Reef Relief Announces Changes in Staffing

Reef Relief announces changes in staffing. They have added two new staff members, Erin O’Brien and Taylor Tsacoumis to their team, as well as promoting current staff member Dora DeMaria. Their previous Assistant Program Director, Alex Risius, has been accepted as a board member. With these staffing changes, Reef Relief continues expanding their message of environmental conservation as well as creating and implementing even more programs.

Erin O’Brien, Education Coordinator, was born and raised right outside Buffalo, NY and received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Studies from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook in 2018. Upon graduating she moved to the Florida Keys, where she discovered Reef Relief and was the Education Intern from January to August of 2019. She has also participated in a variety of other experiences including an internship with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, working with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program, and volunteering with the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium and the New York Marine Rescue Center.

Dora DeMaria, Education Director, was born and raised in the Florida Keys, having graduated from Key West High School. She then attended the Florida State University (FSU) and completed her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a focus on Oceanography. Dora began interning for Reef Relief in 2017 as the Stormwater Education Intern and Education Intern. She then took on a full-time position as Education Coordinator at Reef Relief, was promoted to Education Manager, and is now the Education Director for Reef Relief.

Taylor Tsacoumis, Program Coordinator, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2020 with a degree in Marine Science. After graduation, she moved to Key West where she was able to combine her love for working with kids and marine science, as the education intern at Reef Relief. Prior to her time in Key West, she worked in Sodwana Bay, South Africa where she researched the migratory behavior of pregnant Ragged-Tooth Sharks.

Alex Risius, Board Member, graduated from the University of Michigan in 2016 with a degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in Wildlife Conservation. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Key West to work for Reef Relief as their Education Intern. Alex then continued her journey at Reef Relief by working as their Membership Development Consultant, Education Coordinator, and Assistant Director. Alex is currently pursuing her Master of Environmental Management Degree at Duke University.

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