MEET THE TEAM
Our Year Round Team in Kefalonia
Chanel’s devotion to conservation efforts and scientific research has led her to work with sea turtles since 2010. Her enthusiastic and ambitious attitude, combined with an inherent desire to work with vulnerable species has inspired her to promote awareness about these species and important environmental issues. Chanel has pursued this passion through working with several environmental conservation organizations, both in America and Greece. She earned her B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry with honors from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, NY, while interning at the Bronx Zoo, where she became interested in animal behavior. Chanel graduated from Coastal Carolina University, SC, with a master’s degree in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. She conducted her research thesis on loggerhead sea turtle hatchling orientation in Kyparissia, Greece. Soon after she co-founded Wildlife Sense where she now enjoys spending her days working with others to protect sea turtles in Kefalonia, where her family is from.
Nikos’ love for the sea was fostered from childhood when he would often spend hours snorkeling to observe the sea bottom and its variety of plants and animals, often freediving at forty or fifty feet to reach them. Later in life, while working as a computer programmer, he volunteered with the Red Cross’s Rescue Team in open water lifeguarding and earned a lifesaving instructor certification.
Since first volunteering for sea turtle conservation, Nikos has worked as a field researcher, field leader, and project coordinator for several conservation projects for over fifteen years. He completed a BSc in Wildlife Management at the University of Aberdeen, UK, with a dissertation research project investigating the light pollution tolerance of sea turtle hatchlings. This led him to co-found Wildlife Sense where, aside from helping run the overall operation, he can specialize in technical instrumentation for research as well as the investigation and response to violations against wildlife and the natural environment.
From a young age, Annya has always had a passion for the environment, in particular, the marine environment. Annya grew up in Jamaica and would spend hours a day in the sea looking for new fascinating organisms.
Annya’s love for marine life only thrived as she got older leading her to the University of Liverpool, where she studied Marine Biology and graduated in 2016. During her time at university, her love for sea turtles was discovered. Now, several years later, she still works with Wildlife Sense and loves to spread her knowledge on sea turtles with others.
As Programme Coordinator, you’ll often find Annya on the beaches finding sea turtle nests, flying a drone, or coordinating a tagging event. Her favourite thing during these events is measuring turtles’ plastrons.
Josh has spent near to his entire life next to the sea, traveling around and seeing a variety of different ecosystems and the animals within. This led to him spending most of his free time either in or right beside the ocean taking photos. As a result of this he decided that he would pursue a career in marine conservation, recently completing his master’s in Marine Biology!
Josh has been part of the Wildlife Sense family since 2018 when he first volunteered in Argostoli in nesting season. Since then, he has returned every year, before permanently joining the family in 2021. In 2020 he conducted his own research here by combining his two main passions; turtles and photography, which resulted in him running the Photo ID project. If he is not sitting at his desk identifying turtles or looking at excels you will most likely find him running around the harbour with either his camera or in his wetsuit!
Charlotte is originally from the Isle of Wight and has a BA in Primary Education with Geography and QTS. She is a qualified Teacher with experience working with children ranging from infants to teenagers, specialising in children with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. She moved to Kefalonia in 2020 and has always been passionate about the environment and protecting it. Charlotte started volunteering with Wildlife Sense in 2018 and loved working with the team and learning about sea turtles. Charlotte is now really excited and feels privileged to join the Wildlife Sense family permanently helping run their Education Program. Finding the first tracks, nests and helping the hatchlings to sea has always been something Charlotte is extremely passionate about. Now Charlotte is looking forward to working with both the sea turtle and coastal conservation projects. She believes education plays a vital role in the conservation and protection of the environment and is pleased that this new role with Wildlife Sense will enable her to share her passion.
In her spare time, Charlotte will be out exploring the natural beauty Kefalonia has to offer.
Poppy first volunteered with Wildlife Sense in 2018 and has since focused on the conservation of coastal and marine environments through both practical experience (working with leatherback sea turtles in Costa Rica) and her academic studies. She has a BSc in Geography and a MSc in Geographical Information Science, having concentrated on the impacts of climate change locally and regionally.
