Team

Martina's passion for the ocean is deeply rooted in her family history. Her mother, a sailboat captain, and her grandfather, a submariner, filled her childhood with sea stories. She recalls that her books, summers, friends—everything had a scent of the sea. Before founding PEM, Martina started her career as a creative advertiser, but her love for nature led her to create a life dedicated to the environment. She spent years transforming the Buenos Aires Zoo into an ecological park, relocating animals to sanctuaries. She also advocated for Marine World to do the same but without success. This experience ignited her determination to protect marine life, leading her to found and direct the marine program "No Blue, No Green" at Rewilding Argentina. On this path, Martina became deeply involved in the creation of Argentina's first MPAs, and understanding the necessity of an organisation fully dedicated to marine conservation, she set off to found PEM. As co-founder and director, her role involves managing institutional relationships, dreaming of the organisation's future, and fundraising to make those dreams a reality. She also guides team leaders in their quest for conservation, continuing to fill her life with sea stories while making history in protecting it.

Maia's love for the ocean is a cherished family heritage. Her grandparents were avid divers and sailors, living and spending most of their time by the sea. They passed their passion and love for the ocean through generations. When asked about the experiences that forged her bond with the ocean, Maia explains it was part of her upbringing. For years, Maia led her own 360 agency dedicated to NGOs, together with her sister Lara, and working closely with lifelong friend Martina, with whom they also advocated for the creation of Argentina's first MPAs. In 2022, after much effort and collaborative work, they co-founded PEM with the dream of implementing a shared vision for marine conservation. As Co-Founder and Impact Director, Maia shapes the organisation's values, sets the course for macro goals, and advises teams on strategic matters, ensuring PEM is surfing in the pocket of the wave of change.

Lara's journey with PEM began before it had a name. Following the creation of Argentina's first MPAs after two years of dedicated work, Lara and the team drove back from Congress feeling that anything was possible. That day, in celebration, they envisioned the future and dreamt about PEM. Today, as co-founder, Lara ensures PEM stays true to its innovative roots, and as finance director, she oversees the organisation's economic and financial planning. Before founding PEM, she co-founded the marine conservation program "No Blue, No Green" alongside Maia and Martina and led a 360° marketing agency dedicated to NGOs, where she also handled financial planning. Her background in fine arts and design thinking combined with her passion for numbers have made it easy for her to build large systems, –such as the organisation itself–, while still keeping an eye on creativity. 

On her way back, she felt grateful and inspired by the immense happiness during her days of beach, sea, and surf shared with her family. It was at that very moment that Lara's journey.

Cecilia began working with PEM because of a thermos. Long story short, PEM´s Founder, Lara, forgot hers at an event where they met, and, aware that they lived blocks away, Cecilia took it with her. Three months later, when Lara finally went by to pick it up, PEM was seeking a coordinator for the GSFR, and Cecilia was seeking change. Before this, with a background in politics and international relations, she worked for the government which taught her how to master a foundational pillar in her new role: the collaboration with local communities. Today, Cecilia has grown to be projects director and she is responsible for the alignment across all teams. From returning a thermos back home, to bringing teams and people together, Cecilia is always a bridge and helps PEM connect today’s hopes with tomorrow's reality.

Cristian was only 12 when he first put on a diving mask and jumped into the sea. From then on, he knew his life would be tied to the ocean. He has a PhD in Biology and has dedicated his career to studying marine biodiversity and ocean conservation. His research and National Geographic explorer work led him to undertake numerous scientific expeditions to explore and document marine ecosystems. As a scientific diver and underwater cameraman, Cristian has also generated numerous audiovisual content to promote empathy for marine conservation. As director of science and conservation at PEM, Cristian plans and develops conservation strategies, defines lines of research within projects, and leads the conservation team. His favorite job is leading scientific expeditions, where he has to dive to document the ever-changing marine life that has captivated him since childhood.

Romina believes the sea is a necessary poem and one of nature's most powerful designs. As with the sea, she fell in love with PEM's cause and mission and decided to join. In her role, she's in charge of managing the team, developing strategies and creative campaigns, and consolidating all communication channels while planning the coverage for events and expeditions led by each project. She has more than ten years of experience in the field but she's known her vocation since she was a child and went from writing her own newspaper at seven, to coordinating the art team at the city government of Buenos Aires. She's got a bachelor's in Social Communication, loves to learn about visual arts, and in her free time, explores the conservation of ancient photographs. Preserving the beauty of life, making it visible, and telling its story is her purpose above and beneath the waves.

