Team WAVE
Meet the Members of
Team WAVE
Tricia loves serving as the Executive Director for WAVE Foundation. Tricia brings a growth mindset, a wealth of nonprofit knowledge, and years of experience in the for-profit sector. She is passionate about WAVE’s mission and excited to help others get involved. Tricia is a lover of the outdoors, and can regularly be found at or in the water. She has long been caring for the environment, helping to organize her first River Sweep in 1998 in her hometown of Hazard, KY. Tricia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. She is the Board Chair and a meals volunteer with the Emergency Shelter of NKY. Tricia, her husband Jim, and furbabies Zippo, Fuzz and Shiner, reside in Northern Kentucky. In their free time, they like to hike, bike, paddle, travel, and see live music.
Katie is the Director of Education, shaping the education strategy and new programming for WAVE. She attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, where she earned her Masters degree in Education. From there, Katie worked at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for a number of years as their Zoo on the Move Program Manager. In that role, she was able to help create curriculum and teach in hundreds of classrooms around Cincinnati, including as an adjunct professor for Miami University’s Advanced Inquiry Program. She also taught in a formal education setting at St. Veronica Elementary for two years. Katie’s favorite part about working with WAVE is how the organization connects our community with animals and gets them excited about conservation. In her free time, Katie loves to read Agatha Christie novels and go hiking.
Kristen is the Director of Conservation & Community Engagement at WAVE. She has spent more than 10 years working for local nonprofit institutions, starting her career at the Cincinnati Museum Center and most recently, the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. She is a University of Cincinnati graduate with a background in Art Education, and has spent most of her career in museum education, program management, and volunteer administration. Recently, Kristen finished her term as the Board President of the Cincinnati Association of Volunteer Administrators and is also a proud lifetime member (and volunteer) of the Girl Scouts. Kristen is eager to improve conservation practices in the community through the Newport Aquarium’s wildlife!
Rachel is WAVE’s Director of Operations. She oversees facility operations and safety in addition to managing WAVE on Wheels education program registrations. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Morehead State University. Rachel has extensive experience in the film/video industry and worked as a paralegal for many years where she mastered managing large projects, budgets, crews, and calendars. Rachel has also worked on many music videos and commercial sets as a Production Manager. In her most recent position as Operations Manager for Aras Creative Co and The Annex of Oakley, she managed facility operations, production and operational financials, and a building renovation project. Rachel loves spending time with her family, hiking, walking her dogs Gunner and Gus Gus Lloyd, playing guitar, and watching live music. Rachel is excited to finally be in the non-profit sector working as a team with her WAVE counterparts toward our mission.
Harley is an Education Manager with WAVE. She nurtured her passion for nature and wildlife from a young age. Growing up, she watched nature documentaries, spent time outside, and grew a deep love for the ocean. Harley graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Her first experience with WAVE was as a camper, and years later, joined as a Conservation Education Intern, where she found her passion for teaching others about nature and the aquatic world. Harley spent a year in sunny Naples, FL, where she interned in wildlife rehabilitation and became a marine science camp counselor before moving back to Cincinnati, where she found herself working for WAVE again. She has worked several roles with WAVE before taking on her current role of Conservation Education Manager in early 2024. When she is not educating others about our planet, she enjoys running, scuba diving (in open water and in the tanks at Newport Aquarium!), creeking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Martin, and her pitbull, Loretta.
Kristen is a Conservation Education Manager for WAVE Foundation. She attended Anderson University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, and is currently attending Unity Environmental University working on a Master’s of Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Kristen worked as a music teacher for 10 years (2 years in Alaska and 8 years in Southern Indiana) before working as a camp counselor for Camp WAVE during the summer of 2023. She joined WAVE full time as an Education Coordinator in December 2023. Kristen grew up camping and hiking, and has always had a love for conservation. She loves being able to combine her love of teaching and conservation through WAVE. In her free time, Kristen enjoys hiking, camping, baking, fiber arts, and running. She also loves spending time with her dog, Ginny, and her cat, Kravitz.
Sabrina is the Volunteer Manager, facilitating adult volunteer, internship, and Teen WAVE programs. They attended Miami University in Oxford, where they earned their Master’s degree in Biology. Additionally, they are currently working towards their Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Xavier University. Prior to joining WAVE, Sabrina worked at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for several years as their Volunteer and Youth Conservation Programs Manager. In that role, they were able to help support and grow the youth volunteer and internship programs. Additionally, Sabrina worked briefly with Great Parks of Hamilton County as an interpreter at the Winton Woods Farm and Equestrian Center. Sabrina’s favorite part about working with WAVE is how the organization celebrates volunteerism and community conservation efforts. In their free time, Sabrina enjoys spending time with friends and being active.
Sara Jane is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at WAVE. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism and French. During her career, Sara Jane has worked for multiple small businesses, doing professional barista work as well as social media management and marketing. Her first experience with WAVE was as a Communications Intern in 2022, then came back in 2025 for a part-time Communications Coordinator role in 2025 before transitioning to full-time. She found her passion for non-profit work because of WAVE and is thrilled to use her creative skills to engage the community on conservation. Outside of work, Sara Jane pursues multiple creative passions, including crafting, practicing with a local community band, filming videos, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends!
Sara Jane Kennelly-Gaither (she/her)
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Julie is the Operations Manager for WAVE Foundation. She began working at Newport Aquarium in the Guest Services department just prior to opening day in 1999. In fact, Julie sold the very first ticket to Newport Aquarium to the Mayor of Newport! In 2005, Julie cut back to part-time so she could be at home with her children and began working for the WAVE Foundation. Julie has worn many hats including Education Curator, Development Coordinator and Office Coordinator. In her spare time, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and two daughters, Kaitlyn and Lauren, and is highly involved in activities at church and school. Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Ohio University and a Master’s degree in Education from Xavier University.
Katie works as a Conservation Educator at WAVE and has a passion for all things living and nonliving on our planet! Born and raised across the river in Cincinnati, Katie grew to appreciate wildlife through books, nature shows, exploration in her backyard, trips to beaches, and camping. She has attended Bowling Green State University and Cincinnati State Technical College to earn her Associate of Science degree. Katie joined team WAVE as a Conservation Education Intern in 2023 and enjoyed it so much that she stayed! After falling in love with environmental education, Katie worked with Team WAVE part-time until eventually diving into her current role in 2024. Katie takes the chance to get outside wherever she can; she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and camping. She also has a passion for creativity, whether it be writing, drawing, music, or crafting. Otherwise, Katie can be found reading, caring for her growing collection of houseplants, and spending time with her dog, Koda.
Conservation Educator
Conservation Educator
Sophia is a Conservation Educator with the WAVE Foundation. She attended Kent State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining the team full-time in 2024, Sophia was a WAVE Summer Camp Counselor from 2021-2024. Sophia has always enjoyed working with children; seeing kids making connections with animals and the natural world amazes and inspires her. In the classroom, Sophia truly loves teaching and strives to make every educational experience engaging and entertaining. Just for fun, you might find Sophia listening to music, painting, or playing video games. With an innate curiosity and passion for the outdoors, she also enjoys birding, hiking, photography, and even snorkeling!
Part-Time Educators
Ren Mathy
Jo Lizotte
Kai Wolfinbarger
Daphne Lawson
Riley Hoff
Evanne Newland