She loves creating maps from the wide range of data collected, whether that’s the distribution of seagrass or location of sea turtle nesting sites. In her free time, Poppy enjoys snorkelling along the island’s beaches and running up and down it’s hills (all fuelled by a mixture of souvlaki, ice cream and tzatziki).
Harry has been involved with Wildlife Sense ever since first volunteering in the 2015 hatching season. He finally made the permanent move to Greece in 2024 after realising his Irish heritage and getting an EU passport! He has a degree in wildlife and media and a masters in acting and loves the combination of field work and teaching opportunities that his role enables. A wildlife fanatic from infancy, he spends his free time out in the wilds, exploring the rugged beauty of the island and learning more about it’s megafauna.
Lorna and Ray have been living in Kefalonia since 2008 and have been volunteers with Wildlife Sense since 2015. They became interested in turtle conservation after seeing a turtle hatchling emerge from a nest on Megali Ammos beach on a hot summer afternoon.
From May to October each summer they, together with other volunteers, find and protect the sea turtle nests and record data in the Lourdas area. They also get involved with turtle tagging events at the harbour and other projects. One of their favourite experiences was helping to release Finn, a rehabilitated hatchling, in November 2019.
When they are not walking the beaches they enjoy rambling and exploring the Island. They have made many friends and shared many experiences during their time with Wildlife Sense.
Gill and David both grew up in England, they met when Gill started teaching in London. David was a scientist and later a medical instrument service engineer, travelling widely in Europe, the Middle East and the USA.
They retired to the island in 2014 and in 2016 began to assist with nest inventories in the Lourdas area and was immediately hooked. The following year Gill was also hooked, and both have worked continuously on beach patrols every summer and in both summer and winter assist with turtle tagging events. David is working at headquarters on rebuilding a turtle skeleton for use as a teaching aid. In addition, from June to September they also put up a display at Klimatis Taverna every Tuesday explaining the work of Wildlife Sense and informing visitors and locals alike on the life and times of the sea turtles.
Our Seasonal Team
Shirley and Michael moved to Kefalonia from the UK in January 2004. When Wildlife Sense was formed, they decided to join a dedicated group of people. The first few years they helped with locating and protecting turtle nests and seeing hatchlings making their way into the ocean. The last few years have seen them at the Harbour of Argostoli answering questions from tourists about the life of our resident turtles.
My name’s Emma and I have loved my time at Wildlife Sense. I am currenty studying for my MSc in International Marine Science in the hope to secure a career within conserving our oceans. In my spare time you can find me snorkelling and exploring the island.
Cara is from Cheshire, England and has a degree in marine biology. She has been going to Greece from a young age and found her love for marine animals there. Cara volunteered with the project twice in 2023, during mating season and hatching season. Her favourite shift is tagging as you get to be hands-on with the turtles. During her days off she can be found at the beach and swimming in the sea!
Claire from Newcastle upon Tyne and studied Zoology at the University of Leeds. Her favourite Wildlife Sense shift is going out on inventories, as she loves to see hatchlings take their first breath when they enter the sea. She also loves to sunbathe and snorkel in her free time and hopefully spot some turtles too!
Annabel is from East Yorkshire and she fell in love with sea turtles and conservation after her first visit to Wildlife Sense in 2019. She has returned to the project ever since whilst completing her degree in Environmental Science. When Annabel is not spotting turtles along the harbour or on the beach finding tracks, she loves to spend her time eating vegan souvlaki and napping in a hammock.
Caitlin is from Newcastle and studied Animal behaviour with Psychology for her BSc and Animal Psychology for her MSc at the University of Chester. Caitlin has many favourite shifts, she loves morning surveys because you never know what you might find, but she also really loves going to the harbour and getting to see the turtles swimming around.
Molly is from Cambridge England and is super excited to come back to the project for her 4th year. She loves to travel and encounter different marine life, especially turtles. Her favourite shifts are the inventories and getting to see all the hatchlings taking their first breaths.
Maddie is from a small village in Essex and is currently enjoying studying Marine Biology at Bangor University in North Wales. Her favourite shift at Wildlife Sense is harbour shifts as it is such a special experience observing the adult turtles behaviours and interactions. In her spare time she can be found swimming, snorkelling and exploring Kefalonia!
