Meet Our 2016 Foxtrot 2 & Sierra 2 Leadership Team!

Oliver Bierman-Lytle, Program Director

After earning a Biology degree from Kenyon College, Oliver travelled the world; sailing from Singapore to Indonesia, studying coral reefs in Bali, and teaching ecology and running a sailing program in Abu Dhabi. Oliver is currently teaching high school Biology, Marine Biology, and Environmental Science and Sustainability at Brunswick School in CT. There, he is also developing a high school program providing students with the opportunity to work alongside researchers in the field as they study the complex life history of Great White and Tiger Sharks; an effort to develop global conservation policies to protect these keystone species.

Will Steward, Fleet Captain

Currently studying for a Master’s degree in Marine Biology, Will has a passion for anything to do with the ocean. Be it sailing, scuba diving or trying to find his favorite underwater creature (nudibranchs!), it’s safe to say Will is in his element working with Sail Caribbean! Having gained his Divemaster qualification in Fiji, he went on to work in Zanzibar before coming to the BVI where he gained his Instructor qualification with Sail Caribbean Divers.

Lauren Stewart, Captain of Ocean Sun

Growing up on Lake Huron in Canada, Lauren has enjoyed everything that has to do with water since she was a little girl. Sailing, paddle boarding, wind surfing, beaching, you name it — she was born for the sea! A lover of travel and adventures, she enjoys learning about different cultures. Outgoing, fun-loving and down to earth, Lauren is currently in her third year of university at the Richard Ivey School of Business in Ontario focusing her studies on Leadership, specifically character development. Having sailed in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Pacific, her passion for sailing has deepened and led to the achievement of her Yachtmaster last summer in Spain.

Lindley Barrow, Captain of Moselle

Lindley graduated from University of Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Marine Science. She enjoyed working as a science camp coordinator for the university’s Planetarium and Science Center for three years. In 2013, Lindley moved to Costa Rica for six months to pursue a career as a scuba diving instructor. Since then, she has found ways to incorporate her passion for scuba diving with her experience in education by teaching scuba and marine science with Sail Caribbean. When she is not teaching in North Carolina or the Caribbean, she enjoys traveling, rock climbing, cooking for friends, and spending as much time as possible with her niece and nephews.  Lindley’s future will hopefully be full of travels and informal science education opportunities worldwide!

Grace McKenna, Captain of Moselle

Grace was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, where she volunteered at the National Aquarium and hiked every trail in Patapsco State Park. She is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies at Northeastern University in Boston. She plans to study abroad next fall in Friday Harbor Labs in the San Juan Islands and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. The only thing Grace loves more than the ocean is encouraging others to love the ocean too. There’s no doubt she will be working in outdoor and environmental education for a long time.

Grace Hanson, Mate of Ocean Sun

Grace studied marine biology with a minor in thanatology at the University of Rhode Island. She has done research in the BVI focusing on coral reefs and fish behavior. Her passion for marine biology knows no bounds and she is happiest while on the water!

Emily Knudson, Mate of Moselle, Provisions Manager

Emily graduated from Augsburg College in 2015 with degrees in Environmental Studies, English Literature, and Spanish.  Since graduating college, she has worked as a wilderness canoe guide for urban youth, led a three month college canoe expedition down the Mississippi River, and moved to Quito, Ecuador to practice Spanish and plan her next adventures.

Liz Deveau, Mate of Spyglass

Liz grew up in a small town on the North shore of Massachusetts where she began sailing at 8 years old. She was on the sailing team at the University of New Hampshire where she earned degrees in Marine Biology and English Literature. Liz is joining us for a second summer, escaping the bitter cold, rough seas, and floating ice packs of the Bering Sea where she works during the rest of the year in fisheries management data collection through NOAA.