Meet the Team
The Central Coast of California is not only an amazing place to live but brings a special feeling of community, a sense of place and some of the best people you could hope to meet. We thank our amazing team, board and volunteers for bringing marine science and education to our beautiful coast!
Board of Directors
Tim Williams
Board Chair
Entrepreneur, Digital West.
Leslie Terry
Secretary
Supervising Environmental Health Specialist in San Luis Obispo County.
John Lindsey
Director
Retired Meteorologist, PG&E.
Tara Kasarjian
Director
Business owner.
Christy Kasarjian
Treasurer
Staff
Kate Gillespie
Executive Director
Kate Gillespie serves as Executive Director of the Central Coast Aquarium, bringing a lifelong connection to the ocean and a strong foundation in organizational leadership. With over two decades of experience in property management, Kate offers extensive expertise in operations, team leadership, and strategic growth. She is passionate about fostering a collaborative culture, drawing daily inspiration from the Aquarium’s staff, docents, and the animals in their care. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to education, community engagement, and innovation, bringing people together in meaningful ways while advancing the Aquarium’s mission to inspire environmental responsibility across generations. Kate’s favorite part of the job is getting to learn every day from the incredible team at the Central Coast Aquarium.
Ashley Tjepkema
Director of Education & Programs
Ashley’s interest in marine science began by helping care for her family’s salt water fish tank and taking trips to the Hawaiian Islands as a child. She carried this passion with her to Cal Poly, where she studied Marine Science and grew an interest in teaching. After college, Ashley continued her path in ocean research and education in Savannah Georgia and San Luis Obispo. She joined the Central Coast Aquarium team in 2023, having volunteered as an Aquarium docent and aquarist in college. Her favorite ocean animals are fish (there’s too many to choose one, she’s a fish nerd and loves them all!), and her favorite part of her job is teaching students about the ocean and inspiring them to be curious and explore it!
Tatum Schneider
Director of Animal Husbandry
Tatum discovered her calling for animal care while growing up on abalone farms in central Chile. With a B.S in Marine Science from California Polytechnic State University, she leads the aquarist team supporting healthy, and biodiverse local ecosystems here at the CCA. Tatum’s favorite ocean animals are abalone, all 7 west coast species. Her favorite part of her job is getting to know all the animals’ personalities and, of course, working with an incredibly dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Branden Clarin
Research & Communications Manager
Branden grew up in Pismo Beach going to summer camp at the Aquarium, beginning a lifelong fascination with marine life. He pursued this interest by attending CSU Monterey Bay where he developed a passion for research and graduated with a B.S. in Marine Science. Now Branden is part of the Animal Husbandry Department, leading studies and fieldwork of marine life within exhibits and intertidal environments. His favorite animal is the China Rockfish, which hides in the kelp forest and is displayed at the aquarium. He enjoys further research in animal husbandry at the aquarium and the fishing trip for collection.
Lexi Mitchell
Operations & Retail Manager
Lexi’s passion for the ocean began at a young age. Having always been drawn to the water, she developed a deep love for marine life that inspired her to pursue a career working with ocean animals and sharing that passion with others. She has been part of the Central Coast Aquarium team for four years, starting as an aquarist and education volunteer and growing into her current role supporting operations and creating designs that showcase the aquarium. Lexi is currently completing her B.S. in Marine Science with a focus on Sustainable Fisheries. Her favorite ocean animal is the lingcod, though that tends to change often, and her favorite part of the job is going on collection trips with volunteers!
Bea Walton
Educator
Beatrice has always felt deeply connected to and passionate about the ocean. She first became involved with the Central Coast Aquarium as a volunteer and quickly fell in love with both the animals and the community that makes the aquarium so special. Through her work as a summer camp counselor and marine science educator, she discovered a passion for hands-on ocean education and inspiring curiosity in students of all ages. With a B.S. in Marine Science and a minor in Statistics from California Polytechnic State University, Beatrice combines her love of marine ecosystems, conservation, and science communication to create engaging experiences that connect people to the ocean. Her favorite part of her job is helping students build confidence as young scientists while sharing exciting discoveries about marine life and exploration, and her favorite animal is a whale shark.
Kathryn Wilkins
Educator & Camp Counselor
Kathryn’s love for marine life largely came from growing up on the Central Coast – though she likes to say it began after being bitten by a sea turtle. That childhood fascination inspired her to volunteer with the Aquarium throughout high school and later pursue a B.S. in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara. Her passion for ecology has taken her on countless adventures, studying sea turtles in Costa Rica and working with freshwater species in the Great Lakes region. She has now returned to the Aquarium as part of the Education Team, proudly following in her family’s footsteps as a third-generation educator. Her favorite ocean animal is (and always will be) the California two-spot octopus!
Danielle DeBrine
Educator & Camp Counselor
Danielle’s interest in marine science began as a child, where she was inspired by impactful field trips and mentors. Her strong passion for swimming and environmental conservation led her to earn her B.S. in Marine Science from Cal Poly, and work in conservation for CA State Parks and the Office of Naval Research. As an Educator at the aquarium, he most enjoys inspiring the next generation of students through marine science education, the same way she was. Her favorite ocean animals are nudibranchs because of their beautiful colors and unique shapes!
Alyssa Myers
Exhibit Hall Supervisor
Partners