Amelia’s passion for the marine world was first discovered at a young age having grown up by the sea and received many Animal encyclopaedias for her birthday! Since volunteering she has also found her love for conservation, especially sea turtles!
Amy is from the midlands and studied Marine Geography at Cardiff University. Her favourite shift is morning survey, as she loves finding new nests and hatchling tracks early in day. She loved volunteering with Wildlife Sense and can’t wait to come back, meet lots of new people and make more amazing memories.
Lucy has spent her life beside the sea and is passionate about protecting both the environment and marine ecosystem. She volunteered with Wildlife Sense back in 2023 which further sparked her interest in both turtles and conservation. Her favourite shifts are inventories when she’s able to see tiny hatchlings make their way into such a big world. She loves meeting new people from all over the globe and believes you can never stop learning!
Rebekah is from Northern Ireland and has always loved the ocean, studying Marine Biology at university. She first volunteered with Wildlife Sense in 2024 which ignited her passion for turtle conservation. She loves the beach and her favourite memories from her time volunteering are helping the baby turtles to sea!
Jean has visited the island several times and has fallen in love with its beauty and the incredible sea turtles. Her favourite shift is the morning survey, where she enjoys collecting valuable data, navigating nesting female turtle tracks, and monitoring and protecting nest sites. On her days off, she loves exploring the beaches and snorkelling, deepening her passion for marine conservation.
Zachary Wong is from California and loves volleyball, music, traveling, and exploring new places. He’s easygoing, patient, and always happy to help others feel welcome. He is also passionate about marine ecology and conservation, and loves being involved in projects that protect wildlife and coastal ecosystems.
Ruby has three main passions in life: the ocean, turtles, and travelling. When not in Greece, she is studying Ocean Science and Marine Conservation at university, after having two gap years to explore the world. Volunteering for the first time in August 2025 and seeing her first hatchlings, she fell in love with the project! Her favourite shifts are the inventory shifts and the anticipation of whether you will find any hatchlings left in the nest!
Orlaith joined us in 2024 for 2-weeks and fell in love with the project. She has recently completed a degree in BSc psychology, spending a placement year working in research. Her highlight from her time as a volunteer was swimming a hatchling out to sea at sunset on her last night. In her free time, Orlaith will most likely be sitting on the beach, and she is always up for a game of cards.
Phill has been volunteering with Wildlife Sense since 2013. He supports volunteers in Lixouri, working on nesting beaches on the Paliki peninsula. His background is Environmental Science, and he is a retired teacher. Phill is always looking forward to another exciting season ready for those early morning patrols or an emergency nest relocation.
Giles from Cambridge, England. He’s super excited to be back with Wildlife Sense in Kefalonia for the fifth year running. Walking the beaches at night under the beautiful skies looking for nesting females is just magical, and he loves going for a snorkel in the crystal clear water on his rest days.
Ellen is from Bournemouth, England and studied Zoology at Southampton University, which lead to her first volunteering with Wildlife Sense in 2020. Her favourite shifts are night surveys, especially when she gets to witness a turtle nesting. She has also been fortunate enough to work with nesting leatherbacks, greens and olive ridley’s in Costa Rica.
Evie is from Norwich and enjoys all things nature and wildlife! Her favourite Wildlife Sense shifts are the morning cycles to Megas Lakkos and Vatsa. In her free time in Kefalonia, you will see her trying to talk to the turtles!
Tilly is from the Peak District, England. She has a passion for nature, wildlife and conservation and also works in childcare. Tilly first volunteered in 2024 and again in 2025. Her favourite shift is Avithos morning survey and getting involved during inventories. During her free time you will find her sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the sea.
Lucy joined Wildlife Sense to support sea turtle conservation and gain practical field experience. They enjoy being outdoors, learning from nature, and working as part of a team. As a Biological Sciences student passionate about marine conservation, Lucy aims to help protect wildlife and inspire others to care for the natural world.
Symi is from North Devon and has a BSc in Marine Vertebrate Zoology from Bangor University. She has always had a love for the sea, and after volunteering in 2024 and twice in 2025, she knew this is what she wanted to do! She doesn’t have a favourite shift (she loves it all!) but there’s something special about finding a nest or seeing hatchlings for the first time!
