👥 Our Team, Collaborators & Partners

Board Officers & Directors

Founded in early 2016 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2017, Earthwise Aware is a pro-bono, volunteer-driven nonprofit. We’re proud of its mission and are building a vibrant, fast-growing community thanks to dedicated supporters. Join us on this exciting journey!

☞ Claire O’Neill | EwA President & Board Director

Originally from France, Claire O’Neill lived in Canada during the 1990s before settling permanently in the United States. Trained as a scientist in mathematical statistics, probability, and artificial intelligence, Claire is also an accomplished field naturalist and wildlife conservationist. As the founder of Earthwise Aware (EwA), she is committed to fostering biodiversity conservation through ecological education, ethical science practices, and environmental leadership.

Claire co-chairs the Ethics Affinity Group of the U.S.-based Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS), where she leads efforts to promote ethics in participatory ecology and conservation science. She also serves as a co-organizer of the Greater Boston iNaturalist City Nature Challenge, co-chairs the Boston Biodiversity Consortium steering committee, and is actively involved in local conservation as a committee member for the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation and an advisor to Green & Open Somerville.

A passionate advocate for science democratization, Claire launched EwA’s Biodiversity & Climate Participatory Science program, connecting communities with local ecosystems through citizen science. Her initiatives provide hands-on learning and empower communities to engage in ecological research, focusing on species interactions, habitats, and urban ecosystem functions.

With a background that bridges scientific expertise, leadership, and conservation advocacy, Claire has built EwA into a thriving organization. Her vision and dedication continue to inspire and energize the EwA community, strengthening its impact and outreach.

'Celebrating responsibly the gift of Nature every day, whatever we do wherever we are' –Claire ➔

Ultimately, we all aspire to make positive and responsible contributions while fully embracing life and its experiences. At EwA, we believe in celebrating the gift of nature responsibly every day, regardless of our location or activities. “Earthwise Aware —Because I Care!” has truly become my life motto, encapsulating my commitment to environmental stewardship and care.

☞ Linda Williams | EwA Vice-President, Secretary & Board Director

In January 2022, Linda joined an EwA Intro to Plant & Wildlife Monitoring Walk at Long Pond (Middlesex Fells Reservation) and was immediately captivated. She quickly realized that EwA was an organization where she could make a meaningful difference, drawn by its data-driven approach, technology use, and the dedication of its volunteers.

An avid outdoor enthusiast and aspiring naturalist and garden designer, Linda now leads EwA’s phenology tracking at Bellevue Pond (another pond of the Middlesex Fells and EwA study site) and serves as a Trail Adopter with the Friends of the Fells. She actively represents EwA at community events, sharing its vital work with enthusiasm. Linda is also a member of The Trustees of Reservations, Mass Audubon, Grow Native Massachusetts, the American Horticultural Society, and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

As EwA’s Vice President, Linda brings 24 years of experience in multinational financial services, where she led teams and built cross-company relationships that foster trust and client value. Eager to continue learning about phenology and natural systems, she is deeply committed to EwA’s mission and vision.

We are honored to have Linda as EwA’s Vice President and look forward to supporting the organization’s growth together. Her experience will help us strengthen community relationships and enhance EwA’s advocacy efforts. [More about Linda…]

☞ James Tague | EwA Treasurer

James joined EwA in May 2024 as part of the phenology study team at the Fresh Pond Reservation (Cambridge, MA). With over 25 years of experience in outdoor recreation, conservation, and education, he has been an active member of organizations such as the Native Plant Trust, Appalachian Mountain Club, Mass Audubon, and Columbia University’s Center for the Environment & Conservation. His curiosity has led him to take numerous adult education classes in botany, ecology, marine biology, and environmental economics, enriching his passion for nature and guiding his advocacy. EwA’s participatory science programs and commitment to ecological ethics resonate deeply with his values, and he values the knowledge he has gained as a volunteer.

As EwA’s Treasurer, James brings 39 years of financial management experience as a former CPA, primarily within nonprofit organizations. He has held roles as director of finance, controller, and financial management consultant, specializing in nonprofit accounting, budgeting, fundraising strategies, and tax compliance. He has also served as a liaison to board treasurers and various finance committees.

