At the heart of our remarkable Blue Frontier community are some people helping turn the tide. Our team members are multi-talented individuals & activists who have a genuine love for the ocean and intimate connection with the issues that threaten it’s health and with that the health of the planet.
OUR TEAM
David Helvarg
Executive Director
David Helvarg is an author and Executive Director of Blue Frontier, an ocean policy group, and co-host of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast (and radio show). He has written seven books: Blue Frontier (now available on Kindle), The War Against the Greens, 50 Ways to Save the Ocean, Rescue Warriors, Saved by the Sea, The Golden Shore and Forest of the Sea (2026). He’s editor of the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide and co-founder of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, the world’s top marine conservation prize.
Helvarg worked as a war correspondent in Northern Ireland and Central America, covered a range of issues from military science to the AIDS epidemic and climate, and has reported from every continent including Antarctica. An award-winning journalist, he produced broadcast documentaries for PBS, The Discovery Channel, and others. His print work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, LA Times, Smithsonian and National Geographic. He’s done radio work for Marketplace, AP radio, and Pacifica, as well as led workshops for journalists in half a dozen countries. David is also a licensed Private Investigator, body-surfer and scuba diver.
Natasha Benjamin
Associate Director
Natasha has almost 20 years’ experience working in marine science and policy and a strong dedication for ocean conservation. She is also the Media Director at Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE) where she works with deep sea robotic technology to collect data to inform ocean and fisheries policy. Natasha’s has a background in marine science and fisheries management and strong expertise in science, policy and partnership building. She also worked with the Institute for Fisheries Resources, the Ocean Conservancy and as a consultant for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other ocean conservation groups. Natasha has a B.S. in Marine Biology from Boston University and M.S. in Marine Policy from University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS).
Margo Pellegrino
Field Organizer and Ocean Explorer
Margo has a BA in Labor Studies from Rutgers University. She is a life-long Jersey Gal who group up in an ocean loving family. Out of concern for the state of our ocean and what that means for the future of her children, she became a paddling ocean activist. Armed with David Helvarg’s “50 Ways to Save the Ocean” and a paddle, she feels that her outreach can be yet another tool in the toolbox to bring our ocean and water to the forefront of issues on which our great nation should focus. She believes that our country can and should take a leadership in ocean stewardship for the benefit of the global community and our children and generations to follow.
Eleanor Kerlow
Senior Communications Advisor
Eleanor is a marine-loving, award-winning PR professional. She has 30 years of experience in media and directing PR campaigns to advance strategic positioning and business goals. She worked for 12 years in legal media, including writing a book about Harvard Law School, and 18 years heading the public relations at three AmLaw100 law firms. Her joy is traveling the world with her family to dive and loves observing the small critters. After participating in recent Blue Vision Summits and 2017 Healthy Oceans Hill Day, she rededicated herself to advancing ocean communications and co-chairs the media committee of the March for the Ocean.
Nick Paz
Media Coordinator
Nick is an oceanography graduate from Cal Maritime with a passion for environmental stewardship, equitable outdoor access, and creating and fostering inclusive ocean communities. A former employee of the Estuary and Ocean Science Center, he has been on the forefront of environmental monitoring efforts in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also an avid surfer, diver, and award-wining photographer – building a set of skills which has found him in a storytelling role focused around surfing, grassroots community growth, and environmental justice movements.
Myra Khan
Coordinator
Myra is the Coordinator at Blue Frontier, bringing a strong background in environmental advocacy to her role. Before joining Blue Frontier, Myra worked with various environmental and humanitarian organizations focused on climate justice and supporting the rights of asylum seekers. Her experience includes conservation fieldwork in diverse locations such as Costa Rica, Malta, and Indonesia. Her varied experiences have equipped her with a broad perspective and practical skills that she now applies to her work at Blue Frontier, helping to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
Holden Hardcastle
Podcast Producer
Over the last twenty years, I have produced award-winning strategic marketing campaigns. I am an experienced art and creative director who has led high-performing teams at companies across various industries. Working with inspired and driven individuals, I aspire to create beautiful, exciting, and positive experiences. Whether it is bringing people together through an application or developing a dynamic brand to change the world, I believe that inspired teams yield inspirational results.
Charles Landon
Podcast Editor
Charles Landon is a photojournalist who worked for 40 years at the CBS affiliate in San Diego. He has won numerous Emmy, Golden Mikes and a National Press Photographer award.
Born and bred by the beach he surfs, body boards and dives in the San Diego area. Charles has worked with David Helvarg on numerous documentary’s and edits the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast.
Pam Stello
Pam has worked for 15 years to protect Point Molate headlands and waters in Richmond, California and its rich environmental and cultural resources. She is co-founder and co-chair of the Point Molate Alliance, a project of Blue Frontier, and co-founder of Citizens for a Sustainable Point Molate, the group that led the grassroots movement that defeated the proposed mega-casino at Point Molate in 2010. She serves on the board of Citizens for East Shore Parks.
Pam grew up on Cape Cod in Chatham, Massachusetts. She was a student in South Africa, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso, and she’s traveled in 16 countries so far. She and her wife recently became bicoastal, splitting their time between the California and Portugal coasts.
