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Surfrider Paddle For Clean - copyright Brian Good-096

San Diego Chapter Executive Committee

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Ben Rubenson
Executive Committee Chair
(he/him)

Ben has been involved with Surfrider since 2016, joining the Executive Committee in 2023 and previously working with the Blue Water Task Force (BWTF), Rise Above Plastics, and Ocean Friendly Restaurants Programs.  Whether its surfing, snorkeling, open water swimming or running, Ben tries to spend as much time at the beach as possible.  He is looking forward to getting further involved with Surfrider as Chair of the Executive Committee.
Udo Wahn, M.D.

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. 

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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. 

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Simone Fraid
Executive Committee Volunteer Coordinator
(she/her)

Simone grew up in Dallas, TX, hundreds of miles away from any coastline, but once she experienced life by the beach, she was hooked in, and felt drawn to helping protect the special gift of the ocean and its shores. Simone became active in Surfrider through beach cleanups and water sampling for the Blue Water Task Force. She loves to paddleboard, hike and travel in her free time. Simone is excited to delve deeper into Surfrider through the EC!
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Addison (Addie) Gleekel
Executive Committee Secretary
(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.
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Corie Sandor
Executive Committee Member
(she/her)

Corie was born and raised in Southern California, with a passion for ocean, community and helping youth find their personal purpose.  Dedicated to future success, she has focused on education as a solution for change.  As the co-founder of a nonprofit organization, she provides an array of programs to local public schools.  In addition to philanthropic work in San Diego, she also works on youth projects abroad.  Guided by her personal passion and hobbies, she has found opportunities to support ocean-related education and programs through her work with SURFAID, SDSI, Give and Surf and other nonprofit organizations.  
As a new member of the Surfrider Executive Committee, she looks forward to using her talents to support the mission of the organization.
 
BS, Human Development Emp. Children's Services, CSUSM
MA, Educational Leadership Emp. Technology, SDSU
CEO, Co-Founder, BASE Programs
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Yusef Miller
Executive Committee Member

SRSD Paddle For Clean Water 2023-11

Tom Cook
Executive Committee Member
(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.
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Sunshine Johnson
Executive Committee Member
(she/her)

Bio coming soon!