Manuel has been working at P.E.M. since the very beginning. He began working with its founders in 2017 and took part in the creation of Península Mitre´s MPA and the regulation of salmon farming in Tierra del Fuego. As the Press Manager, his job is to ensure the organisation´s presence across local, national, and international media, while positioning relevant topics and facilitating interactions between PEM´s representatives and the press. Manuel is also the founder of “El Rompehielos", a documentary production studio and digital news publisher that focuses on environment-related events in argentine Patagonia, his homeland. Raised on the island of Tierra del Fuego, he grew up surrounded by sea, where kelp forests and marine life were part of the landscape that remains today and that he works to preserve.

Sofía's story with PEM began with a longing for meaningful change. She has a background in business administration and a master's in public policy specialising in environmental management, and she has training in environmental leadership. She is also a passionate diver, but she was submerged in the hustle of the corporate world, where she gained experience in finance and sustainability. Yet, one day she set out to make a difference and became a volunteer in a conservation organisation. Her path then led her to PEM's door and drawn in by the organisation's mission and the people she met, Sofía found her place and became a cornerstone in the Strategy and Partnerships team. Her favourite element is water and her most cherished memories are seeing her dog play in the sea, and diving with whale sharks. As her commitment to the cause, her love for the ocean runs deep.

Carolina joined PEM towards the end of 2022 and soon became a key member of the science and conservation team. Before PEM,  she had volunteered in different projects across Argentina and abroad, working with marine species. But having grown up in a city apartment, her love for the sea came later in life and struck her like a wave. After diving for the first time, she knew she would spend every possible moment underwater, and decided to steer her career towards the ocean. She then spent three years working on marine conservation projects with local communities along the coast of Chubut, where she also completed her biology degree thesis while falling in love with the Patagonian sea. Today, as the science and conservation coordinator, Caro ensures the team achieves its goals by overseeing various projects, including kelp forests, shark conservation, and ocean farming. She also actively participates in fieldwork, performing her skills as a scientific diver and fulfilling her life goal of being underwater.

Sharing the vision of its founders, Angie joined PEM before it officially began. From the start, she has coordinated the Kelp conservation project in Tierra del Fuego, driving local conservation policies and legal strategies to protect these sea forests. As a lawyer, she has worked in Congress and law firms, but for the past six years, her focus has been on marine conservation. Angie was instrumental in the movement that banned salmon farming in Tierra del Fuego in 2021 and advocated for the creation of the Peninsula Mitre Protected Area in 2022. Throughout this journey, she recognized the crucial role of communities in conservation, and her current work also emphasises strengthening the local communities' bond with the ocean.

Mariano met the foundation's team during his last year as secretary of environment of Santa Cruz, thanks to the collaborative work between the provincial government and PEM. Upon concluding his duties, in 2024, he joined the organisation as project coordinator, building on his more than 18 years of experience dedicated to the environment. Every conservation project, he explains, requires an approach that integrates social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects, so in his role, he seeks to bridge the various societal actors involved for projects to develop in harmony with the local communities. His connection with the sea began in childhood, fishing for king crabs with his father during the extraordinary tides of December. As the sea receded, a new, captivating world emerged exposing the sea bed, with its octopuses, starfish, algae and mussels. Today, he has been reunited with that world, embracing new challenges and the responsibility to protect it.

Cata belongs to the coast, nature, and the sea. This deeply rooted sense of belonging has always influenced the course of her life, leading her to join PEM in 2023. Before PEM, she studied Political Sciences, aiming to make a meaningful impact in people's lives. She worked in government roles supporting young people in vulnerable situations and studied in Germany, where she learned the language and was inspired by a culture deeply rooted in environmental care. These experiences steered her life towards conservation. As Director of The GSFR, Cata is dedicated to protecting the ocean from salmon farming, collaborating with NGOs, activists, and coastal communities globally, and amplifying local efforts with international support. In tandem with this mission, Cata loves simple moments in life. The ones she appreciates the most are sunrises and sunsets at sea, so vast that it seems endless, where the sunlight beams, reflecting colours on the water that seem imagined. It's these moments that renew her commitment to the ocean.

