Vanessa has been studying sea turtles and the arribada phenomenon at Ostional for over ten years. She is a National Geographic Explorer who strongly advocates for the protection of sea turtles at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Through her involvement with the local community, Vanessa has helped form alliances between the tourism sector and the Refuge, provided scientific data to support wildlife conservation policies, and established a non-profit dedicated to sea turtle and wildlife conservation in the area. Integrating scientific research into the lives of local communities and visiting travelers is important to her, as she believes it is fundamental to inspiring the behavioral change needed to protect our planet.

Francheska is committed to wildlife and environmental conservation. She leverages marketing strategy and tactics to cultivate greater community engagement and outreach for audiences and constituents in the NGO, Health, Education, and FinTech market sectors. She creates engaging storytelling experiences for the WCA's core audiences and the greater Nosara community. Francheska combines high level brand experience, compelling messaging, and top-of-mind-awareness amplification to foster WCA brand loyalty and engagement. Her work with the WCA centers around showcasing the organization's programs and initiatives to empower the community as WCA Changemakers, Trailblazers, and Sustainable Stewards.

For the past 12 years, Laura has dedicated herself to developing her skills in creativity, copywriting, strategy, and performance marketing, working with local and regional businesses. Her experience includes supporting NGOs within Nosara's community, seeking to create meaningful connections with potential supporters. As our Communications Manager, she brings all of her experience and passion to create engaging educational and promotional content that furthers our mission of wildlife conservation. 

Andy is a dedicated and versatile professional with a passion for conservation and community engagement. Born in Costa Rica and raised in diverse corners of the world, Andy's upbringing has instilled in him a deep appreciation for different cultures and a natural ability to connect with people. With a wealth of experience in management, administration, and bookkeeping, Andy has successfully led various organizations. His proficiency in administration and financial acumen, coupled with fluency in both English and Spanish, positions him as a valuable asset for the management of the WCA. As our Administrator, he brings his rich background, skills, and unbridled passion to contribute to the protection of wildlife and the nurturing of harmonious communities in and around the Nosara area.