Our Team

Monica DeAngelis, Board President ~ Email Monica ~ Monica is performing the critical role of President to manage and provide leadership for the Board of Directors, leading the creation of a board plan, and keeping the organization focused on achieving the vision. She has a BS in Biology from University of New Hampshire and a MS in Biology from San Diego State University. She is a Marine Mammal Biologist at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Ian Owen, Board Treasurer ~ Email Ian ~ Ian as the 2nd term Treasurer is leading the finance efforts to achieve long term fiscal solvency and to develop an endowment. He has an EEE degree from the Royal Navy (UK) and received a commendation from the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) when he helped set up and run an oiled bird rescue and rehabilitation center in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. Ian is a program manager at Sonos Inc.

Annie Becker, Board Secretary ~ Email Annie ~ Annie is performing the role of Secretary fostering communication and ensuring proper management and utilization of organizational records, bylaws, policies and procedures, and assisting with fundraising and community events. She has a Bachelor of Science in statistics and finance from Syracuse University. Annie is a realtor on Aquidneck Island and is the President Elect of the Newport County Board of REALTOR©

Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director ~ Email Dave ~ Dave is the Co-Founder of Clean Ocean Access in 2006 and as executive director since 2014 he is working on transforming the organization into a sustainable non-profit such that the mission lasts forever. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in applied mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology with a concentration in atmospheric science and physical oceanography in 1993 and 1996. Before this journey, Dave had a career in information technology as an enterprise architect at Hasbro Toy Company from 1996 to 2014.

Eva Touhey, Program Manager ~ Email Eva ~ Eva joined the team as an intern in October of 2015 working on watershed reporting, and advancing education activities in 2016. As the program manager, she is responsible for core programs, big projects, volunteer management, advocacy, education & outreach, reports, and program revenue. Eva received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2015, and a Master’s degree in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island in 2019.

Max Kraimer, Program Coordinator ~ Email Max ~ Max joined the team as an intern in May of 2017 focusing on Marina Trash Skimmer data collection and research. As the program coordinator, Max is responsible to advance the big projects; Southeast New England Marina Trash Skimmers and Healthy Soils Healthy Seas Rhode Island, and program sponsorship. Max received his Bachelor of Science in marine biology with a minor in sustainability studies from Roger Williams University in 2018.

Garrett Russ, Development Coordinator ~ Email Garrett ~ Garrett joined the team in September of 2018 as a development coordinator bringing two years of experience in the renewable energy industry and over five years of experience in business development. Garrett is responsible for maintaining an accurate database for the organization as well as donor, fundraising, and event management. He received his Bachelor of Science in international relations and a minor in sustainability studies from Roger Williams University in 2016.

Audrey Royer, Communications Marketing Events Coordinator ~ Email Audrey ~ Audrey joined the team in September of 2019 bringing three years of experience in sales support, marketing, event planning and communications. Audrey is responsible for communicating the needs and results of the organization to establish an engaged community of volunteers, donors, and sponsors – and advance our mission-based programming goals and achieve our fundraising objectives. She received her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University in 2016.

Lauren Dixon, Program Coordinator ~ Email Lauren ~ Lauren joined the team in 2019 and is responsible for core programming, participatory action science, experiential environmental education, and volunteer management. Lauren has six years of professional environmental education experience and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Marine Science from the University of Tampa in 2011.

Jamie Rhodes, Shrink Wrap Consultant ~ Email Jamie ~ Jamie joined the team in 2019 and is responsible for the shrink wrap recycling project to put in place a circular economy for LDPE plastic and advance awareness within the sailing and marine community. He was the former Program Director at Upstream Policy, and the Rhode Island State Director of Clean Water Action. Jamie earned a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University in 2012.

Kaitlyn Reed, Zero Waste Coordinator ~ Email Kaitlyn ~ Kaitlyn joined COA in January 2020 as the Zero Waste Coordinator. Kaitlyn has primary responsibilities for the Healthy Soils Healthy Seas Rhode Island Project. Kaitlyn graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Sustainable Development and minors in Political Science and Women’s Studies in May 2018. During her time at school she worked at a restaurant and implemented composting as well as numerous sustainability measures to eliminate single use material. Before joining the team, Kaitlyn worked as an Animal Rehabilitation and Education Intern for the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay and as the lead summer camp educator at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.

Neda Hashemi, Business Development Intern ~ Neda joined COA in January 2020 as the Business Development Intern. Neda has primary responsibilities of supporting our development team with donor, fundraising, and event management. Neda is a junior at Roger Williams University and is a double major in finance and accounting with a minor in Spanish. After she graduates in 2021, Neda plans to obtain her CPA and work within an accounting firm.

Erik Snyder, Business Development Intern ~ Erik joined COA in January 2020 as the Business Development Intern. Erik has primary responsibilities of supporting our development team with contact management and fundraising preparation for events. Erik is a senior at the University of Rhode Island and studies finance. After he graduates this year, Erik plans to pursue a career in wealth management in the finance industry. Erik is originally from New Jersey and enjoys boating and snowboarding!

Marissa Weinstein, Environmental Science Intern ~ Marissa joined COA in January 2020 as one of three Environmental Science Interns. Marissa has the primary responsibilities of assisting with water sample collection and data management and she also preforms detailed debris analysis with a focus on materials collected from our Marina Trash Skimmers. Marissa is an Environmental Science and Management student at the University of Rhode Island. After he graduates this year, Marissa would like to become an Environmental Scientist and eventually further her education. Outside of COA and school, Marissa enjoys scuba diving and other awesome outdoor activities.

Joseph Sullivan, Environmental Science Intern ~ Joseph joined the team in May 2019 as a summer intern working on Marina Trash Skimmer data collection and digitizing our information collection process. He has continued his internship through his senior year of college, where he is now responsible for the Bacterial Source Tracking project and performs fieldwork for the Ocean program. He will receive a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with minors in Spanish and sustainability in May 2020.

Karen Slattery, Environmental Educator Intern ~ Karen joined COA in January 2020 as the Environmental Educator Intern and will soon begin her graduate education at Roger Williams University's Law School and participate in the joint master’s program through URI where she will also receive her masters in Marine Affairs. Karen assists our programming team with educating children regarding sustainability and environmental stewardship. Karen hopes to become a fisheries lawyer, a dream that was influenced by during the time she lived in the Galapagos.