San Diego Chapter Executive Committee
Tom Cook
Executive Committee Chair
(he/him)
Tom has been volunteering with Surfrider since the late 1990s when he and other concerned surfers revitalized the South Florida (now Miami) Surfrider chapter to bring awareness to issues of beach litter and coastal preservation along eroding coastlines. His interest in shoreline issues continued after moving to San Diego in mid 2000s, where he served as co-chair of the Beach Preservation committee and led the Chapter's efforts for Surf Spot monitoring surrounding SANDAG's 2012 Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP 2). He believes that no one can own the beach, and strongly supports California's Coastal Act and its doctrine enshrining the public’s right of access to the beach, ocean and coastal waterways. When he's not surfing at one of San Diego's precious surf breaks, he can likely be found on a bike exploring one of the county's backcountry trails.
Udo Wahn, M.D.
Executive Committee Vice Chair
(he/him)
A retired Assistant Professor of Reproductive Medicine at UCSD and Kaiser, Udo is a dedicated coastal defender and Surfrider member since the 1980’s. Having served 2 prior terms on the EC he is dedicated to continuing advocating for beach preservation, access and pushing climate friendly policy along with supporting all the other important programs Surfrider SD is involved with. In 2017 he became a Certified Climate Reality Leader, trained by former Vice President Al Gore. Loving retired life, living by the tides and participating in purposeful environmental activism.
Addison (Addie) Gleekel
Executive Committee Administrative Coordinator
(they/she)
Addie grew up with a deep love for water, surrounded by the abundant lakes of Minnesota. That love led them to the shores of Southern California, where they studied marine biology and discovered their passion for marine conservation. It was during local Surfrider beach cleanups where Addie connected with like-minded individuals who fueled their determination to enact tangible change. Addie envisions a future where they can empower fellow advocates for ocean conservation, driven by the belief that every living thing deserves access to clean water and beaches.
J.P. Bruner
Executive Committee Treasurer
(he/ him)
JP has spent the last 5 years as the chapter's Climate Change program lead. In this time, he advocated on behalf of the chapter for calls to end offshore oil drilling, strong climate action plans, community choice energy, and building electrification. From the beaches to the mountains, JP is passionate about being active outside. This passion led him to want to protect and advocate for the beautiful and important places that we all live and recreate in.
Acxel Herrera-Ibarra
Executive Committee Volunteer Coordinator
(he/him)
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!
Sunshine Johnson
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
(she/her)
A dedicated Surfrider volunteer and 2014 Volunteer of the Year, Sunshine brings over a decade of leadership and passion to the Surfrider San Diego chapter. With eight years of experience on the Executive Committee and a self-proclaimed role as the chapter's historian, Sunshine has led numerous initiatives, including the Paddle for Clean Water, Hold Onto Your Butts awareness campaigns, and countless beach cleanups. Beyond Surfrider, Sunshine volunteers with Porchlight Community Services, tackling food insecurity, and FIDO, supporting Fiesta Island’s off-leash dog park. Sunshine’s energy, experience, and commitment embody the Surfrider mission to protect and enjoy the ocean, waves, and beaches.
Kaliko Kahoonei
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
Kaliko Kahoonei is a passionate waterman and the founder of StayNmOcean, a surf program dedicated to fostering a deeper connection to the ocean while promoting safety and fun for the next generation. As a native Hawaiian, he carries with him the rich cultural values of respect for the ocean and its power, which he aims to pass on through his program. Based in Solana Beach, CA, he is committed to creating safer surf experiences and inspiring a love for the water in all who touch the sand. Whether surfing the waves or mentoring young ocean enthusiasts, Kaliko works to bridge the spirit of Aloha with a modern approach to ocean safety and education.
Katharine Callahan
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
(she/her)
A lifelong environmentalist, Katharine grew up exploring the lakes and temperate forests of New Jersey before pursuing a career in the nonprofit industry, predominantly in DEI and operational strategy roles. After nearly a decade working and volunteering in New York City, Katharine packed up and drove across the country to relocate to San Diego. Upon arriving, she signed up for a Surfrider beach cleanup, got a sick sunburn, and saw firsthand how dedicated the community is to protecting our oceans and beaches.
As a member of the Executive Committee, Katharine is committed to utilizing her experience in program, event, community, and strategy management to foster an inclusive and sustainable future for the Surfrider San Diego chapter. If you see her at an event, please remind her to reapply sunscreen.
As a member of the Executive Committee, Katharine is committed to utilizing her experience in program, event, community, and strategy management to foster an inclusive and sustainable future for the Surfrider San Diego chapter. If you see her at an event, please remind her to reapply sunscreen.
Vicki Conlon
Executive Committee Member-at-Large
(she/her)
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.