Valued San Diego County Surfrider members,
Welcome to our 2022-23 Executive Committee (EC) member voting page. Thank you for your membership, your support, and your vote!
The 2022 EC will be comprised of 9 volunteer members who serve as our chapter-level Board of Directors. This year's vote will be to fill 5 open spaces for the 2022-2023 term (each term is 2 years; EC members can serve multiple terms as long as they serve in a different role each term).
As we have 6 candidates, please take a moment to familiarize yourselves with them below. You can vote for your top 5 at the bottom on this post*. If you would like to vote but are not an active Surfrider member within San Diego County, you can renew HERE.
*If you have any questions or issues, please email mitch@surfridersd.org for assistance.
The Candidates
Udo Wahn, MD
Candidate Statement
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
As a dedicated coastal defender for a lifetime and Surfrider Member since 1980’s I want to be an impactful member of the EC in further building relationships and stoking collaboration to further our mission. I’m dedicated to continue advocating for beach preservation and pushing climate friendly policy along with supporting all the other important programs Surfrider SD is involved with. Having served 2 terms on the EC in the past, I feel qualified to serve once again providing my experience in calling on the contacts and relationships in the community that I have built to advance the work of Surfrider SD. I have been active in hiring qualified leaders for our chapter, such as Chapter Manager, Policy Manager, and Beach Cleanup Coordinator. I have extensive experience with major event planning. As a Distinguished Toastmaster I bring those skills when speaking to City Councils and other public and governmental agencies. I am a Certified Climate Reality Leader, trained by former Vice President Al Gore. I am very excited to serve our Chapter!
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
My skills include major event planning, public speaking to City Councils as a Distinguished Toastmaster, interviewing experience for Surfrider SD job positions while a member of the EC in the past. I am able to participate in meetings in a meaningful way with the ability to establish consensus and team building.
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Surfrider member since late 1980’s. Core volunteer since 2007. Executive Committee Member for 4 years, 2016-2019. Planned major events: Surfrider SD and LA Chapter Retreat, Rise Above Plastics event featuring Jack Johnson and 5 Gyres, and two Surfrider EC Leadership Retreats. Attended Leadership Retreats in both Marin with West Coast Surfrider Chapters and a SoCal Leadership Retreat in Newport Beach. Member of Hiring Committee for 2 Policy Managers, Chapter Manager and Beach Cleanup Coordinator. I was EC rep to our Climate Committee for 4 years. Heavy involvement with our Beach Preservation program recently fighting the destructive projects proposed by SANDAG and NCTD on the Del Mar Bluffs. I have either spoken to City councils and other agencies on behalf of Surfrider SD and written “Red Dot “ letters to City governments. I am a training Climate Reality Leader.
Ally celones Senturk
Candidate Statement
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
As an experienced core volunteer and committee lead, I have spent four years learning to serve my community better. I took advantage of every opportunity to work on growing my skill set. From presenting in classrooms to media coverage and collaborating with local agencies – I can confidently say I know what it takes to run a thoughtful and successful Surfrider program.
In 2017, we relaunched the Blue Water Task Force in response to the disastrous Tijuana River Valley sewage spill. At the time, we hoped it would provide a local platform for community involvement and engagement in Imperial Beach. Over the years, we grew from two sites to 16 sites spanning almost all of the San Diego coastline, from Imperial Beach to Oceanside. Each year we reached more people, forged new partnerships, and challenged ourselves to grow a little bit more.
And that’s what I intend to do on the Executive Committee. With your support, I will push us to become better and grow a little bit more.
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Communications
Digital marketing
Leadership
Podcasting
Project management
Video editing
Creative art direction
Storytelling
Public speaking
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
As a Surfrider volunteer, I helped relaunch the Blue Water Task Force in 2017 and spent the last four years co-leading the program. Our mission is to communicate the importance of water quality and public health. We focus on building community through science, and education, and outreach.
Professionally, I was recently hired as the Communications and Outreach Manager for San Diego Coastkeeper, a clean water watchdog organization that our chapter works very closely with. Coastkeeper specializes in regional water supply and water quality advocacy, legal enforcement, education, and outreach.
Kelsey Pickert
Candidate Statement
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
I am running for a second term as a Surfrider SD Executive Committee Member because of my unwavering love and commitment to ocean protection! I firmly believe that equitable access to clean public beaches is not just a luxury of living in San Diego County – but also a right.
In my time on the Executive Committee, I have supported fundraising and event-planning efforts for our largest annual events, hosted multiple beach cleanups, recruited new volunteers, and monitored red curb violations & coastal development with the Beach Preservation Committee – and I’m just getting started.
In my second term, I hope to deepen the impact of my volunteer work and expand the reach of Surfrider’s mission. I will continue to advocate for diverse representation in our beach communities and recommit myself to making our beaches accessible to all. Please consider voting for me, Kelsey P!
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
I’m a creative and passionate marketing professional who will apply my communication skills into advocating for our oceans, waves, and beaches. My ability to make complex information about ocean conservation or beach preservation accessible to different audiences helps me recruit and engage volunteers of all backgrounds. I take pride in my ability to foster curiosity and spark passion in beach-lovers that grows our powerful activist network.
