OUR COACHES
We currently have 28 I AM WATER Coaches who are trained to facilitate our Ocean Connection Programmes. These ocean enthusiasts come predominantly from the same communities as the children we work with and the key thing that unites all of our coaches is a deep passion for protecting the ocean.
We could never do what we do without this fantastic team.
Our Coach and Training Facilitator, Marlin van Sensie recently remarked that "I AM WATER has helped me overcome my fear of not being able to swim, and helped me bridge the gap between my community and the ocean, making conservation accessible to those who, like me, yearn to be part of something greater. Now, as I teach the next generation about their connection to the oceans, I see the same spark of wonder in their eyes that I felt. It’s a reminder that no matter where we come from, the ocean is a part of us all, and it’s our duty to protect it.”
Martine Viljoen
Monray Kenny
Odwa Tivi
Marlin van Sensie
Azikiwe Mngqibisu
Ethan September
Michaela Leo
Toni Zill
Zakariyyaa Abrahams
Tamara Mbizo
Amy Arendse
Taahirah Sait
Faaizah Southgate
Kay-Leigh Jonkers
Sanele Jacobs
Wesley Williams
Caitlin Williams
Ishmael Abrahams
Farrell Francis
Malecia Williams
Ndanduleni Malwela
Amanda Buthelezi
Thembalethu Mani
Brandon Plaaitjies
Azhar Booley
Busisiwe Tsholoba
OFFICE TEAM - CAPE TOWN
HANLI PRINSLOO
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hanli is an inspired, passionate free diver and ocean advocate. She grew up on a horse farm outside Johannesburg where she at an early age learnt about the beauty, fragility and importance of wilderness. After studies and a career in documentary filmmaking in Sweden, Hanli decided to focus on her freediving and now holds eleven South African Freediving Records, and has over ten years competitive freediving experience. She is now following her true passion: ocean conservation.
CLAIRE CARRETTI
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Claire is a dedicated conservationist driven by her passion for uplifting those in need. With nearly two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, she has evolved from volunteering and crisis work to becoming a seasoned professional. Her journey began with studies in social work and a BA in Health Sciences and Social Services, laying the foundation for her frontline work for four years. Transitioning into Resource Development, Claire has spent the last 15 years securing significant funding for organisations, primarily in welfare and conservation. As the Development Director for I AM WATER, Claire excels in organisational development and stakeholder management. Her strengths include being a charismatic and empathic leader, a skilled communicator, and a forward-thinking strategist. She excels in conflict resolution, team management, and decision-making, always prioritizing integrity and positive change. Claire is a firm believer in her team's potential and is committed to driving performance and achieving organisational goals.
KATHERINE WALLIS
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Katherine is passionate about the ocean, people and education. This passion led her to study Marine Biology where her commitment to protecting the ocean was sparked. Her main focuses are centred around using Environmental Education to connect people to the natural world. Katherine’s role as Education Manager allows her to unite her passions by ensuring I AM WATER’s Educational Programmes are aligned with the South African National Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAPS), all the while making sure that I AM WATER’s coaches are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver this content. Katherine's role as Communications Manager allows her to share the successes of I AM WATER in a captivating and engaging way.
Katherine is also an avid freediver who loves exploring the chilly kelp forests that surround Cape Town.
SHIREEN SADIEN
OPERATIONS & FINANCE MANAGER
Shireen Sadien, the Operations and Finance Manager, embarked on her professional journey armed with strong administrative skills which she enhanced in the property management and commercial property finance sectors. Shireen's expertise expanded to include company secretarial/statutory compliance, corporate governance, bookkeeping, budget/financial/cashflow analysis, project management, bond origination, and real estate. Her early career in these sectors laid a solid foundation, but it was in the private and non-profit sectors where she truly flourished.
Her impactful transition into the non-profit sector saw her contribute significantly to I Am Water. This experience not only heightened her commitment to environmental causes but also introduced her to the world of freediving and snorkelling. Shireen's passion for ocean conservation now seamlessly integrates with her role, showcasing her holistic approach to life and work. As a deliverer and an optimist, she continues to make long-lasting waves in both corporate and environmental spheres, embodying a unique blend of professional acumen and personal values. Her strong work ethic and her passion and commitment within the ocean conservation and non-profit sector have made her an invaluable agent of change.
AMALIA DE ABREU
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Amalia is a dynamic and detail-oriented Operations Coordinator with a passion for educational outreach and community engagement. With her background in marine biology and ecology, she brings a unique perspective to her role in marketing programs to schools. Her love for learning and strong organisational skills makes her an asset in managing logistics and coordinating the coaching community.