Guada holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration, a master’s in Finance, and has extensive experience across various sectors. Before joining PEM, she was the CFO of a crypto group and had also worked in oil and gas, international auditing, taxes, and exchange travel. Her dedication to service and impact had always run alongside her professional life, participating in volunteer programs dedicated to people and the environment, and teaching at the local university to give back to the institution that shaped her. But just like distant rivers merge in the ocean, these seemingly parallel paths united at PEM when she became head of finance and administration, leading the team responsible for the financial stability and operational efficiency of the organisation. Guada’s first memories of the ocean are filled with play, fun, and shared moments during vacations at the coast with her family. The sea, she shares, has always been her refuge and a place to come back to.

Agustina has always worked for nature. With a degree in Environmental Management, she gained her experience from different areas by working both for the private sector, and the government. She joined PEM in 2023 seeking change, and an opportunity to truly make a difference. At PEM, Agus coordinates the GSFR, a global alliance dedicated to fighting against the fastest-growing industry in the world, the salmon farming industry. When asked about her relationship with the ocean, she shares that its power fills her with energy and that she´s often been told that in a past life, she could breathe underwater. My guess: she was a salmon, and that's how she learned to boldly swim against the current.

Ana´s love for the sea is rooted in her childhood. Her most treasured memories are about walking towards the sea, swimming for hours, and witnessing unique sunsets over La Mar Grande, in the province of Río Negro during family holidays. Before working with PEM, Ana founded an organisation named “Estepa y Río'' dedicated to encouraging a sustainable relationship with nature by driving awareness about the local environment and organising outdoor activities for young people and children. Today, as a local leader at PEM, she’s in charge of sharing the scientific information gathered by the conservation team in Santa Cruz, by creating, leading, promoting, and implementing cultural activities for the community. Her work has been fundamental in forging the local peoples’ bond with the sea, which is reflected by every milestone supported by a community determined to preserve it.

Ande joined PEM in April 2024 with the goal of getting his skills to work for a greater cause. As the press coordinator, his role is to ensure PEM's messages reach as many people as possible, and his personal goal is to bring marine environmental issues to the forefront of major national media outlets. With a degree in journalism, Ande was involved in print media and in recent years, he worked as a TV producer. These experiences provided him with the knowledge and expertise to understand what the media looks for when covering stories and how to create newsworthy content from seemingly ordinary events. Ande’s connection to the sea is my personal favourite. Family lore suggests it was impossible to leave him alone on the beach as a child because he wouldn't stop eating sand. At PEM, all ocean lovers are welcome, no matter their preferences. 

Edu holds a lifelong love for the ocean and ten years of experience dedicated to it. On this path, he has worked on integrated coastal management, creation and strengthening of marine protected areas, and environmental planning in coastal municipalities. Aware that they shared the same passion, he joined PEM from the start to help create regulatory frameworks that ensure legal security for environmental strategies. His role involves drafting legal documents and providing advice on environmental and marine law. Edu's love for the ocean dates back to childhood summers at Playa Unión, where his great-uncle, a history lecturer and nature enthusiast, would take him to explore marine life and fossils on the coast. These experiences opened his eyes to the vast life and mysteries of the sea, revealing that there was much more to it than just waves and salt water and inspiring his vocation for marine conservation.

Francisco has always been passionate about marine life. He is a soon-to-be biologist, and as an activist, it made sense to make his interests meet when he was offered the role of volunteers coordinator. He leads activities both in person and remotely since PEM's volunteers are located all over the country. He understands that anyone can contribute to marine conservation, regardless of their location or occupation, and that there are many ways to get involved, such as sharing the significance of our oceans and integrating this awareness into our daily lives. Before becoming volunteers coordinator, Fran was a volunteer himself and understood the need to provide activists with a supportive space where environmental concerns could be turned into action by powering ideas and supporting initiatives in fellowship. That is why, at PEM, he works to bring people together and build a community based on the drive to preserve the ocean.

Francisco holds a degree in Business Sciences, a diploma in Circular Economy and a specialisation in Environmental Management and Sustainability.  He gained his experience in finance working for big companies like SAP, Accenture, and Campari but his lifelong love for nature made him spin his life around by seeking to work for big causes instead. In 2023 he joined PEM as a financial planner, managing financial operations across all projects. His connection to the ocean has been a constant in his life, sparked by a childhood fascination with marine life, reading encyclopaedias, and watching marine documentaries. Today, he is also a passionate diver, and when he’s not submerged in the ocean sighting marine life, he’s submerged in papers, numbers, and plans to protect it.