Sicely is from England and is studying for a BSc in Zoology at Bristol University. She has always been passionate about the environment, her love for marine life, especially turtles, grew after volunteering in 2024. She loves early morning cycles and watching the sunrise, and often spends her free time spotting turtles or snorkelling in Kefalonia’s clear waters.
Izzy is from Harrogate, England and first volunteered with Wildlife Sense in 2024! Loved the project so much, with favourites being the cycle to Vatsa and night surveys under the stars! In her spare time you will find her snorkelling, at the beach or exploring the rest of Kefalonia!
Josh is from a small village close to Norwich. For his degree, he studied history at the University of East Anglia but now feels more drawn toward conservation particularly after his experience with Wildlife Sense last year. Although it is hard to choose from the many great experiences at Wildlife Sense, his favourite shifts were hatchling rescue and inventories.
Poppy is from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England and is completing a degree in Marine Biology at the University of Liverpool. She spent most of her childhood at the seaside where she developed a passion for marine life. She loves travelling and wants to help sea creatures all over the world. In her free time, she can be found doing all sorts of water activities.
Isabelle is from Warwickshire and recently graduated from the University of Warwick with her master’s in Biology. Isabelle first volunteered with the project in 2022 and her favourite shifts are Posidonia surveys as she loves being out on the water and the excitement of finding see grass or other marine life!
Celyn is an Integrated Wildlife Conservation graduate with a deep passion for the protection of marine ecosystems. While volunteering at the Skala Marine and Coastal Project in 2025, she learned about the opportunity to return the following year as a field assistant and was determined to apply, eager to continue contributing to meaningful conservation work.
Liberty studied Marine and Natural History Photography and has always felt most at home in or near the ocean. A passionate advocate for wildlife conservation, she loves sharing the beauty of marine life through photography and enjoys taking an active role in protecting it.
Anna is from Ireland and studied environmental science at Liverpool University. When Anna was a child her dream was to help save the turtles and she is over the moon that her childhood dreams have come true! You’ll often find her on the beach shell hunting, make sure to show her any ones you find!
I’m Liam (20) from Germany. Right now I‘m working on my Bachelors degree in Biosciences at Heidelberg University. I love to travel and meet new people which is why I came to Kefalonia two times as a volunteer. My ultimate goal is to combine my passion for travel and exploring the ocean.
Wajid is an engineering student, whose keen on exploring countries and having new experiences.
Lucy is from South Wales and studied Biology at the University of Bath. She volunteered in 2024 and loved every single moment. Her favourite moments include the hatchling rescue night shift and nest inventories. She loved meeting new people from all over the world and made best friends for life!
Claire is from Edinburgh and has a BSc in Marine Biology and an MSc in Marine Conservation. She first volunteered in 2019 where she instantly fell in love with sea turtles and has been coming back ever since. In her free time, you can find her snorkelling always with the hope of spotting cool marine life!
Lewis is enthusiastic and hard working. He has a passion for the ocean’s environment, fauna and flora. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology at Exeter University in 2023, getting to experience a great deal of project work through his field courses. One of which he is proud of that took place in the Galapagos working with Turtles and dolphins. He’s volunteered in his local area for marine groups and completed a one month internship in Greece which has helped build his passion for marine conservation.
Alice is a Neonatal Nurse from the UK who loves looking after tiny baby patients and also has a passion for animal care. She volunteered with Wildlife Sense this year as well as with a wildlife conservation project in South Africa! She loved all shifts, especially tagging shifts being hands on with the turtles and also seeing turtle interactions at the beautiful harbour!
Hannah is from North East Linconshire and is currently enjoying studying marine biology at the University of Bangor in North Wales. She enjoys snorkelling and paddleboarding in her free time as well as reading. her favorite shift is bird survey as she loves seeing the different kinds of wildlife that inhabit Kefalonia as well as seeing new and exciting species and how the interact with one another. you can often find her on the beach adding to her massive shell and seaglass collection!
My name is Maddie McNeil. I am 23 years old and live in California, USA. In college I double majored in Wildlife Biology and Ecosystem Science & Sustainability and hope to pursue research and conservation/rehabilitation work as a career. Along with animals I love surfing, crocheting, drawing, and camping.
