Clean Ocean Action Staff
Cindy Zipf
Executive Director
Carmela Caracappa Photography
Cindy uses her passion for science and advocacy to create campaigns and programs to drive public policy and reduce pollution. Since its beginning in 1984, she has been at the helm of COA, the lean, green, ocean pollution fighting machine that is the only full-time ocean advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to the NY and NJ region. She reviews and evaluates regional, state, and federal policies for impacts to marine water quality and, through science, research and education, works toward solutions for issues of concern.
Cindy is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Geography and Marine Affairs with a special emphasis in marine science. In 1984 the waters off the NY/NJ coasts were known as the “Ocean Dumping Capitol of the World”, and in response, the COAlition was formed and consisted of 20 organizations. As a founder and a staff of one, Cindy has expanded the coalition to over 120 organizations and a professional staff of ten full-time employees.
Kari Martin
Management & Operations Director
Kari originally joined the COA staff in 1999 as a graduate school summer intern. In 2001, she joined the staff full time, focusing on outreach and education. Over a span of 8 years, Kari served in assistant and director positions in education, policy, outreach, and communciations. Having met her future husband while staffing a COA information & action table, Kari left her position in 2009 to raise a family. Later she joined COA’s Board of Trustees from 2015-2019. Kari resigned from the Board in 2019 to rejoin the staff to work on education programs. Kari returned to her advocacy and outreach position a short time later, and served in that role for 5 years engaging with elected officials, organizations, and residents of all ages and backgrounds and launching actions and initiatives to stop ocean pollution and harmful industrialization in the ocean. In 2024, she accepted the role of Management & Operations Director.
Kari received her Master of Science degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, with a concentration in Environmental Policy & Democratic Processes. Her Master’s thesis was developed from her experience as a summer intern for COA. She received her undergraduate degree from Alfred University, with a double major in Environmental Studies and Political Science.
Swarna Muthukrishnan, PhD
Water Quality Research Director
Swarna leads COA's Water Quality department and programs, leading our water quality research, community science monitoring programs, and more. She received her Ph.D. in Environmental Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India, a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Florida and attended the Certificate Program in Biological Wastewater Treatment at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, The Netherlands, She has many years of experience in research and development, analytical techniques, laboratory and field investigations, sampling and monitoring methods, quality practices (QA/QC), scientific data analyses, scientific communication, monitoring and management of innovative treatment technologies and best management practices (BMPs) in water, wastewater, stormwater, sediments, soils, and reclaimed water.
Swarna has extensive experience and previous employment as an Environmental Scientist at the EPA in the Urban Watershed Management Branch, Water Supply, and Water Resources Division in Edison, NJ.
Kristen Grazioso
Education & Volunteer Programs Director
Kristen Grazioso leads COA's educations programs, teaching students of all ages and backgrounds about ocean pollution issues. She successfully launched the new SEAL program for high school students in 2020, and blazed the hybrid education trail for COA by transforming our Student Summits into a fun, informative, and engaging virtual experiences for middle school students. Kristen also coordinates volunteers for education and outreach programs.
Kristen graduated from University of California – Santa Barbara with a degree in environmental studies and a minor in education. Kristen brings her bi-coastal experiences to COA’s team. Kristen has experience in a school setting, and with nonprofit organizations and youth centers and camps.
Meg Sulzberg
Plastic Free Sea Coordinator
Meg leads COA's marine debris reduction programs that unite communities in protecting our oceans. Through Beach Sweeps, she engages thousands of community scientists to take action and create a lasting impact on our coastline.
Meg has extensive marine conservation, environmental education, and stewardship experience, and a deep passion for the ocean and protecting marine ecosystems. Meg obtained a Master of Professional Science degree in Marine Conservation from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Delaware. At COA, Meg will be coordinating the Beach Sweeps and Corporate Beach Sweeps programs, and working to coordinate and implement program and initiatives to improve awareness and reduction of plastic pollution and other litter sources.
Suzanne Power
Administrative and Resource Specialist
Raised on the beaches in Sea Bright, NJ, Suzanne has a deep concern for and love of the ocean. Her respect for its role and impact on the health of the planet intensified after taking an oceanography class at Brookdale on Sandy Hook. Suzanne’s family history is deeply rooted in Monmouth County, and her ancestors were oystermen in Keyport. Suzanne is a versatile and experienced administrative professional with a background in non-profit management, as well as in employee benefits and Human Resources.