She excels at connecting with others and understands the importance of collaboration in achieving organizational goals. Amalia is a dedicated and versatile Operations Coordinator who thrives in managing complex logistics, marketing initiatives, and fostering a cohesive community. In her spare time she can be found in nature, whether that be on the mountains or in the sea.
CARMEN FORTUNE
BOOKKEEPER
A mom, wife and colleague, Carmen enjoys the balance of the different areas of life. Over the years Carmen has learnt to balance her career while also being present and being the best version of a loving mom to her three kids.
With over 25 years experience in the finance department and a passion for numbers, Carmen is an analytical thinker with attention to detail. Her integrity and values make her the perfect fit for our organisation.
She provides financial intelligence through bookkeeping and reporting making it easier for strategic decision making and presentations. Her work ethic streamlines our business and her goal is being part of a unique team and organisation that changes lives and create experiences through water conversation.
THE I AM WATER GLOBAL BOARD
Scattered around the globe, we are honoured to call these changemakers our I AM WATER Global Family
SILVIA BASTANTE
DE UNVERHAU
GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY EXPERT
Silvia Bastante de Unverhau is a global philanthropy expert and executive with over 20 years of experience working across the business, non-profit, international development, and government sectors. She is a regular writer and speaker on philanthropy and has been quoted by leading publications including the Financial Times and Forbes. Silvia is a Senior Advisor to Co-Impact, a global collaborative of some of the world’s leading philanthropists focused on systems change and gender equality to improve the lives of millions of people. She provides philanthropy advisory and consulting services to philanthropists, wealth management and philanthropic organizations through Braymont. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Finance University of Zurich, and acts as Advisory Board member for VALUEworks. Prior roles include Global Head of Philanthropy Advisory at UBS, Associate Partner at Monitor Group and various management roles at the Organization of American States, the International Secretariat of Amnesty International, and the Office of the President of Peru. Silvia holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Lima, Peru, she has visited and worked in over 70 countries and across many oceans.
JENIFER WILLIG
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR & FOUNDER OF THE MOTIVE
Jenifer specializes in business strategy, marketing and communications with a focus on creating, developing and helping grow companies and social enterprises around a range of social issues. Jenifer co-founded Motive, a social innovation company that works with organizations to model social impact into their business. Clients include: Morgan Stanley, Getty Images, Gap Inc., Old Navy, Friends of the Global Fight, and NYSE.
NICK BOTT
NEUROSCIENTIST & WILDERNESS THOUGHT LEADER
Nick is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who researches and designs for innovation in the assessment of cognition and emotion, healthy cognitive aging and high-value care delivery. At Stanford University, he serves as a research scientist at the Clinical Excellence Research Center (CERC). In addition to publishing his research in top-tier journals, his work has been featured in The New York Times, National Public Radio, and U.S. News and World Report. With an interest in the effect wilderness has on humans, Nick is assisting the I AM WATER team in measuring the deep impact ocean experiences has on youth from challenging backgrounds and limited nature exposure.
GREG LONG
BIG WAVE SURFER
With over 20 years of riding some of the worlds biggest waves and receiving acclaim for his skill and courage (XXL Global Big Wave Awards including Biggest Wave, Ride of the Year and Performer of the Year, Adventurer of the Year to name a few) Greg is now focusing his time and energy on raising awareness for the plight of the ocean he loves. Partnering with brands committed to ocean conservation and sharing his personal story, Greg is lending his voice to the outcry about the state of our planet.
LAUREN DE VOS
SCIENCE WRITER
“How do you make people fall in love with fish?” A deep reverence for wilderness drives her to find conservation solutions. Lauren has a background in understanding issues of human/wildlife conflict, as well as savanna ecology through the Organisation for Tropical Studies.
JESMANE BOGGENPOEL
AUTHOR
Jesmane is an experienced business executive and a former Head of Business Engagement for Africa at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. She has served on the boards of various South African and international organizations. She is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government. Jesmane was honoured as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and is a Harvard Mason fellow.
PETER MARSHALL
EX-SWIMMER & ENTREPRENEUR
From a very young age, Peter showed immense talent in the swimming pool. He was awarded a swimming scholarship to Stanford University where he completed a degree in Economics and won many gold medals for his team. His post collegiate professional career saw him swimming on the US team with sponsors Speedo and Tyr for 11 years, breaking 8 World Records and winning 3 World Championships.
Passionate about seeing sustainability in both business and sports, Peter co-founded Agulhas Gear, an ocean exploration brand dedicated to creating sustainable, high performance freediving gear.