Mia’s love for the marine environment was planted at a young age, where she grew up in the South of England surfing and exploring the local ecosystems. Mia first volunteered with Wildlife Sense in 2021, where she discovered a love for field work and conservation – especially finding new nests on morning surveys; she has since returned every season and pursued studies for a BSc in Marine Biology. In her free time, Mia enjoys running, creating art and making friends with the local stray cats.
Ned is studying History and Politics in Manchester. Out of all the great experiences at Wildlife Sense, he thinks the top 3 are finding your first nest on a morning survey, sunset swims, and making lifelong friends from all over the world.
Millie’s passion for helping both people and animals started at a young age. Since first volunteering with Wildlife Sense in 2021, Millie has just kept returning, gaining valuable volunteer experience. As a recent graduate with a Fine Art Painting degree, her artistic passion adds a creative dimension to her conservation efforts as you can often find her sketching hatchlings or drawing the various animals that live within the Wildlife Sense community.
Martha is from Cheshire, England and fell in love with the programme in 2024 as a volunteer in Lixouri, discovering a passion for sea turtles and conservation. She loves being out at sunrise for a morning survey and checking for new tracks. In her spare time you will find her snorkelling, running or popping into a bakery.
Lucy is currently doing her MSci at Glasgow. She first volunteered in 2021 and has volunteered every year since! Lucy loves morning surveys and inventories, she says there is no better feeling than finding the eggs or watching the hatchlings crawl to sea! She spends her free time snorkelling, playing cards or reading.
Sorrel is from London, England and is studying Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University. He has volunteered during both Nesting and Hatching seasons, and his favourite shift is morning survey due to the excitement of finding tracks on the beach! In his spare time he enjoys snorkelling in the sea and eating ice cream.
Millie first volunteered in April 2024, and has returned to Wildlife Sense twice since after falling in love with Kefalonia and the project. Being from the Isle of Wight, she has always had a connection with the sea and nature, and is a lifelong animal lover. Millie loves to be hands-on with the turtles, and so her favourite shifts are tagging and getting involved with nest inventories. In her free time you might find her exploring the island (sometimes by boat) or relaxing on the beach.
Amy has a BSc degree in Zoology and has applied to continue her studies by pursuing a master’s in Evolution, Ecology, and Behaviour. She is from North Yorkshire but loves travelling and first volunteered with Wildlife Sense in 2022. Since then, her passion for animal research and conservation has developed. Amy loves observing turtle behaviour during the harbour shifts.
Jodie is a veterinary science student at Liverpool university, looking to work in wildlife and conservation once graduated! She has previously visit St Lucia to undertake surveys of sea grass meadows, landscape and nesting areas in order to prevent important natural sites from being developed into ports and harbours. She joined us in 2023 as a volunteer before starting her degree! In her spare time she enjoys hikes, gardening, and most of all spending time with horses.
Evelyn is from Poland and has spent her entire life by the sea. After first volunteering in 2023, she fell in love with the project and has been coming back every year! Her favourite shift is tagging, as you get to be hands-on with the turtles. In her spare time, you can often find Evelyn swimming in the sea.
Alexandra is a Master’s student in Lyon, France, who volunteered for Wildlife Sense for the first time in 2024. She has loved everything wildlife since she was little and she grew up in Cyprus, by the sea, which is why she is very passionate about the conservation of sea turtles.
Tom is from a beach town in Devon and is studying Engineering in Plymouth. He has a passion for travelling and a thirst for adventure. He first volunteered in August 2025, and has fallen involve with turtles and Kefalonia. In Tom’s spare time he will be swimming, snorkelling, or diving in the ocean.
Phoebe is from Newcastle and studies Zoology at the University of Nottingham. She has a passion for animal behaviour and conservation. Phoebe loves morning shifts, as she enjoys looking for turtle tracks and finding nests. During her free time, she can be found swimming, sunbathing, and challenging everyone at card games.
Eve works in the conservation sector back home in North Wales after having completed her degree in Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University and Masters in Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Sheffield. In her spare time, she loves to run, walk and sunset swim. She loves having evening inventories and watching all the hatchings swim off to sea!