Press Release
Sept. 12, 2022 Contact
For Immediate Release Leslie Townsell
Chief Operating Officer
info@bims.org
Black in Marine Science announced the recent appointments of Dr. Camille Gaynus, Mark Losavio, Angela Tyler, Esq., Lydia Nelson, Taishya Adams, Linda Wilson, Dr. Jamé McCary, Dr. Dayne Buddo, and Theodore “Teddy” Schiele to the Board of Directors. They were elected to their first three-year terms on August 19, 2022.
Along with the BIMS board appointments, the 501(c)3 tax exempt status was also approved in August. BIMS has seen enormous growth since our start and the expanded capabilities of accepting tax deductible donations create larger opportunities for our expansion with projects which support our mission of amplifying Black voices, spreading environmental awareness, and inspiring the next generation of scientific thought leaders. “BIMS has grown so exponentially that we have moved from a working board to having part-time staff and a managing board and I’m so excited! With the new leadership on the board I know that Black In Marine Science will become the sustainable powerhouse that will last well beyond the years of the current team and into the future. I hope everyone is ready for this new wave,” says CEO, Dr. Tiara Moore, on the future of BIMS.
Board Chair, Dr. Camille Gaynus states, "I am so excited to be a part of the successes of Black in Marine Science! We have only begun and the potential of such excellence is exponential! Joy, the only word I have for our future!
"Board treasurer, Angela Tyler, adds "I am excited to join such a dynamic group dedicated to education, action, and excellence. There is no lip service at BIMS; the authenticity is palpable. I'm motivated to do all I can with this opportunity of a lifetime." Each board member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help shape the future of Black in Marine Science and inspire the next generation.
Dr. Camille Gaynus upon graduating from Hampton University, completed a PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UCLA and spent two years as a postdoc at the University of Penn in the Biology Department. Currently, she is a teaching assistant professor of Biology at Penn State Brandywine. As Board Chair, she strives to guide the organization in ways that fulfill its mission.
Mark Losavio is currently the Media and Outreach Coordinator of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Hailing from Kentucky, Mark holds a bachelor's degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in marine biology from Northeastern University. Mark has been involved in diverse and sometimes unconventional communication experiences, which has evolved into a passion for communicating scientific topics to a broader audience.
Angela E, Tyler, Esq. is an engineer, analyst, and attorney with a passion for Black financial independence, college sports, and standardized test preparation. Her experience includes leadership roles in operations, disaster recovery, and strategic finance. Angela earned her BS degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. She also holds an MBA from Indiana University and a JD from Baylor University.
Lydia Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University Maritime (Cal Maritime) and a minor in Marine Science. In addition to serving as the Board Secretary of Black in Marine Science (BIMS), she is the Associate Director, Ports and Communities at Ocean Conservancy. Lydia is excited to be part of the BIMS board where she is committed to the mission of celebrating Black marine scientists and inspiring the next generation of thought leaders.
Taishya Adams, the founder and principal of the Mukuyu Collective, also serves as the Co-Chair of the NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council, and on the board of Black in Marine Science. Taishya is a servant leader focused on collective liberation and stewardship through community building, personal transformation, and systems change. Taishya holds a MA in International Education from George Washington University and a BA from Vassar College in Political Science and Film.
Linda Wilson is the Executive Director of Fund II Foundation. Communication and collaboration are her passions; they represent love in action. A human rights activist and consultant for decades, Linda has worked with diverse groups of all ages, in education, engineering, government, media, politics, big business, not-for-profits, and grassroots.
Jamé McCray, PhD, is an ecologist and choreographer who is dedicated to collectively imagining the world we want to live in and taking concrete actions to bring about that vision. Additionally, Dr. McCray is the Managing Director of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River at the National Wildlife Federation. A Brooklyn native, Jame earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a M.A. in Marine Policy from the University of Miami, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology.
Dr. Dayne Buddo serves as the Director of External Engagement for the Georgia Aquarium. Dayne currently sits on several boards and continues to support several delegations to major United Nations Conferences on climate change and ocean conservation. Dayne is a certified PADI Master Instructor, Advanced Rebreather Diver, an Emergency First Response® (First Aid/CPR/AED) Instructor, as well as a Hyperbaric (Recompression) Chamber Safety Director. He has conducted over 8,000 scientific dives mainly assessing marine habitats, lionfish research and control as well as habitat restoration.
Teddy Schiele is the Chief Consulting Officer at Schiele Consulting Group. He is a highly transformational business development consultant with proven success in scaling start-ups, small and medium sized businesses. Teddy earned his B.S. in Biblical Studies from Amridge University and his M.S. in Management and Leadership with a concentration in Marketing from Amridge University.
