Our team of highly committed staff who manage the Foundation’s day-to-day operations and programs.
Anissa Lawrence
Managing Director, Founder
Anissa Lawrence brings expertise in environmental science, coastal and marine natural resource management (NRM) and conservation, environmental communication, business and risk management. She has over 24 years experience in developing and communicating strategic solutions and managing people, projects and businesses towards sustainability. As the Managing Director and Founder of TierraMar, Anissa has worked to build the capacity of NRM and conservation programme delivery agents in the private sector and governments to achieve better outcomes. This work has included strategic assistance to develop regional and national conservation frameworks, programme development, implementation and assessment, monitoring and evaluation framework development and implementation and the review of on-the-ground conservation and NRM projects.
Anissa has previously held leadership positions in a number of Australian conservation NGOs where she focused on improving the sustainability of Australian fisheries and coastal and marine ecosystems. In these roles she provided effective policy and governance advice and delivered industry, government and community partnerships, as well effective large scale strategic education, communication and extension programmes to industry and on-the- ground coastal habitat conservation and rehabilitation programmes.
She has held senior positions in a number of leading international consulting and professional services firms where she provided expertise in environmental, business, operational and technological risk management, systems and process design and control, and strategic planning and management. Anissa has worked across nearly every industry sector and with all types of organisations from blue chip companies to government departments both nationally and internationally in this capacity.
Anissa has a Bachelor of Business and a Masters in Environmental Science. She is also an Australian Chartered Accountant a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP), a Marine Stewardship Council accredited assessor and a fellow of the Winston Churchill Trust.
Recent publications: Co-author, Marine Policy
Dr Ray Nias
Director
Ray has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Flinders University) and a PhD in Zoology (UNE). From 1988 – 2009, he was the Director of Conservation for WWF Australia and led the development of WWF Australia’s large and growing program of conservation related activities including the management of research, policy development, advocacy, and community outreach programs. In 2009, he helped establish TierraMar with the aim of assisting organisations that work on coastal and marine conservation issues in Australia, South-east Asia and the Pacific. From 20012 – 2018, Ray was the Director, Southwest Pacific Region for the international NGO Island Conservation.
Bridget Jackson
Communications & Marketing Manager
Bridget is a strategic communications specialist with over two decades expertise in the design and delivery of compelling programs. As OceanEarth Foundation’s Communications and Marketing Manager, she helps tell our stories of change and celebrate the positive social and environmental impact we’re having.
A creative systems thinker, Bridget’s experience spans the private, government and not-for-profit sectors where she’s spearheaded numerous programs, recently winning several prominent conservation campaigns.
Her childhood in rural England set the stage for a life exploring and relishing wild places - through multi-day adventures, trail running, climbing and canyoning.
Bridget studied creative arts (Middlesex and London Universities), is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Social Impact at UNSW and was one of eighty women chosen globally to contribute to the Palgrave International Handbook of Women and Outdoor Learning.
Jessica Leck
GhostNets Australia Program Manager
Jess has a background in biodiversity conservation, spanning more than a decade, and brings experience in environmental research and project management. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, a Master's degree in Conservation Biology, and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Climate Policy.
Prior to her current role, Jess’ experience encompasses the academic, government, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental challenges, facilitation styles and stakeholder management.
Jess believes one of the most valuable solutions to the crises our planet faces is in increasing eco-literacy, and therefore the capacity, of communities to care for their environments. Thankfully, the GhostNets Australia program aligns perfectly with this, bringing together her passions for environmental conservation, community-led solutions and scientific communication.
Beyond her professional commitments, Jessica remains closely connected to the ocean. She finds calm and inspiration from surfing, freediving, and scientific illustration, where she captures the beauty and importance of marine ecosystems.
Jessica Nias
Program Officer
Jessica's experience encompasses project planning, management and evaluation, stakeholder engagement and communications, technical and report writing, and contract management. She is passionate about innovative solutions that can solve environmental problems as well as supporting communities; from nature-based solutions, to new recycling technologies or partnerships that break down barriers between stakeholders. She represents TierraMar on the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) Nature-based Solutions Working Group.
Jessica has a Bachelor of Environment from Macquarie University and a Masters in Commerce specialising in Marketing and Business Organisation & Management. In 2019, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture at Charles Sturt University. Prior to TierraMar, she had 10 years experience in small business management in Australia and the Pacific, including communications, marketing, project management, and community engagement.
Claudette Rechtorik
Ocean Youth Program Manager, Founder
Claudette has over 25 years' experience working in the environmental education and conservation space. She is a passionate and driven environmental educator with a strong focus on building the capacity of youth to influence positive action for our environment. She founded and managed the SEA LIFE Conservation Trust, partnering with SEA LIFE aquaria to embed ocean conservation as a strategic focus for the global brand. In 2015 she founded Ocean Youth, a program aimed at empowering youth on their journey to take action for our ocean. Claudette has a BSc (Ecology), MSc (Env. Sc.) and MTeach (Secondary). Claudette currently works P/T as a high school science teacher to better understand the curriculum and how to embed sustainability in schools as a Cross Curriculum Priority.
Helen Rosoux
Finance Manager
Helen has over 25 years experience in managing finance departments and providing accounting solutions. Her experience includes large media and production departments in the advertising and movie industries, Natural Resource Managements (NRM) professional service companies, and environmental conservation not for profit organisations, particularly relating to coastal, marine and fisheries.
Her working knowledge in sales, marketing, operations analysis, data processing, mathematics, economics, accounting, auditing, tax, and budgeting gives her the ability to run the business effectively and efficiently.