At COA, Suzanne assists the management team in all aspects, provides operational support for programs and events, and supports donor development.
Madison Wurst
Ocean Policy Advocate
Madi graduated from Duke University with a Master of Environmental Management with a focus in coastal and marine systems and environmental economics and policy. Prior to that Madi attended University of Tampa and majored in marine biology with a minor in law, justice, and advocacy. She has worked in various labs and roles attempting to bridge the gap between science and policy. As Ocean Policy Advocate, Madi will help COA monitor and respond to regional and national policy issues related to ocean protection and water quality. Madi is excited to work collaboratively with COA staff and community members to ensure state and federal policy aim to protect and conserve our valuable waterways!
Evan Leong
Communications & Marketing Director
Evan oversees Clean Ocean Action's communications and marketing strategy, leading efforts to increase public engagement, strengthen the organization's brand, and advance environmental advocacy initiatives. He manages media relations, digital communications, social media, website content, email marketing, and the development of print and multimedia materials that support COA's work.
He holds a Master's degree in Communication & Media from Rutgers University, where he worked with research teams to produce science communication projects that translated federally and state-funded oyster, amaranth, and basil research for public audiences. His photography and video work have earned national and state recognition, and one of his photographs was published in TIME. Evan hopes to advance COA's mission to protect New Jersey's waters and the ocean.
Joseph Ahart
Community Science & Outreach Coordinator
Born and raised in New Jersey, Joe has always found comfort and inspiration along the Jersey Shore. His connection to the coast has shaped his commitment to protecting our ocean and waterways. With a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the University of Rhode Island, Joe has led and supported numerous outreach initiatives related to stormwater management and water quality, collaborating with municipalities, nonprofits, and educational programs to advance conservation efforts and community science initiatives.
At COA, Joe bridges the gap between science, municipalities, and community action to protect marine watersheds and the ocean.
Ericka Nimbley
Ocean Campaign Coordinator
Ericka graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in Environmental Studies and Government & Law, and she brings a lifelong passion for protecting waterways. Growing up on Lake Hopatcong, Ericka worked as a kayak tour guide, where she learned the importance of conservation and stewardship.
Ericka helps organize campaign strategies, strengthen coalition partnerships, and advance COA’s mission to protect the ocean, coast, and waterways.
Chariclia Karavanas
South Jersey Program Coordinator
Chariclia has lived in Cape May County along the Delaware Bay for her whole life, inspiring her love for marine and estuary ecosystems. She graduated from Barnard College with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Science and Public Policy. She completed her thesis on vessel interactions with bottlenose dolphin mothers and young.
As South Jersey Program Coordinator, Chariclia will collaborate across COA initiatives to increase organization presence, events, and networks within New Jersey's southern counties. Chariclia looks forward to bringing the concerns of South Jersey residents to the forefront of COA's advocacy efforts and expanding the reach of COA's programs.
Kevin Connelly
Seaside Environmental Academy Director
Since 2023, Kevin Connelly directs the Seaside Environmental Academy, which are guided coastal field trips focused on science and stewardship to educate middle school and high school students through exploration and hands-on activities. Kevin has over 30 years of experience in outdoor education for students K-12. Kevin directed Brookdale Community College's Ocean Institute at Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook, NJ. Kevin has a Masters of Theology from St. Joseph's Seminary, a Bachelor's in Biology-Chemistry from St. Peter's College, and experience in community involvement serving on the Council, Planning Board, Business Partnership, and Environmental Committee for the Borough of Highlands, NJ. Kevin enjoys sharing his knowledge of the marine environment with all audiences.
Catie Tobin
Microplastic Researcher
Catie Tobin is the Microplastics Researcher for Clean Ocean Action. Starting at COA as a Fellow in 2013, she quickly moved to the position of Marine Science Program Manager linking citizens, businesses, academia, and science eventually advancing to the role of Microplastics Researcher. In this role, she specifically works on advancing the organization’s microplastic agenda while also working on long-term data storage and accessibility of the Beach Sweeps dataset.
Since 2016, she has congruently been pursuing her doctorate in Environmental Science at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB). At UMB, her research focuses on the environmental and social implications of microfiber ingestion by the eastern oyster. Starting in 2021, Catie is also a John A. Knauss Sea Grant Marine Policy Fellow for NOAA.
As a NJ native and Jersey shore enthusiast (the actual place), Catie loves protecting the shores she grew up on.
