San Diego Chapter Staff
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Joana Guerra
Chapter Manager
(She/Her/Ella)
As Surfrider’s San Diego Chapter Manager, Joana supports volunteer efforts, programs, and campaigns throughout San Diego County, with the help of committed volunteers fulfilling the Surfrider Foundation’s mission.
Before arriving at Surfrider, Joana connected children and adults to wildlife and habitats at the San Diego Zoo. Her previous roles have informed her skills and knowledge in guest engagement, advocacy, informal education, and program development. Most recently, Joana managed a local non-profit where she taught life skills to girls through running. She has led several DEI panels and facilitated conversations around accessibility for all in the field of conservation.
A local of San Diego, her passion for advocacy and conservation began in college. Joana studied Anthropology at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she grew an appreciation for culture, biology, and traveling. She has traveled to fourteen countries and is looking to add more to her list! Joana also likes to give back to the community by volunteering. One of her favorite volunteer opportunities came when she was able to collaborate with Latin American professionals in capacity-building programs in Mexico. If she's not working or traveling, she's most likely at a Padres baseball game with her brother. Joana also loves spending time with her family and friends, and never denies any dog asking for some pets and snuggles.
Email: jguerra@sandiego.surfrider.org
Mitch Silverstein
Policy Manager
(He/Him)
Mitch hails from Southern California and spent 10+ years in the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to San Diego in 2015. As an activist, he strives to raise awareness of how our everyday choices affect the ocean & planet, and advocates for sensible environmental policy at a local level. His ultimate goal is to see good environmental stewardship become mainstream, even “cool.” Mitch served in various volunteer leadership positions before being hired on as Chapter Manager in 2018. In 2022, Mitch transitioned to the chapter’s policy role. He aims to serve as a voice for San Diego’s coast at the local, regional, and state government levels.
When not fighting the good fight, Mitch likes to surf, paddle, ride his bike, and hang out with his nieces. He’s also a big sci-fi nerd, but don’t tell anyone.
Email: msilverstein@sandiego.surfrider.org
Sarah Davidson
CBWN Campaign Manager
(She/Her)
Sarah recently relocated to San Diego from Juneau, Alaska, where she spent the past five years working on water conservation and getting to know the incredible region and communities of Southeast Alaska. There, she hiked mountains with breathtaking vistas, communed with the whales at every possible chance, experienced occasional northern lights, explored ice caves and glaciers, caught her first wild salmon, and spent as much time on the water and learning from community members as possible.
Prior to Juneau, Sarah lived in Washington, DC, where she worked to minimize stormwater runoff into the Chesapeake Bay through community engagement and homeowner incentives for green infrastructure projects.
Sarah was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, and spent many summers enjoying the beach communities of San Diego. After obtaining a degree in marine biology from UC Santa Cruz, she spent much of her 20’s living and working abroad throughout the Mediterranean region. She returned to grad school at American University in DC and the University for Peace in Costa Rica in 2010 to pursue a degree focused on transboundary water conflict and cooperation, combining two of her greatest passions – social justice and water protection. Her other passions include photography, traveling, getting to know different cultures and participatory art projects.
(CBWN - Clean Border Water Now)
Email: sdavidson@surfrider.org
Gabriel Racca
Beach Cleanup Coordinator
(He/Him)
Born and raised in Paraguay and with a long detour to a landlocked state, Gabriel finally found his way to the beautiful and vast coastline of San Diego. And boy, oh buoy, is he excited to help keep our beaches clean!
Before Gabriel started supporting our amazing network of volunteers and coordinating beach cleanups all around the county, he spent nearly a decade working for a non-profit in Kansas City, focused on increasing healthy food access and equity and inspiring others to grow their own vegetables and fruits. He traded community gardens for sandy shores but continues to strive to make community spaces healthy and accessible for everyone.
When he’s not at the beach or office coordinating a cleanup, Gabriel likes to go hiking with Loki (his fabulous-looking pup), gardening, or find a pick-up soccer game around town.
Email: gracca@sandiego.surfrider.org
Surfrider Foundation San Diego County
3900 Cleveland Ave Ste. B, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 837-8221
info@surfridersd.org