content that instill hope and move audiences into action.

Before she worked in the ocean sector, Valerie once delved into data science exploration at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where she worked as a digital strategist. Her love for new, exciting technological breakthroughs has carried into her current work integrating technology, science, and storytelling.

Originally hailing from the frozen tundra of Minnesota, USA, and nowhere near an ocean, Valerie graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Music Business.

Mackenzie Govett

Impact Media Specialist

USA

Bio coming soon!

Aida (Aidita) Magaña

Community Leader,

Pearl Islands Archipelago

Panama

Aida Magaña is a Panamanian Nautical Engineer with Sabogan roots. After graduating from the International Maritime University of Panama in 2012, she worked in thermoelectric plants and ship repairs until 2019. Aida later earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Technological University of Panama in 2022.

Her journey in conservation began when she joined the CONAP project in the Pearl Islands, becoming a community leader in the creation of the Saboga Wildlife Refuge. In 2023, she was honored as a Hope Spot Champion by Mission Blue. Since then, Aida has actively contributed to marine species conservation alongside organizations like The Leatherback Project, MiAmbiente, and SENAN. She is deeply grateful for the people and experiences that continue to guide her path in protecting our ocean.

Ariel Cajar

Boat Captain and

Ecotourism Guide

Panama

TLP_2023_Feb11_Saboga_Canon_Stringout.00_27_44_22.Still001.jpg

Bio coming soon!

Meet Our Student & Youth Leaders

Graduate Student

Christina Langford

Graduate Thesis Student, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California Santa Cruz

USA

It was love at first sight for Christina Langford when she saw her very first sea turtle during a sea turtle nesting internship in Ostional, Costa Rica. She has done sea turtle monitoring work both on nesting beaches and in water for the past 5 years, and fortunate to work with 5 of the 7 species of turtles. During those experiences, Christina learned about the many threats sea turtles face, and that fisheries bycatch is the main threat to many populations. She is now learning the interdisciplinary skills necessary to work collaboratively with stakeholders like fishers to find solutions to the bycatch issues while also protecting stakeholder livelihoods.

Undergraduate Students

Geanina Cárdenas García

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Panama

Geanina Cárdenas García was born in Panama, in a picturesque township surrounded by nature, on the banks of one of the cleanest rivers in the capital city. Since she was little, Geanina grew up in an environment full of biodiversity, which sparked my passion for nature and the importance of water. This love for the natural world led her to study Marine Biology.

She is currently in the final phase of my degree, working on her thesis about coral reef conservation.

Astrid González

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Panama

Astrid González a Panamanian biology student specializing in Marine Biology and Limnology, a field that has strengthened her commitment to the conservation of marine ecosystems. Her passion for nature began in her teens through the Young Naturalists Club at the Metropolitan Natural Park, sparking her interest in environmental conservation.

Astrid is currently working on her thesis focused on the study and conservation of sea turtles, a field that continues to fuel her dedication to protecting marine ecosystems.

Local Youth Leader

Ibdiel Guitierrez

Youth Leader

Panama

Bio coming soon!

Meet Our Government Liaisons & Collaborators

Marino Abrego

Research Association Liaison, Ministry of the Environment

Marino Abrego is a biologist specializing in zoology with a strong commitment to ocean conservation—especially the protection of sea turtles and their ecosystems. He has extensive experience in wildlife monitoring, environmental management, and coastal marine resource assessment. Since 2009, he has represented Panama in regional and international sea turtle conservation initiatives, including the Inter-American Convention and the IUCN Sea Turtle Specialist Group. Currently, Marino coordinates Panama’s National Program for the Protection, Conservation, and Research of Sea Turtles at MiAMBIENTE. His work is driven by both scientific dedication and a deep personal connection to these vital marine species.

Ministerio De Ambiente República de Panamá

Panama

Captain Genoveva Forero

Official Security Liaison, National Air and Navy Service

Bio coming soon!

Panama

Ramiselia Ramirez

Research Associate Liaison, Authority of Aquatic Resources (ARAP)

Ramiselia Ramírez lives in Panama City, born in the indigenous region of Guna Yala in the community called Achutupu. Since she was little she has always liked to care for and conserve the environment, which is why she is a biologist. Ramiselia works at the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama in the General Directorate of Research and Development. In 2020, a special person named Callie appeared in her life who changed my thinking about the conservation of sea turtles, where her first job was the survey for artisanal fishermen of the Pearl Archipelago. Since then, she has been supporting the NGO and hopes to continue supporting Callie with many more projects.