San Diego Chapter Executive Committee

Vicki has been fascinated with science and nature for as long as she can remember. This interest led her to pursue environmental studies and marine biology at San Diego State University. For over 25 years, Vicki developed and taught hands-on science curricula emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship. Vicki and her husband, who met surfing at the OB Pier, have been Surfrider members for over 20 years. In 2016, she discovered Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) program. A few months later, she became the OFR Lead for the San Diego Chapter. After eight years of learning and growing as a committee lead, Vicki feels ready for a new challenge and looks forward to furthering Surfrider's mission as part of the Chapter’s Executive Committee.

A San Diego–raised ocean advocate, community builder, and outdoor enthusiast dedicated to protecting and celebrating our coastlines. Through her work with SD Surf Nonprofit, Native Like Water, reconnects Indigenous youth to the ocean through surf therapy, cultural teachings, wellness practices, and environmental awareness. Inspired by biomimicry and her love for nature, Sophia is guided by principles of resilience, balance, and interconnectedness; creating her ability to build community through shared purpose and love for the ocean. As a member of Surfrider San Diego’s Executive Committee, Sophia is committed to ensuring that San Diego’s beaches remain healthy, accessible, and thriving for generations to come.

Born in Acapulco, Mexico, and now calling San Diego home, Acxel grew up inspired by the ocean’s beauty and strength. He studied International Relations at San Francisco State University and later Global Diplomacy at SciencePO. Passionate about public health, the environment, and access to clean water, Acxel volunteers with Surfrider as a Blue Water Task Force tester and Beach Cleanup Site Captain in Imperial Beach. In his free time, he enjoys coffee, gluten-free treats, and time with his pets—dogs Payton and Chewy, and kitten Sury. His goal? To spread love through ocean conservation!

The ocean has been the cornerstone of every community Margo has called home, from the Gulf Coast of Texas to Morocco’s fishing villages, the Chesapeake Bay to Florida’s coast, and now San Diego. A surfer, snorkeler, and fossilized shark tooth collector, she believes that with the privilege of enjoying the ocean comes the responsibility to protect it. Professionally, she is a PMP-certified Project Manager and IMA-certified Knowledge Manager with a background in political science, nonprofit management, and international program leadership. When she’s not in the water, you can find her walking her dog Benji, shooting film with her Fuji camera, or practicing French.

Eric began his Surfrider journey two years ago at Tamarack State Beach, where he launched Carlsbad’s first beach cleanups. As a dedicated site captain, he loves seeing the immediate impact volunteers make—and reminding them that their data collection fuels long-term advocacy at the city, county, state, and federal levels. Now joining the Executive Committee, Eric is excited to expand his impact across the chapter by collaborating with program leads and volunteers to protect San Diego’s coastal ecosystems. He brings the same drive and commitment that shaped Carlsbad’s cleanups, along with a professional background in strategy and partnership building. Eric believes in bringing joy and passion to the work by focusing on what you love. Outside of Surfrider, he and his wife also volunteer with the San Diego Food Bank.

A San Diego native with a love for the ocean and all things water, Gaby is a Surfrider newbie excited to deep dive into conservation and advocacy. She is a marketing professional by trade with experience in the education and nonprofit worlds. In her roles leading digital marketing and communication strategies, she leverages the power of storytelling to build connections between people and organizations. As part of the Executive Committee, she’s looking forward to using her skills and perspective to support Surfrider’s mission.

Janice brings a strong coastal science background to Surfrider, with a master’s in Marine Science, a Ph.D. in Marine Ecology, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Marine and Coastal Sciences. She has studied benthic species in surf zones and marshes and is passionate about tackling today’s coastal and climate challenges. She has also section-walked the California Coastal Trail from the Mexican border to Huntington Beach, documenting her journey on the Oceans Institute Instagram account. Beyond her scientific work, Janice runs Energywise Properties, focused on energy-efficient real estate, and owns Blue Ocean Autos, an EV-based rideshare business. She has partnered with the California Coastal Trail Association to host beach cleanups and is excited to support Surfrider through her expertise and community leadership.