Iara is an illustrator, tattoo artist, and nature lover. She graduated as a graphic designer at the University of Buenos Aires, and gained her experience working in marketing and branding agencies for 8 years. Simultaneously, she volunteered in environmental projects, and eventually, the desire to merge her work with a meaningful cause materialised when she joined PEM in 2024. Her role is focused on impactful communication—creating designs and visuals that highlight the project’s message and ensure it stands out. Drawn to its immensity since always, growing up Iara understood that the ocean is also home to countless creatures, and she felt compelled to protect it. Today, she identifies as a communicator for the sea, lending her voice to those who cannot speak but who live, breathe, and feel the ocean, just as we all do.

Jonathan's heritage has been rooted in the sea for generations. His childhood memories are filled with images of rowing boats and fish boxes in San Julián Bay, and, like his ancestors, he grew up a fisherman. He then gained experience in seafood farming, which led him to visit border provinces in Argentina, and Chile, to learn about different ways of mussel production. But eventually, the unfavourable situation artisanal fishermen faced led him to walk away from the ocean, and into a mine. Yet, in 2023 an opportunity to work with PEM as a local leader in Santa Cruz brought him back to his roots. His job is now to develop a regenerative algae farm pilot with the conservation team. And his wish is to keep working at sea finding sustainable alternatives to create opportunities for generations to come.

Juli joined the team in 2023 with the goal of developing the People area around PEM´s unique work culture. In her role, she works to provide the necessary framework for effective communication and strategic alignment within the organisation. She also works closely with everyone in PEM supporting people's experiences, and promotes innovative policies building a collaborative and creative work environment. She has 10 years of experience coordinating teams, and studies in agile methodologies including a Scrum Master Professional Certificate. Juli was inspired by her friend Martina, whose conservation journey and vision of caring for the sea sparked her desire to join PEM. Connecting the people at PEM is, in her words, Juli’s humble contribution to an immense cause, and while it brings her great happiness, it also keeps her feet in the sand, to protect the sea.

Mariana joined PEM because she deeply resonated with its mission to protect the ocean and its biodiversity. Her role is to provide legal advice for the organization’s various projects and strategies.

Before joining PEM, she worked for the Chamber of Deputies of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the Commission of Maritime, Port, and Fisheries Interests, and was the Director of Legal Affairs at the Science and Technology Secretariat of Chubut. She was also key in the development of a robust framework that bans salmon farms in Tierra del Fuego.

Mariana holds a law degree, a master’s in Environmental Management and Audits, and a specialization in Oceanography and Marine Resources. The sea, always present in her life, is her greatest source of inspiration: she grew up by the coast, and that connection to the ocean continues to guide her work and her purpose.

Mili's connection to the ocean was forged through family fishing trips and vacations to nearby beaches. One of her most vivid childhood memories is of unsuccessfully looking for burrowing bivalves with her toy shovel in the intertidal zone at 6 years old. These experiences sparked her curiosity for marine life and led her to study Biological Sciences, including Marine Botany at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Argentina. Due to her thesis work, she was involved in an algae research group for two years, which deepened her love for seaweed and laid the foundation for her current role. Today, she is the hatchery manager for the regenerative marine farm project at PEM, where she is responsible for functionality and environmental monitoring, and for nurturing her beloved seaweed from spore development to their release into the ocean.

Natalia´s deep commitment to conservation comes from her childhood. She grew up in the Rioplatense basin which inspired her care for nature, and volunteered in various environmental and social projects. With a degree in Graphic Design and various courses with environmental themes complement her role as creative project manager. In her position, Natalia articulates the team's work based on each project's necessities and goals. Before PEM, she worked as a graphic designer for many years, and gained experience coordinating the communication of cultural spaces with a focus on design. These experiences shaped her view of communication, understanding it as a vital tool in driving social change, which is now applied to raise awareness about the ocean.

Noel began working at PEM in January 2023, continuing a decade-long journey in environmental journalism and activism. She is dedicated to the kelp forest conservation project in Santa Cruz, coordinating the on-site team to ensure actions are aligned with the local community and organisational goals, transforming kelp forests into a cultural value. Before joining PEM, Noel volunteered with the NGO Ríos to Rivers, training young people on the impact of hydroelectric dams and coordinating international exchanges. She also founded the first socio-environmental civil association, "Mata Negra," in her local area and developed her degree thesis in Social Communication, focusing on the conservation of wetlands in Buenos Aires province. In 2020, she received an honorary award from the Argentine Senate for her work in river protection. Her hometown is surrounded by the sea, which she perceives as a daily embrace, and returns it with love and dedication to its conservation.

