Programs and Events | Feiro Marine Life Center

Lucian is an environmental educator who adores all things weird, wild, and wonderful about the oceans. They graduated from Beloit College, WI, and have a particular passion for invertebrates (animals without spines), as well as aquatic microbiology.

They will be serving as a Washington Conservation Corps Education and Outreach assistant for the Feiro Marine Life Center for 2026 and 2027! They look forward to leading programs for the public, using art to teach science, and connecting people with the water around them.

Elise Ricci, Campaign Director

Elise directs the Seattle area arm of the Marine Discovery Center capital campaign.

Elise was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington. A proud double Husky, she holds degrees in English and Communication, as well as a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School. Elise has dedicated her career to helping mission-driven organizations thrive. Her experience spans nonprofit microfinance, international development, outdoor programs and education with expertise in fundraising, communications, and strategic planning. She lives in Seattle with her partner and three young children, and finds inspiration in the wild places of the Pacific Northwest, especially the Olympic Coast and North Cascades.

Anna Sanders, Project Coordinator

Anna splits her time supporting our fundraising campaign and participating in project management activities related to the MDC’s building and exhibit design.

Anna grew up in Port Angeles and spent time at Feiro as a homeschooler. She was an early childhood educator and enjoyed bringing her students to Feiro on field trips. Anna has most recently been working in the retail sector overseeing store set up and operations, logistics, and guest services. She served on Feiro’s Board of Directors for the last three years.

Tristan, Housekeeping

Tristan has been attending programs at Feiro since he was a young child. Tristan enjoys traveling and camping with his family in the summers.

Disa, Guest Services

Disa has worked at Feiro since 2011. As a guest services specialist, she is the first person to greet visitors, providing an overview of what you can do at Feiro, helping you understand more about the marine life we feature, and providing information regarding local attractions and amenities. When she’s not working you can find her playing disc golf.

David Rhead, Facilities Assistant/ Community Science Lead

David has lived in the Puget Sound area since 1993. Graduating from Olympic College with a welding degree and having a successful career as a welding shop foreman. After an injury, he returned to college and received a Fisheries and Aquaculture degree from Bellingham Technical College. In 2024, he completed an internship at the SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo. After which he stayed on and continued gaining aquarium skills such as building, maintaining, and troubleshooting exhibit systems, while training dozens of volunteers and interns. In his free time, you can find David fishing, hiking or in his garden.

Nola Grier, Development Assistant

Nola joined Feiro in 2015, with more than 30 years of experience as a non-profit staffer. She coordinates our member and donor communications, assists with fundraising events, and manages our records. Nola also volunteers her support for a number of community-based organizations. . When she’s not working, she loves to curl up with a good book, and is learning crochet, inspired by Feiro’s crochet critter classes.

Jordan Higgins, Interim Education Manager

Jordan received her Conservation Biology degree from Clemson University, Jordan spent many years traveling the world to teach people about the environment. She has worked on whale-watching boats and research vessels, served as counselor on San Juan Island and most recently worked at the Dungeness River Nature Center in Sequim. Outside of work, you’ll find Jordan hiking, running, swimming, reading, writing, petting your dog and generally searching for new places to explore.

Tamara Galvan, Facilities Director

Tamara’s first visit to the Pacific Northwest was in 2009, during which she immediately fell in love and decided that she had to call it home. In 2014, It became a reality as she moved to Sequim, WA. She moved here from Southern California where she worked at the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. After her move, she began volunteering at Feiro Marine Life Center and working as a naturalist for the Port Angeles Whale Watch Company. In 2016, she became the Facilities Director at Feiro Marine Life Center. She has a BS degree in Marine Biology and an MS degree in Informal Science Education. When not at work, she can be found enjoying the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula via kayaking, hiking or bike riding.

Melissa A. Williams, Executive Director

Melissa came to Feiro in May 2014 after holding positions of progressive responsibility over seven years at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, most recently as the Vice President of Learning. A lifelong informal science education professional, Williams has also held positions at the University of Arizona’s Flandrau Science Center in Tucson and the Adler Planetarium, Chicago. Her academic background includes an undergraduate degree in psychology from New College, Florida, focused on animal cognition and behavior, and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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