WHO WE ARE
Ensuring the long-term health of marine mammals and coastal ecosystems.
OUR TEAM
Andy Szabo, PhD
Executive Director
Will Gough, PhD
Research Associate
Graduate Fellow
Martin Van Aswegen
Graduate Fellow
Gussie Hollars
Graduate Fellow
Alyssa Russell
Communications
OUR BOARD
Jim Nahmens
Board President
Lauren Eckert, PhD
Vice President
Don Holmes
Board Treasurer
Jim Brennan
Board Secretary
Fred Sharpe, PhD
Board Member
Madison Kosma, MSc
Board Member
Grant Riewe
Board Member
Buffy Redsecker, MFA
Board Member
Legacy Board Member
Pat Sharpe
Legacy Board Member
Legacy Board Member
OUR PARTNERS
OUR HISTORY
AWF was founded in 1996 by a team of passionate individuals who wanted to shed light on the amazing behaviors of the endangered humpback whales in Southeast Alaska.
The diverse team of biologists, educators, vessel captains and illustrators were inspired by Fred Sharpe’s early work on the social behavior of the region's humpbacks. Together, they fueled an appreciation for the animals and elicited the generous support of individuals, conservation organizations and Alaskan communities.
Decades later, AWF continues to study marine mammals and coastal ecosystems, but with more resources, established scientists and collaborators, and ambitious graduate students and undergraduate interns. As well, the organization has developed a permanent research base in a wild and pristine coastal ecosystem on Baranof Island. Today, AWF is able to fully realize its mission through ambitious scientific research, long-term ecological monitoring, student mentoring, and outreach.