This panel is an exploration of diverse solutions to solve for some of our most pressing conservation challenges of today. Join five panelists who are working to understand and solve challenges in coastal and marine livelihoods, tourism and sustainability businesses, and management and enforcement.
Moderator, Tamara Thomas, is the Executive Director of Ocean Ties and Ocean Advisor to the IUCN, and has over 15 years of expertise on Ocean Issues – across several international conventions and relevant fora including the Convention on Biological Diversity; UN Framework on Climate Change; BBNJ; as well as on matters related to seabed mining. Among her previous roles, she served as Director of International Ocean Policy for Conservation International, International Ocean Policy Advisor of the Global Oceans Program at The Nature Conservancy and Advisor to the Chair of the United Nations Preparatory Committee of BBNJ. Ms Thomas aides in the creation of country and international level policy to support integration of marine nature-based solutions and innovative finance approaches and positions them as integral to global development agendas. She holds a masters of environmental management from Yale University and currently serves as Ocean and Ocean-Climate Advisor to The Republic of Seychelles and co-leads, within BBNJ, Area Based Management Tools including Marine Protected Areas and Environmental Impact Assessments within the African Group and is on the Board of Directors for Sea of Life.
Delonie Forman is a passionate advocate for eco-tourism and environmental conservation in Belize. Born and raised in Punta Gorda Town, located in Belize's southernmost district, Toledo, she began her career at TIDE in 2005, where she managed TIDE Tours, focusing on educational travel and conservation-based experiences. Over the years, Delonie spearheaded several community-based ecotourism initiatives that highlighted women-owned businesses through an entrepreneurial venture called Totally Toledo. In 2021, she joined TASA as the Tourism & Financial Sustainability Director. In this role, she currently oversees revenue strategies, visitor engagement & enhanced experiences, destination marketing, and sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, Delonie serves as a mentor as part of MPA Connect communications for sustainable financing seminars. Her work is dedicated to leading conservation and tourism initiatives, aiming to inspire visitors to be responsible travelers and leverage tourism as a driver for change.
Alexandra Guzman Bloise is a marine biologist recognized both nationally and internationally for her leadership in marine conservation. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded initiatives focused on protecting marine ecosystems and has worked closely with coastal communities to promote environmental education and the sustainability of the oceans. As the Hub Leader of SOA Panama, Alexandra is committed to establishing strategic alliances that strengthen marine protection in the region.
In addition to her scientific work, she has been a passionate advocate for gender equity, actively promoting the participation of girls and women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Her efforts have been key in opening doors and creating opportunities for new generations of young women interested in science.
Dr. Carolyn Henri is the Senior Consultant and Founder of Empowering Climate Solutions, a consulting firm she launched in 2022. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and economic development, with a strong emphasis on equity and climate justice. Since relocating to Belize, Dr. Henri has spearheaded projects that strengthen the capacity of community-based NGOs and has assisted local groups in identifying climate-resilient livelihoods and securing grant funding for sustainable business ventures.
As a natural resource economist by training, Dr. Henri’s current work centers on the development of a sustainable seaweed industry in Belize. Prior to moving to Belize, she worked as a natural resource economist and environmental educator in Washington State.
Dr. Henri holds advanced degrees in Natural Resource Management and Economics from NC State University, and in Economic Development from Georgetown University. She lives in Punta Gorda with her spouse, where she enjoys Toledo District’s breathtaking landscapes, thunderstorms, and Mayan Caldo. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving and birding.
Jennifer Koepcke builds partnerships with governments and foundations to advance WildAid’s mission to inspire change and empower the world to protect wildlife and vital habitats from critical threats. Jennifer has been a fundraiser and advocate for environmental conservation for over twenty years. In addition to securing over $125 million in grant funds, she has successfully advocated for public policy reforms for natural resource conservation. Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She enjoys hiking in the mountains, reading on the beach, and spending time with her husband, friends, and family.
CJ O'Brien Weddle is the Ocean Friendly Programs Manager at the Surfrider Foundation, where she supports Surfrider's grassroots network and helps restaurants and hotels reduce unnecessary single-use plastic. Before joining Surfrider, CJ was the Plastics Campaign Associate at Oceana, working to pass policies that reduce the production and use of single-use plastic at the local, state, and federal levels. She’s also helped colleges and universities to reduce single-use plastic in their operations. CJ has a master’s degree in Development Practice from Emory University with a focus on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Environmental Conservation. When not working, you can find CJ exploring the springs of central Florida where she lives, or making the trip to Florida’s beautiful coasts to swim and scuba dive with her husband.