Having recently reduced his work commitments, James is eager to expand his contributions to EwA. We are honored to have him serve as Treasurer, and together with James, EwA is committed to navigating its next phase of growth. [More about James]

☞ Kristian Demary | EwA Board Director

Kristian serves as a director for EwA, bringing expertise in outreach, participatory science, ecological research, and grant writing. Her commitment to EwA’s mission of connecting people with nature and promoting environmental ethics is evident through her active involvement in the Buggy participatory science project, where she curates data for statistical analysis. Additionally, she has participated in outreach events like the Cambridge Science Festival, Cambridge Moth Ball, and the Earth Day event at the Somerville Community Growing Center.

Kristian holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Tufts University, specializing in insect ecology and the impact of native plants on urban biodiversity. Her research includes studying firefly behavior and the effects of light pollution, and she has served as a science consultant for the Boston Museum of Science’s Firefly Watch project.

As a lecturer at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Kristian teaches Environmental Science and Sustainability Science and contributes to the Colleges of the Fenway (COF) Sustainability minor. Her academic network enables her to assist in recruiting students for internships and fellowships at EwA.

In her post-doctoral research at the Best Bees Company and Urban Bee Lab, she trained interns, analyzed data, wrote grants, and engaged in outreach, including a talk on colony collapse disorder in honey bees at the Cambridge Science Festival.

Kristian’s diverse background and passion for conservation make her a valuable asset to EwA. We look forward to many years of hard work together advancing arthropod participatory science and advocacy. [More about Kristian]

☞ Bill MacIndewar | EwA Board Director

Bill serves as a director for EwA and has a longstanding passion for science, nature, and conservation. After a 35-year career as a middle school science teacher, he retired in June 2023. In his personal life, Bill enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, fishing, and various other activities.

His involvement with EwA began in 2018 when his brother Joe introduced him to an EwA event. Since then, Bill has been an active participant, contributing in numerous ways. He has co-led a monthly public walk in the Fells with Joe for several years and has supported public outreach at community events. Additionally, he regularly participates in EwA’s monthly livestreams and is a strong contributor to EwA’s iNaturalist projects. Most recently, he has assisted with baseline biodiversity surveys in rogue patch areas within the Fells.

We are thrilled to have Bill on board as a director, and we look forward to his continued meaningful impact on EwA’s mission. [More about Bill]

☞ Yvonne Liu-Constant | EwA Board Director

Yvonne has been an active member since August 2020. She regularly participates in phenology and entomology data collection activities at Long Pond on Friday mornings and has organized birthday fundraisers on Facebook, along with making ongoing monthly contributions to EwA.

In her professional life, Yvonne works as an early childhood teacher educator at Lesley University, focusing on STEAM education, and as a researcher at Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education, specializing in cross-cultural studies. She aims to leverage her knowledge and connections in education to advance EwA’s mission of advocacy and networking while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Yvonne is passionate about democratizing biodiversity and climate sciences, as well as advancing conservation ethics. Since joining EwA, she has gained invaluable insights and is grateful to be part of a community she loves working with. We are excited to have Yvonne serve as a director for EwA and look forward to many years of innovative projects that deepen our educational impact. [More about Yvonne]

☞ Joe MacIndewar | EwA Board Director

Joe has been a volunteer naturalist and participatory scientist with Earthwise Aware (EwA) since 2018. He first met Claire O’Neill at EwA’s inaugural event in the Middlesex Fells Reservation and discovered that his passion for nature and conservation aligned closely with EwA’s core principles. He has remained actively involved with EwA for the past five years.

Throughout his time with EwA, Joe has co-led public nature walks, assisted at community events, and contributed to candidate vernal pool surveys and biodiversity projects. More recently, he has participated in habitat fragmentation surveys in the Fells and routinely attends EwA’s monthly Zoom livestreams.

In his full-time role at a printing company, Joe provides pro bono printing for EwA, creating signage, event posters, banners, and member name badges.

EwA is thrilled to have Joe on board as a director and looks forward to the continued impact he will make in the years to come. [More about Joe]

Past Board Members

☞ Sharan Bahra | Advisor
2017-2024 EwA Vice-President & Board Director (United Kingdom)

Originally from the UK, Sharan was an operational change and people manager within a major bank until 2010. After a successful 15-year career, she seized the opportunity for voluntary redundancy and embarked on nine months of voluntary conservation work across multiple countries.

Upon her return, Sharan transitioned into self-employment as a consultant, restructuring her life to maintain her commitment to leading and supporting businesses through project management and transformational change. This shift also allowed her the flexibility to pursue her passion for volunteering and nature conservation ventures once her contracts concluded.