In April 2024, as Silvi was seeking change, PEM was seeking an administration analyst and because working with purpose is something she always found fulfilling, she didn't hesitate to join. She has a background in similar roles for over 9 years, and one of her favourite experiences was at a B corporation dedicated to collecting recyclables from large generators. Making a positive impact in the environment was then and is still today, her top drive at work. At PEM, she performs various tasks across all projects, which involve staying informed about all conservation endeavours and providing support to fulfil them. Silvi loves nature, and being born in Uruguay all her summer memories are at the beach. Always the first one to dive into the sea, and the last one to come out, she was the fish of the family. 

Sofía holds a degree in Government and International Relations, with postgraduate studies in Sustainable Environmental Management and Local Development. With a career dedicated to the "third sector," she dreamt of finding a role where she could build on her experience of working alongside communities and her passion for marine conservation, and she found it with PEM. After moving to Tierra del Fuego in 2023, she joined the team as a local leader, driving initiatives that embody PEM's core values. With a focus on community engagement, she promotes diverse cultural activities that enhance knowledge, respect, and care for the marine ecosystem. Her lifelong passion for the sea was nurtured by her father, who taught her how to swim and shared his love for diving, teaching her diving signs. Now Sofia nurtures that same passion in her local community.

A nature lover and adventure enthusiast, Sofi believes in living life to the fullest. And that’s what she was doing when she ran into PEM after an environmental movement she took part in. Though content in her previous job, she felt an irresistible pull towards PEM's mission and she joined the team as treasurer. With a background in similar roles for large corporations, she supervises transaction policies and develops the annual treasury budget while fostering connections with financial entities, ensuring the smooth flow of all the organisation's projects. Her connection with the sea began with playing in the waves and losing track of time during family holidays, and it evolved as she engaged in river sports and various environmental projects, which enabled her understanding of nature's interconnectedness and ultimately her connection with PEM.

Trini's unwavering passion for nature, especially the sea, jungle, and animals, has always fueled her adventurous spirit. Her family’s profound connection to the natural world nurtured her love for it from a young age. From childhood summers spent by the sea to unforgettable encounters with sharks, orcas, whales, dolphins, turtles and rays, the ocean has always been a source of inspiration and wonder for her. After graduating from high school, she decided to travel and settled on New Zealand's coast for ten years. There, she immersed herself in the local environment, taking on leadership roles and volunteering at the SPCA with animal welfare. During this period, she also explored over 20 countries, discovering different ways of life. However, it was the Māori culture of New Zealand that influenced her most deeply, instilling a greater reverence for the ocean and its protection. Equipped with the learnings from her travels and a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences, Trini returned to Argentina, eager to make a meaningful impact. In 2023, she joined the Strategy and Partnerships team at Por el Mar, where she is committed to fundraising for PEM's impactful projects as well as fulfilling her calling in conservation.

Valeria has been a graphic designer for more than 8 years in the field of visual communication. She is passionate about the arts and loves to explore different forms of expression, such as lettering and photography, UX design, drawing, and painting. She joined PEM in 2023 looking for a new challenge, and found herself drawn to its unstoppable mission of safeguarding the ocean. Connected with her creativity and sensibility, she works translating ideas into visual pieces that upgrade the messages throughout campaigns. As a child she would spend hours curiously observing the immensity of the sea and swimming in its waters. The sea, for Valeria, has always been an adventure and also a source of inspiration and calm. Today she is immersed in creating captivating images to raise awareness about the ocean.

Vicky is a graphic designer, yet years ago she submerged into the world of communication learning about copywriting and social media which transformed her work in many ways. She joined PEM in 2023 as a content creator and shares that this playful and fun role also involves great responsibility. In a world where we are constantly exposed to information, captivating others' attention is not easy, but this challenge is what she loves, and she tackles it with creativity to tell PEMs story alongside that of the oceans. But what about Vicky´s story with the ocean? As a child, the ocean’s immensity and strength would terrify her until her mom told her that beneath the sea, life was taking place and leaving a trace. Now she fearlessly wields the vast world of social media, because like in the vast world beneath the waves, life is leaving a trace and the oceans must be seen and heard.