We are proud of the accomplishments made and awards received by our Advisory Team. Paramount to our 'super-team' selection process, was their proven dedication to wildlife education. Each member brings to the table not only a valuable talent, but an enthusiastic willingness to mentor others and convey a passion for the natural world through entertaining projects. These projects will be used in educational programs for local communities, youth groups, and nonprofit organizations. The Advisory Team profiles reveal a cadre of sharp, creative, and scientific minds. We invite you to join us in our challenge to better understand and protect the natural world.

Stan Waterman. Pioneer underwater film producer and photographer Stan Waterman, winner of five Emmy's, has been at the forefront of scuba diving since its inception. In 1968 he collaborated with Peter Gimbel on the classic shark film, Blue Water, White Death. He was associate producer and underwater cameraman. Stan directed underwater photography in the production of The Deep, based on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel. He and his oldest son, Gordy, won the first father and son Emmy for their work together in the "National Geographic Explorer" production, "Dancing With Stingrays". Stingray City, the topic of the film was coincidentally discovered by two of our other advisors Jay Ireland and Pat Kenney. Stan's commercial success is surpassed only by his passion for diving and his commitment to education and mentoring new filmmakers.

Sylvia Earle. Sylvia Earle Ph.D. is an oceanographer. She was chief scientist for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990-1992. She is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Earle was named Time magazine's first "hero for the planet" in 1998. She is a Knight in the Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark. She won the TED Prize in 2009. She was instrumental in adding a new feature of displaying oceans in version 5.0 of Google Earth. Sylvia is an Inductee in the Women Divers’ Hall of Fame Earle received a B.S. degree from Florida State University (1955), M.S. (1956) and PhD. from Duke University (1966). Radcliffe Institute Scholar (1967-1969) and Research Fellow or Associate at Harvard University (1967-1981). She led the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970. In 1979, she made an open-ocean JIM suit dive, setting a women's depth record of 1250 feet (381m); she also holds the women's record for a solo dive in a deep submersible(3280 feet, 1000m). In 1990 Sylvia accepted an appointment as the Chief Scientist for NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). In 1992 she founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research to further advance marine engineering. Today, Earle serves as Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and the company known as DOER Marine is run by her daughter. The company continues to design, build and operate innovative equipment for the deep ocean and other challenging environments. She is the author of more than 125 publications concerning marine science and technology including the books Exploring the Deep Frontier, Sea Change (1995), Wild Ocean: America's Parks Under the Sea (1999) and The Atlas of the Ocean (2001), she has participated in numerous television productions and given scientific, technical, and general interest lectures in more than 60 countries. Children's books that she has written include Coral Reefs, Hello Fish, Sea Critters, and Dive!

Wyland. Wyland is an artist best known for painting large, outdoor murals of whales and other ocean life. Since 2003, the Wyland Foundation has embarked on a five-year touring schedule to promote art, science, and conservation. The program has reached children along the East Coast, West Coast, and the Mississippi River regions. To date, the Wyland Foundation has conducted tour events in more than 35 states, Mexico, and Canada, reaching more than 50 million people. In 2007, the artist, along with science educators and volunteers, conducted a national tour for clean water, themed, "From Pike's Peak to the Chesapeake Bay — Every Drop Counts," to raise awareness through art and science about protecting watersheds nationwide.

Jody Martin. Jody Martin has held the title of Curator of Invertebrates at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County since April 1993. He simultaneously holds positions as Adjunct Professor at both USC and UCLA. Jody's talent for processing highly specialized and technically scientific information and presenting it in an accurate but highly engaging and educational format is refreshing. His easy-going manner, coupled with his accomplished academic background, make him a critical addition to the IF creative process.

Bob Talbot. Bob Talbot's stunning photographs of marine life and his deep commitment to its conservation have earned him international renown. Film Credits include "Free Willy", "Orcas in Crisis" and "Ocean Men, Extreme Water"His fascination with creatures of the sea began when he took up snorkeling on the coast of southern California at the age of eight; by thirteen he was a certified diver. While studying photography during his teens, Talbot's many expeditions included trips to the Pacific Northwest to photograph orcas and to Hawaii to photograph humpback whales. He realized that through his photographs he could educate people about the urgent need to conserve animal life, and since 1979 his work has been published in magazines such as Audubon, Go, Omni and Natural History, as well as in numerous books and multimedia productions.