Sharan’s volunteer experiences span across Africa, Asia, and Australia, with even more plans for the future. Her dedication to professional excellence and environmental stewardship exemplifies her commitment to positively impacting both the corporate and conservation sectors.

'The ethics of conservation volunteering and travel need a lot more thoughts...' –Sharan ➔

“I have the best of both worlds and my enthusiasm for knowledge transfer, to learn and to share what I’ve learned, works in both fields.

Conservation efforts for me include finding out about good ventures, learning lessons from bad ones, widening my knowledge from fellow travelers, working with and understanding local communities and what they do to preserve their ecosystems and wildlife, and of course sharing my enthusiasm.

Claire and I met in Asia on a poorly run animal conservation site and it was our conversations in the main that grew my awareness that the ethics of conservation volunteering and travel need a lot more thoughts.

Over the years I’ve often been approached to share my experiences and about how I choose ethical organizations. Then when Claire asked me if I would be interested in collaborating on Earthwise Aware and working on a platform for furthering knowledge about conservation volunteering & traveling ethics (including my own), I simply jumped at the opportunity.”

☞ Jeffrey O’Neill | Advisor
2017-2024 EwA Board Counsel, Secretary, and Director (United States)

Born in the US, Jeff’s life journey has taken him from Puerto Rico to France, instilling in him a deep appreciation for minimalism and environmental consciousness. He exemplifies the ethos of living lightly on the Earth, always mindful of his impact. Jeff firmly believes in taking personal responsibility for shaping one’s destiny, leading by example, and encouraging others to do what they believe is right and necessary. His unwavering support for EwA underscores his dedication to its mission and vision.

With a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and a Juris Doctorate, Jeff’s academic background is as diverse as his interests. During law school, he interned at Fair Vote and the National Voting Rights Institute, where he authored a groundbreaking law review article advocating for fairer voting procedures under the U.S. Constitution. Jeff’s passion for empowering individuals to vote correctly inspired him to found OpaVote in 2011, further demonstrating his commitment to democratic principles.

Jeff’s unique blend of technical and legal expertise enriches EwA’s development, making him an invaluable asset to the organization. Beyond supporting EwA’s mission, he brings invaluable knowledge and skills contributing to its growth and success.

☞ Daniel Onea | In memoriam
2019-2023 EwA Board Accountant (United States)

03/16/2024

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Daniel Onea, a cherished EwA community member and gifted nature photographer. Daniel’s journey was one of deep passion and unwavering commitment to our natural world, leaving behind a legacy of profound intellect and love for all living beings.

Many of you may remember Daniel from the early days of EwA. Daniel was known for his strong convictions and unwavering principles. He had a deep concern for the ethical relationship between humanity and nature. He ardently believed in the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change and the ecological crisis. As a talented nature photographer, Daniel discovered his love for capturing the beauty of the animal world while volunteering as an officer from 2019 to 2022 at EwA, which he wholeheartedly supported. His extensive contributions of photos to the organization and to the nature enthusiast platform iNaturalist reflected his commitment to raising awareness and inspiring change.

Daniel’s zest for life and unwavering principles touched all who knew him, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and inspiring change in the face of the ecological crisis and climate change.

As we mourn the loss of our dear friend, let us carry forward Daniel’s passion for nature and his commitment to making a difference in the world. May his legacy continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Daniel.

Read more about Daniel, and please share your memories and tributes [Tributes to Daniel].

'Our interactions with each other, the Environment, and especially with Nature, should be driven by ethics and fairness. Subsequently, it will lead to more efficient and widely spread conservation efforts that will achieve true sustainability' –Dan (...) ➔

“I have always been a Nature and Wildlife enthusiast, and traveled to few parts of the world to observe, enjoy and disconnect. Until I met Claire, I didn’t really have a greater purpose, neither did I take the time to think these experiences through and take it to another Awareness level.

Early 2017, Claire and I volunteered for a wildlife conservation veterinary project in Sumatra (Indonesia). During our trip, we had numerous eye-opening discussions about human activities and behavior that negatively impact us, Life, the Environment, and long-term sustainability. As consumers and travelers, we don’t always think about the consequences of our actions (or lack of) on the Environment. It became obvious to me that Ethics are needed, and that these Ethics need to be spread and taught efficiently.

Raising awareness and promoting ethics are an essential step if we hope to survive and thrive on this planet in harmony with ourselves and with the Environment. It is also becoming critical that we better understand, and participate in Nature and Wildlife conservation efforts the best we can.”

Back to ‘About Us’ »