Our Ocean Advocates
Shannon Stainken, M.A., Director
Shannon grew up moving from place to place every two or three years – the one thing that remained constant was the deep connection she felt to the ocean, and she decided early on to pursue a career that would allow her to research, conserve, and protect it. She went on to obtain a degree in marine biology from the University of Miami, and a Master of Professional Science in marine conservation at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Shannon found her true calling in marine science education and outreach while working in the education department at Miami Seaquarium. She believes that experiential education is the key to a better future for our planet. Shannon began working for Sanibel Sea School as a Marine Science Educator in the fall of 2017. She has been thrilled to share so many valuable experiences with people over the years in and around the ocean. She is excited to lead and grow Sanibel Sea School for future generations to come.
Brianna Machuga, Client Services Coordinator
Brianna grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and spent her childhood traveling around the United States enjoying the beauty and wonder of America's National Parks. As she grew up she recognized her passion for the outside world and decided that she wanted to become an environmental educator. To make this possible, Brianna attended Kent State University in Ohio where she studied Environmental and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Management. Over the years, she has worked as an interpreter at the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, a park ranger in Wyoming, a conservation educator in Disney's Animal Kingdom, and even a camp counselor here at Sanibel Sea School. During her time as a counselor she fell in love with the wonders of Sanibel Island. Brianna is excited to be a part of the Sanibel Sea School family and looks forward to sharing her love of the ocean and conservation with everyone who visits.
Joey Garofano, Marine Science Educator
Joey grew up in Mahtomedi, Minnesota where he started his love for the environment and adventure through the Boy Scouts of America. His love for the environment continued, as time went on, into his college years at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point where he eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Resource Management and Youth Programming and Camp Management. He was able to work at camps facilitating team building and teaching Environmental Education in all areas of the United States. In Wisconsin, he worked at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station as an educator. In Maine and New Hampshire as well as Connecticut, he taught Environmental Education at Nature's Classroom. In California, while travelling on a vegetable oil converted 1978 Greyhound bus, he volunteered, planting fruit tree orchards at schools and educating students about the importance of plants and an edible landscape. Finally, he moved to Sanibel a few years ago to continue his love for the island and the environment. The past couple of years he held the position of Segway Tour Guide at Segway Tours of Sanibel. Joey is ecstatic to be working at Sanibel Sea School and learning more about the island he loves.
Kimberly Bouwkamp, Marine Science Educator
Kimberly was born and raised in Western Michigan and spent many summer days exploring the shores of Lake Michigan. Though having varied interests growing up, she discovered her passion for the ocean and environmental education when she moved to Florida and volunteered at an environmental center along the Atlantic. Later, she left for Tennessee to intern as an interpretive park ranger at The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Returning to Michigan, she worked as a zoo guide and camp educator at her local zoo while finishing her Bachelors of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. Kimberly is excited to be back in Florida sharing the excitement of ocean discovery, through environmental education, as part of the Sanibel Sea School Team!
Annie Clinton, Marine Science Educator
Annie hails from Orlando, Florida where she was never too far from a source of water whether it be a lake or ocean. She grew up snorkeling and fishing; finding creatures and learning more about them. Every little thing that swam, jumped, or crawled fascinated her. She went on to receive a Bachelors of Science in her dream field of marine biology from Rollins College and minored in German. Throughout her college career she had many valuable learning experiences both local and abroad. Annie traveled to Costa Rica and learned about the positive influences of ecotourism. In the summer of 2022, she had the wonderful opportunity to work as a camp counselor here at the Sanibel Sea School where her love for the ocean deepened. She looks forward to building more connections within the Sanibel community and cannot wait to help create a positive relationship between students and marine life.
Austin Wise, Marine Science Educator
Austin was born and raised in the city of the blues, Memphis, TN. At a young age, his love for animals became apparent, as 90% of his toy collection consisted of creatures from every biome. Austin started college at the University of Missouri studying journalism but after his freshman year he decided to follow his childhood passions and transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science. While studying at FGCU, Austin gained experience in research involving microplastic pollution and Karenia brevis (red tide) concentrations in Southwest Florida waters alongside his mentor and professor, Dr. Puspa Adhikari. Sanibel is a special place to Austin as he grew up vacationing on the island every summer with his family. After graduating, he wanted to stay in the area and was thrilled to receive a job as a summer camp counselor at Sanibel Sea School in the summer of 2022. Austin was offered to stay on full time as a Marine Science Educator after the completion of his summer position. He could not be more excited to continue to educate future generations about our blue planet.
Interested in joining our team? Click below to see if we have any current opportunities.
Our Founders
J. Bruce Neill, Ph.D. (Doc Bruce), Co-Founder and Emeritus Executive Director
Growing up in Miami, Bruce explored the diverse ecosystems of southern Florida and the Bahamas, and developed an appreciation for the ocean early on. This fascination eventually led him to study zoology at the University of Georgia, earn a master's degree in coral reef biology and sea urchin behavior on Guam, and later complete a Ph.D. in conservation biology at Montana State University. Doc Bruce has held academic positions at colleges and field schools, as well as at elementary schools and the American Museum of Natural History. His true passion is teaching, and it is his hope that by sharing the wonders of the sea, he will be able to provide his students with a lifetime of discovery and ocean stewardship.
Evelyn Monroe Neill, Co-Founder
A biology groupie and the daughter of a science teacher, Evelyn spent years pursuing an interest in marine science before falling into a career in advertising. She has been a creative director for Nike, Microsoft, Coke, Visa and Glass Is Life among other brands and has overseen communications throughout the world – in Pakistan, India, Europe, and Latin America. Advertising itself is a lesson in the staggering power of communication. That power comes from the blending narratives of how we live our lives and what we incorporate into our stories. It is Evelyn's deep desire to make the ocean and ocean conservation a vital part of everyone's life story.
Together, Evelyn and her partner in life, Doc Bruce, have devoted themselves to creating a school where people can come to learn about the ocean. The rest of the story is what they will build with, they hope, your involvement.