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
As previously mentioned, I am applying for my second-term on Surfrider’s Executive Committee. In addition to two years of dedicated service as an EC member, I have previously volunteered with Surfrider SD as a Development Intern and Events & Fundraising Volunteer. I am going on four years of involvement with Surfrider and I plan to use my years of experience to help continue supporting the important work of our chapter.
In my professional life, you can find me working at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park advocating for social justice and racial equity through immersive exhibits and programming!
Carly Kupka
Candidate Statement
Please list any qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
I am deciding to leave my current role as the Climate Change Committee co-lead to join the Executive Committee. I have considered making this change for a couple years now, and believe that now is the right time. I hope to gain more insight as to how the chapter works as a whole, and how my skills and strengths can lend to the efforts and activities of the San Diego chapter. While I love my current role on the Climate Change Committee, I believe being involved in the larger mission of Surfrider and its multiple committees, as well as learning more about the legalities and internal policies that drive this Chapter, can help make me a better, well-rounded leader for this organization.
Please list any qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
I’ve got passion, and I believe that is a core quality needed for being an activist. But I also have a curiosity to learn how a chapter like this works, and how its Executive Committee can help steer and guide Surfrider’s mission. I feel strongly about local activism, and truly believe the best and most effective work can be done at the local level. I feel comfortable and confident speaking up at city council meetings, running or advocating for our current campaigns, and working with our local elected officials. But most importantly, I have always felt like the ocean was home to me, and I want to do anything and all that I can to help protect it.
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
For the last 3 years I have been the co-lead of Surfrider’s Climate Change committee here in San Diego. Prior to that, I was an active volunteer with Surfrider, and also attended Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and became a trained leader there. When I lived in Oregon, I worked in stormwater management and advocated for clean and healthy waterways throughout the City. And I was also a volunteer on the Willamette Falls Legacy Project in Oregon City and advocated for sustainable buildings and revitalization of the City’s open spaces.
Greg Kuchan
Candidate Statement
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
I am an avid beach goer, surfer and enthusiast of nature. Our Oceans and coastlines are the front line to the changing climate. As a former boat captain, I have seen way more than my fair share of the terrible practices boat/fishing/scuba charters have for the ocean. Throughout my travels internationally I have seen the effects on the culture/people of areas that rely on the ocean being devastated by pollution and climate change. As a real estate agent, I know the value to our communities and taxes our coastal properties bring for our communities. We must preserve and protect our environment from further destruction as every generation inherits a new baseline of what nature “should” look like. My life and values have been shaped by water and I now have the time and means to give back. I would be honored to serve on this committee and do my part to make a difference.
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
I have studied personalities and communication styles for the last 4 years. I am a social chameleon that can adapt to every situation and communicate effectively with anyone. I am passionate and some times obsessive when it comes to completing a task. I know 95% of the time I am not the expert in the room and I am willing to take advise and learn from my mistakes. My job as a consultant is to be able to asses information and look for the best solutions in any/all areas of life. As well as leaning on the experts to make informed decisions.
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Surfrider: I have coordinated beach clean ups in PB. I have attended the smaller group sessions for specific interest groups we have. I have also been a surf instructor for SD kids from the inner city to teach them surfing. As well as a surf instructor for AWOW. A surf therapy charity that helps teach kids with special needs surfing. I have volunteered to clean up our river systems with SD River Park Foundation
Simone Fraid
Candidate Statement
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
Candidate Statement
Like all of us within Surfrider, I have a tremendous love and respect of the ocean and everything it gives to our community. I am running for the Executive Committee because I want to go deeper into the organization and help build on Surfrider’s strong impact.
As a communications professional in my work life, I help uncover the needs and interests of various people and groups. I can apply that skill to the EC; I’ll listen more than I speak, and I’ll work to promote the diverse perspectives of our community.
I also believe experience is a great teacher. Whether it’s water sampling, picking up beach litter or researching solutions, I’m keen to do whatever needs doing— and share any learnings with the EC along the way.
Lastly, I enjoy participating in large project groups; I work hard to build relationships across teams to get work done and share camaraderie. I would love to share this collaborative energy within Surfrider!
I hope for these reasons, you’ll consider me for the Executive Committee.
Qualities or skills you possess that would benefit the Executive Committee and the Chapter
-Written communications, building communications/marketing strategy, stakeholder analysis
-Project management
-Certifications:
TRUE Advisor certification (zero waste)
LEED Green Associate certification
Sustainable Business Practices certification (in progress)
-Strategic thinking and consulting
-Relationship building
-Dependability
-Paddle boarding :)
Previous involvement with Surfrider, or other advocacy groups
I am an active member of the Blue Water Task Force, have participated in several beach cleanups and captained a Strike Team beach cleanup. I have attended some calls for Rise Above Plastics this year, and am hoping to participate more frequently within that group. I also consult for Open Sustainability Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on helping organizations achieve their Sustainable Development Goals.
Please vote for your top 5 candidates
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