Our Team

Estuary Program Staff

Ann Kitajima

Executive Director

Ann Kitajima

Executive Director

Ann serves as the organization’s Executive Director, responsible for program and financial oversight, strategic planning, and administrative functions. She formerly served as the Assistant Director and as the Monitoring Program Manager for the organization.

Sara Soroka

Associate Director

Sara Soroka

Associate Director

Sara serves as Associate Director of the Estuary Program. Before pursuing her graduate degree, she spent two years working at Yosemite National Park, which helped shape her path toward environmental work. She holds a Master's degree from UC Santa Barbara's Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, where she studied water resource management and environmental policy. When she's not at work, you can find Sara outside on long walks, taking photos, doing yoga, in the pottery studio, and spending time with friends and family.

Chrystina Kelly Newton

Comptroller

Chrystina Kelly Newton

Comptroller

Chrystina manages the financial and administrative operations of the Estuary Program. She works in tandem with the Estuary Program’s directors and the Bay Foundation Board to meet the administrative conditions and compliance requirements for awarded grants. She also ensures EPA grant match compliance and coordinates our annual external Single Audit (OMB Circular A-133).

Alexis Elias

Education & Outreach Projects Manager

Alexis Elias

Education & Outreach Projects Manager

Alexis Elias is the Education and Outreach Projects Manager at the Estuary Program. Growing up on California’s Central Coast, she developed a deep love for the ocean and natural world, inspiring her to earn a B.A. in Biology from California State University, Northridge, and an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Bangor University in Wales. With seven years of nonprofit experience, Alexis is passionate about making science accessible, connecting people with nature, and inspiring lifelong environmental stewardship. Outside of work, you can find Alexis exploring the coast and adventuring with her husband and dog, Roxie.

Carolyn Geraghty

Restoration Program Director

Carolyn Geraghty

Restoration Program Director

Develops and oversees watershed and estuarine restoration projects and conservation efforts. Prior to joining the Estuary Program, Carolyn was an Environmental Scientist with the San Francisco Estuary Institute supporting research of river and estuarine environments. Before that, she worked as the Restoration Director for the Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust and oversaw implementation of stream restoration projects. She has worked on a variety of aquatic ecology and water quality monitoring studies with The Nature Conservancy, National Park Service, and USGS. Carolyn received a Masters in Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley focusing on watershed science. Her research evaluated stream restoration projects to inform restoration practices and planning in Oregon’s Klamath Basin. She also holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Aquinas College, MI.

Jodi Marfia

Office Administrator

Jodi Marfia

Office Administrator

Jodi is fairly new to the SLO life but is loving every minute of it. Lured down by her two Cal Poly kids with promises of sun and family dinners, she cherishes time spent with family. Jodi is an administrative assistant to the office and is excited to make positive contributions to the program! When not working she can be found at one of the local dog beaches with her two labs, Penny and Maisy!

Makenzie O'Connor

Monitoring Program Manager

Makenzie O'Connor

Monitoring Program Manager

Makenzie coordinates ongoing monitoring in the watershed through collaboration with local partners, agencies, and volunteers. Makenzie received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Ecology with a minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership in 2015. Since then, she has worked in a variety of ecosystems, from salmon-bearing waters on the Klamath River, to the snow-covered slopes of the Truckee-Tahoe area. Outside of work, you can usually find Makenzie on her mountain bike or going on long hikes with her dog, Josie.

Nick Soares

Monitoring Coordinator II

Nick Soares

Monitoring Coordinator II

Nick is responsible for coordinating sampling events conducted within the estuary and generating a variety of water quality reports. He graduated from Cal Poly with a B.S. in Marine Sciences and minored in Statistics and Environmental Studies. While at Cal Poly, he worked as a research assistant studying phytoplankton and nearshore rockfish populations. Nick has lived in SLO County for most of his life and spends much of his free time surfing the local beach breaks.

Fiona Litton

Monitoring Coordinator

Fiona Litton

Monitoring Coordinator

Fiona coordinates a variety of monitoring events for the Estuary Program, as well as supports data analysis to share findings with partners and the public. She moved to SLO county from Nevada City, where she served an AmeriCorps term with the South Yuba River Citizens League doing water quality monitoring, volunteer coordination, and meadow restoration in the Yuba River watershed. Prior to this, she did a brief stint in salt marsh restoration in the San Franisco Bay Area. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2024 with a BS in Ecology and Evolution and a minor in Education. In her free time, she likes to go on long runs, spend as much time outside as possible, and play the banjo.

Our Team

Estuary Program Staff

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