Meet the AWARE Team

As Executive Director of the PADI AWARE Foundation and Head of Sustainability at PADI Worldwide, Katie leads efforts to transform the world’s largest diving community into the world’s most powerful force for ocean conservation. She believes people protect what they love—and that meaningful conservation happens when people are invited to participate. Today, she is helping turn that belief into a global movement by advancing PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action through the PADI AWARE Foundation.

Over more than 13 years with PADI, Katie has led the development of many of the organization’s most influential global initiatives. Her work includes creating the PADI Eco Center designation, advancing PADI’s adaptive diving initiatives, and championing PADI Women’s Dive Day as a global tradition for more than a decade, while developing sustainability and conservation programs that connect millions of divers with meaningful opportunities to protect the ocean.

What motivates Katie most is creating pathways for people to become part of something bigger than themselves. She believes lasting conservation happens when people are empowered to take action—transforming everyday divers into lifelong ocean stewards and the global diving community into the world’s most powerful force for ocean conservation. 

Ian leads the delivery of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action—advancing marine protection through conservation policy, community action, and science-based programs around the world.

For more than 25 years, Ian has worked across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to protect the ocean. A marine biologist, environmental scientist, and commercial diver, he has led global shark and ray conservation efforts, advised governments on international marine policy, and founded the Pacific Shark Heritage Programme, an initiative that brought traditional cultural knowledge into shark and ray conservation and helped shape fisheries legislation across eight Pacific nations.

Ian believes lasting conservation depends on combining science, policy, and local leadership. His work is focused on empowering communities, strengthening protections for marine ecosystems, and creating lasting conservation impact from the local level to the global stage.

Kian helps build the organizational foundation that enables the Foundation’s global conservation work to thrive. She oversees finance, operations, governance, and organizational systems that support PADI AWARE’s programs, partnerships, and long-term growth.

With more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, Kian has dedicated her career to strengthening organizations that improve lives and communities. After beginning her career working directly with at-risk youth, she went on to lead community-based programs before bringing her expertise in operations, fundraising, and organizational management to PADI AWARE.

Kian believes strong organizations make ambitious missions possible. She is passionate about building the systems, processes, and culture that empower teams to do their best work and help advance PADI AWARE’s mission to transform the world’s largest diving community into the world’s most powerful force for ocean conservation.

Mike leads Campaigns and Development for the PADI AWARE Foundation, building the partnerships, philanthropy, and community support needed to accelerate ocean conservation around the world.

With more than two decades of nonprofit leadership spanning Greenpeace, Save the Children, UNHCR, and Boys & Girls Clubs, Mike has spent his career connecting people with opportunities to make a meaningful difference. His experience spans fundraising, strategic partnerships, campaigns, and organizational growth across local and global organizations. It was during his time working with Greenpeace that Mike became a certified PADI diver, and since those first breaths underwater, he has actively shared his love of the ocean and the challenges it faces with others. In 2016, Mike completed his dive instructor training and is a PADI Staff Instructor.

Mike believes philanthropy isn’t just about raising funds. It’s about building a community-centered movement to stand up for what’s right and ensuring the oceans are thriving so future generations can experience their beauty and wonder as he has. At PADI AWARE, he is focused on building a culture of philanthropy that empowers the global diving community and its partners to transform the world’s largest diving community into the world’s most powerful force for ocean conservation.

Ian Amos brings together his passion for the ocean and years of relationship-building experience as AWARE Regional Manager for Asia Pacific, working with PADI Members, dive centers, and partners to inspire community-led ocean conservation throughout the region.

A PADI Freediver & Master Scuba Diver, adventurer, and lifelong ocean lover, Ian is happiest near the ocean, on it, or beneath its surface—whether diving, snorkeling, surfing, or paddling an outrigger canoe. He believes the more people experience the ocean, the more inspired they become to protect it.

Since joining the PADI AWARE Foundation in 2020, Ian has worked across Asia Pacific to strengthen partnerships, support local conservation initiatives, and help turn a shared passion for the ocean into meaningful conservation action. 

Brandon Zwirner serves as AWARE Regional Manager for the Americas, supporting dive centers, divers, and local communities in advancing PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action across the region.

From a young age, Brandon was drawn to the water, spending his childhood swimming and playing water polo. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, he moved to Thailand to teach English, where he discovered a passion for scuba diving that would shape his career.

A PADI Instructor, Brandon joined PADI in 2015 and has served in a variety of roles across the organization before joining the PADI AWARE Foundation in 2023. He is passionate about empowering divers and communities to become active stewards of the ocean and helping turn local conservation action into lasting global impact.

Bodie leads fundraising and communications support for the PADI AWARE Foundation, building the donor relationships and campaigns that fuel ocean conservation around the world. Her work connects divers, donors, and ocean advocates to PADI's Blueprint for Ocean Action, turning awareness into real impact for the ocean.

Bodie's path to conservation began in the water. A PADI Open Water Diver, swimmer, and surfer; she has spent her life near, on, or in the ocean. Professionally, she spent years in marketing, events, and partnerships roles across the sport and travel industries before joining the PADI AWARE Foundation in 2023, where she now applies that experience to fundraising built on trust, transparency, and genuine connection.

Bodie believes the ocean's future depends on people who feel why it matters. For her, storytelling and generosity go hand in hand, and her greatest motivation is helping people discover that they can be part of protecting the ocean they love.

Juanita helps connect PADI AWARE’s global conservation mission with the people and communities bringing it to life every day. She supports the Foundation’s operations while working with divers, dive centers, and regional partners throughout Latin America to strengthen community engagement, support citizen science, and improve conservation data that helps protect the ocean.

Juanita’s journey into ocean conservation began while working at PADI as a Senior Customer Service Representative for the Americas. There, she discovered not only a passion for scuba diving, but also a deep appreciation for the power of the global diving community to drive meaningful conservation action. Since joining the PADI AWARE Foundation in 2020, she has supported regional conservation programs, operational coordination, and community partnerships that advance PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action.

Juanita believes conservation succeeds when people are empowered to be part of the solution. She is passionate about helping divers transform their love for the ocean into meaningful action that protects marine ecosystems for future generations.