Meet our Sea Smart team

Our staff

Dr. Elaine Leung

Executive Director & Founder

I have had the most amazing life as a marine biologist, working all around the world studying endangered marine animals in some of the most beautiful, remote places in the world. You can imagine, I have really experienced first-hand the threats our oceans are facing. But at the same time, I realized that there is something each of us can do to help. I started up Sea Smart to share my knowledge and passion for our oceans and to inspire and empower people to love and protect our oceans.
The oceans are incredibly amazing, powerful, and majestic. But at the same time, the oceans are vulnerable and in danger. Life on this planet cannot exist without our oceans. I want to help people foster love, curiosity, and connection with our oceans...because you only protect what you love. Kids are incredibly open, creative, and powerful change makers. I am truly convinced that kids will be the ones who will champion the cause to protect our environment. All we have to do is spark their love for nature and help them foster a connection with the environment.
There are so many incredibly simple, easy actions we can take to help our oceans. One of the best ways is to reduce our single-use plastics! I always carry around a water bottle and reusable container with cutlery.

Kanchan Lal

Managing Director

My area of expertise is team building! Throughout my career, I have focused my energy on creating positive team dynamics. I believe that the impact an organization can have is dependent on the amount of communication that happens between team members. When you have a solid team, anything is possible!
As an educator by trade, I have seen the positive effect kids can have on this planet. Youth education that is fun and interactive is so important for creating future change. Kids are excited, interested, and eager about making the world a better place. When taught young, they can be leaders that WE, the OCEAN, the FOREST, and the EARTH all need.
Leave things alone! The ocean is a complex ecosystem, everything has a purpose and a function. When we take things from the ocean, we might be damaging the ecosystem and harming surrounding biodiversity. When at the beach, it’s best to leave your surroundings exactly as they are. Don’t take home the sea shells, leave the crabs alone, watch your step when swimming, and don’t catch the jellyfish! Most importantly, clean up after yourself and leave the area exactly as you found it.

Talia Damas

Program Coordinator

My undergraduate degree in Environmental Science allowed me to explore a range of ocean-related and other fascinating topics, and I draw on this knowledge to develop interesting and informative programming. My experience working with children of all ages at summer camp allows me to design and deliver programming in a way that ensures every child can meaningfully connect with it. I also employ my background as a supervisor and mentor to empower our team of Educators.
I have always been happiest spending time in nature, ever since I was a 9-year-old camper at overnight camp. Having grown up in Ontario, my favourite memories by the water are not of the ocean, but instead of days spent swimming, sailing and kayaking on the lake. Moving to Vancouver has opened my eyes to the wonders of the ocean, and has motivated me to learn more about this incredibly influential part of nature. While working at summer camp, I was constantly amazed by how thoughtful, caring and determined children can be when given the chance - an experience that has inspired me to contribute to positive environmental change through work in youth education.
The fast fashion industry generates a significant amount carbon emissions a s well as microplastic pollution in our oceans. I love incorporating eco-friendly fashion into my life by buying secondhand clothing or knitting my own using sustainable fibers, which helps reduce ocean pollution.

Megan Bourassa

Administrative Coordinator

I bring a lifelong passion for the ocean, alongside a diverse background of skills ranging from project management to impact measurement, to art and design. I am excited to use these skills to help Sea Smart understand and increase their impact.
I have always felt at home in the water. Growing up in BC, I was lucky to spend summers in and around water; camping, swimming, kayaking, water skiing, and most recently scuba diving. These activities gave me a passion and fascination with marine life, which quickly translated into a desire to use my career to help protect it. I developed this passion from a young age, and have first hand experience of how youth education can create lifelong ocean advocates.
Do your best to use less freshwater (shorter showers, turn off the tap while washing your hands/dishes), to help reduce the amount of wastewater runoff that ends up in our oceans! Related to that, choose natural cleaning and hygiene products, to prevent toxins from getting into the waterways.

Eve Hurd

Program Coordinator

My undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Conservation has taught me that finding solutions to address climate change is rarely simple. Tackling issues that impact our oceans, such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and resource extraction, requires creative thinking and proper communication about the risks of environmental degradation. My time working as a wildlife conservation research assistant has informed me of the imminent threats faced by our natural environment, and the interconnectedness between environmental and human wellbeing. In my experience working in environmental education and science communication, I have learned to effectively discuss climate change and the natural world to children and adults, and encourage youth interest in the outdoors.
I believe that knowledge is most powerfully harnessed when used to catalyze positive and sustainable change in beliefs, values and habits. Without education, valuable knowledge may not be translated into effective action towards better protecting the world’s oceans. Growing up on a small island in the Puget Sound, I was raised to be curious about the oceans and forests surrounding my home. This led me to explore the natural world, and eventually study the environment in my undergraduate degree. I believe that fostering appreciation for the environment helps encourage folks to take responsibility towards better stewarding these spaces. Inspiring children and adults to create meaningful relationships with the natural world is the first step towards creating impact at the individual, community, and society levels.
Plastic pollution is one of the largest threats faced by our oceans, this is exacerbated by the manufacturing of cheaply made goods, from clothes, to technology, food containers, you name it! One of the most revolutionary acts we can take towards better stewarding our oceans is not only to buy less things, but to take better care of what we already have. Repairing my own clothes is one way I have tried to ensure that my belongings can have a longer lifecycle, and stay out of a landfill!

Our furry executives

Picture of black and brown dog on a grassy field.

Loki

Chief Entertainment Officer (CEO)

I work hard to make sure the Sea Smart team is feeling joyful. I help them relax and even let them throw a ball for me. I’m also always ready to break up the workday by reminding the team to go outside and take a walk. Sometimes it can be hard to leave the office when there’s so much work to do but, I believe that everyone has time to take a minute to get some fresh air.
It's important to protect the ocean so we can all continue to play in the waves, nap on the beach, and walk along the shore!
I go through a lot of snacks. So I try to keep my snacks in a reusable silicone ziplock bag. My snack bags are airtight, easy to open and close, and are perfect for dry snacks. They’re more durable and ocean-friendly compared to single-use sandwich bags!

Picture of a black dog with her tongue hanging out, sitting in a field of wildflowers.

Kuma

Chief Relaxation Officer (CRO)

I take my job seriously and help the Sea Smart team relax by giving lots of cuddles and kisses. It's hard work but I let them give me lots of belly rubs to help them relax further.
Our oceans are so amazing and there's always so much fun stuff to sniff and explore! I like sniffing the kelp but I really don't like it when I find garbage on the beaches.
My fur mom scoops up my poop into a bucket to reduce using plastic bags to pick up my poop. It's amazing how many plastic bags fur parents go through each day so the bucket trick is great!

Theo

Chief Fun Officer (CFO)

I am an expert lap dog, and give the best cuddles and kisses!
I love going for walks along the beach, chasing and barking at the waves! It’s important that we keep our beaches clean so all the puppies and humans can enjoy them!
Buy your food and treats in bulk bags so it lasts longer, and there’s less plastic!