Black In Marine Science (BIMS) is a premier organization aimed to celebrate Black marine scientists, spread environmental awareness and inspire the next generation of scientific thought leaders. Vist BIMS on the web at www.bims.org
Sept. 12, 2022 Contact
For Immediate Release Leslie Townsell
Chief Operating Officer
info@bims.org
Black in Marine Science announced the recent appointments of Dr. Camille Gaynus, Mark Losavio, Angela Tyler, Esq., Lydia Nelson, Taishya Adams, Linda Wilson, Dr. Jamé McCary, Dr. Dayne Buddo, and Theodore “Teddy” Schiele to the Board of Directors. They were elected to their first three-year terms on August 19, 2022.
Along with the BIMS board appointments, the 501(c)3 tax exempt status was also approved in August. BIMS has seen enormous growth since our start and the expanded capabilities of accepting tax deductible donations create larger opportunities for our expansion with projects which support our mission of amplifying Black voices, spreading environmental awareness, and inspiring the next generation of scientific thought leaders. “BIMS has grown so exponentially that we have moved from a working board to having part-time staff and a managing board and I’m so excited! With the new leadership on the board I know that Black In Marine Science will become the sustainable powerhouse that will last well beyond the years of the current team and into the future. I hope everyone is ready for this new wave,” says CEO, Dr. Tiara Moore, on the future of BIMS.
Board Chair, Dr. Camille Gaynus states, "I am so excited to be a part of the successes of Black in Marine Science! We have only begun and the potential of such excellence is exponential! Joy, the only word I have for our future!
"Board treasurer, Angela Tyler, adds "I am excited to join such a dynamic group dedicated to education, action, and excellence. There is no lip service at BIMS; the authenticity is palpable. I'm motivated to do all I can with this opportunity of a lifetime." Each board member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help shape the future of Black in Marine Science and inspire the next generation.
Dr. Camille Gaynus upon graduating from Hampton University, completed a PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UCLA and spent two years as a postdoc at the University of Penn in the Biology Department. Currently, she is a teaching assistant professor of Biology at Penn State Brandywine. As Board Chair, she strives to guide the organization in ways that fulfill its mission.
Mark Losavio is currently the Media and Outreach Coordinator of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Hailing from Kentucky, Mark holds a bachelor's degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in marine biology from Northeastern University. Mark has been involved in diverse and sometimes unconventional communication experiences, which has evolved into a passion for communicating scientific topics to a broader audience.
Angela E, Tyler, Esq. is an engineer, analyst, and attorney with a passion for Black financial independence, college sports, and standardized test preparation. Her experience includes leadership roles in operations, disaster recovery, and strategic finance. Angela earned her BS degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. She also holds an MBA from Indiana University and a JD from Baylor University.
Lydia Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University Maritime (Cal Maritime) and a minor in Marine Science. In addition to serving as the Board Secretary of Black in Marine Science (BIMS), she is the Associate Director, Ports and Communities at Ocean Conservancy. Lydia is excited to be part of the BIMS board where she is committed to the mission of celebrating Black marine scientists and inspiring the next generation of thought leaders.
Taishya Adams, the founder and principal of the Mukuyu Collective, also serves as the Co-Chair of the NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council, and on the board of Black in Marine Science. Taishya is a servant leader focused on collective liberation and stewardship through community building, personal transformation, and systems change. Taishya holds a MA in International Education from George Washington University and a BA from Vassar College in Political Science and Film.
Linda Wilson is the Executive Director of Fund II Foundation. Communication and collaboration are her passions; they represent love in action. A human rights activist and consultant for decades, Linda has worked with diverse groups of all ages, in education, engineering, government, media, politics, big business, not-for-profits, and grassroots.
Jamé McCray, PhD, is an ecologist and choreographer who is dedicated to collectively imagining the world we want to live in and taking concrete actions to bring about that vision. Additionally, Dr. McCray is the Managing Director of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River at the National Wildlife Federation. A Brooklyn native, Jame earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a M.A. in Marine Policy from the University of Miami, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology.
Dr. Dayne Buddo serves as the Director of External Engagement for the Georgia Aquarium. Dayne currently sits on several boards and continues to support several delegations to major United Nations Conferences on climate change and ocean conservation. Dayne is a certified PADI Master Instructor, Advanced Rebreather Diver, an Emergency First Response® (First Aid/CPR/AED) Instructor, as well as a Hyperbaric (Recompression) Chamber Safety Director. He has conducted over 8,000 scientific dives mainly assessing marine habitats, lionfish research and control as well as habitat restoration.
Teddy Schiele is the Chief Consulting Officer at Schiele Consulting Group. He is a highly transformational business development consultant with proven success in scaling start-ups, small and medium sized businesses. Teddy earned his B.S. in Biblical Studies from Amridge University and his M.S. in Management and Leadership with a concentration in Marketing from Amridge University.
Black In Marine Science (BIMS) is a premier organization aimed to celebrate Black marine scientists, spread environmental awareness and inspire the next generation of scientific thought leaders. Vist BIMS on the web at www.bims.org