Chris Palmer. Chris Palmer was the former President and CEO of National Wildlife Productions, the production division of the National Wildlife Federation. While there, he oversaw the organization’s television, film and multimedia programming. Palmer stepped down from that position on July 30, 2004 in order to found and direct the new Center for Environmental Filmmaking at the School of Communication at American University in Washington D.C. Chris also holds the position of VP of Special Programs for MacGillivray Freeman Films. As a teacher, mentor and filmmaker Palmer brings a passion for natural history filmmaking and a commitment to promote a n ew age of responsible factual productions.

Miriam Stein. Photo editor for National Geographic Explorer!, Miriam Stein is responsible for imagery used in the Society's classroom magazine and website. She has an extensive background photo researching natural history for high profile NGOs, including Conservation International, Defenders of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy. Miriam was the initial photo researcher for the Smithsonian's new Ocean Planet exhibit, to which she tendered her educational background in marine conservation. Miriam has contributed her time to the Whale Conservation Institute, Global Environment Facility, National Marine Sanctuary Program and North American Nature Photography Association, for which she chairs the International Committee. She is a diver, a recognized photographer and concurrently serves as an advisor to the International League of Conservation Photographers. Miriam brings to the Imaging Foundation a keen eye for the specific parameters requisite for photography to be used in conservation and education endeavors.

Manny Steigman. Manny has been a staunch supporter of The Imaging Foundation since its launch three years ago. Providing critical business advice, creative ideas and emotional support Manny has been a key team member. As a key advisor at B & H photo, Manny has his finger on the pulse of new photography and video technology. Manny brings his insights to the team, helping us choose new directives in an informed manner.

Phil Coles. Phil has spent nearly ten years as a wildlife film producer. His many productions for National Geographic include 'Porpoises, Life and Death in the Fast Lane', 'Global Wolf', 'Hollywood Fox', 'Gorillas, from the Heart of Darkness' and 'Camel's Empire'. He is committed to raising awareness of all aspects of the natural world through media. Phil's passion extends to the study and protection of marine mammals and is a founding member of Organization Cetacean, (ORCA). Phil is also an accomplished artist. His illustrations are showcased in the "Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Atlantic and Pacific" published by Wildguides, Sussex. Phil's vast experience and talent for teaching make him a welcome addition to our team.

Pat Kenney. As co-founder of Stingray City in Grand Cayman, BWI, Pat Kenney is responsible for the development of the most successful underwater attraction in the world. Prior to the launch of Stingray City, these animals were feared and unprotected. The millions of people who have interacted with Pat's rays have helped change public opinion and mold public policy. With over twenty years spent in the diving industry, Pat brings his knowledge and experience in SCUBA diving technology to the Imaging Foundation.

Yehuda Goldman. Some of Yehuda’s professional highlights are his years served with The Cousteau Society as diver, logistics coordinator and field producer for “The Cousteau Moments”. As the Founder and Executive Director of Hydrosphere, he created internationally acclaimed educational programs such as the world’s only Shark Cage Snorkel Expedition for non-divers, the Night Shark Tagging Cruise and the “Kelp Forest Study” program. Yehuda Goldman has been an ocean naturalist, diver, educator and filmmaker for over 20 years. Goldman has over 200 production credits as a documentary filmmaker, producer, director, underwater- cinematographer, researcher, writer, photographer as well as numerous on-screen appearances. Yehuda Goldman has safely led hundreds of film, research and educational expeditions for organizations including: The Cousteau Society, Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, Natural History Museum, Southern California Marine Institute, UCLA, USC, Johns Hopkins University, American Oceans Campaign, California Coastal Commission, Discovery Channel, Associated Press and others.

Jay Ireland. Jay Ireland's innate understanding of animal behavior is a key ingredient for our success recipe. As a filmmaker and photographer Jay possesses both the experience and the tenacity to capture underwater and terrestrial activity in new innovative ways. Jay is also a born teacher. He thrives upon sharing his childlike enthusiasm with any interested participant. Jay's generous approach to teaching photography has inspired many and affords the Imaging Foundation a unique opportunity to teach expedition volunteers as they contribute to our mission. Jay's images have already stood witness for many other nonprofit agencies showing the good, the bad and the ugly of our natural world.

Marie Levine. Marie Levine is the Founder and Executive Director of the Shark Research institute, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Under herr guidance the organization developed research / conservation projects in Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, The Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, the UK and the USA. In addition to papers for scientific journals and chapters in books, she has authored two childrens’ books on sharks: Sharks: Q&A (New Holland), and Great White Sharks (Weigl, reprinted by Raintree Steck-Vaughn). Marie is a member of the Women Divers' Hall of Fame.

Fuchsia McInerney. Fuchsia McInerney is the New Media Advisor for the Imaging Foundation, as well as CEO of Pearse Street Consulting, Inc., a new media consultancy specializing in social network design, development and marketing.