Kim McIntyre, Executive Director
Kim McIntyre has been the Executive Director of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership since 2017. She has been working at the intersection of ocean conservation, climate change, policy, and sustainability for more than 20 years, building cross-sector coalitions with governments, non-profits, academia, and industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, an environmental law degree from University of Hawaii, and a B.S. in marine biology from University of Miami. She lives in La Jolla, CA with her husband and two daughters.
Ayana Melvan, Director of Conservation Action
Ayana Melvan is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Director of Conservation Action. Ayana has led work with a racial equity lens using the collective impact approach locally and nationally for more than a decade. She has worked across sectors to address social, environmental, and ocean justice especially in the fields of youth development, aquariums, and zoos. She was one of the founders and co-chairs of the ACP Equity Work Group. Ayana graduated cumlaude from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst with a B.A. in communications with a film certification. When Ayana isn’t at work she’s enjoying the beautiful shoreline of Rhode Island at Misquamicut Beach with her family during all seasons!
Bianca Santos, Aquarium Conservation Communications Coordinator
Bianca Santos is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Aquarium Conservation Communications Coordinator. Bianca is responsible for advancing the strategic development and implementation of internal and external communications for ACP. Bianca first started with ACP as our Inaugural Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Fellow back in 2022. During her fellowship, Bianca has led multiple ACP campaigns including our Vote For The Ocean campaign, and most recently our No Time to Waste Campaign in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Bianca has also worked with ACP members on helping them create petitions and targeted actions, such as one for the National Aquarium for the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act. She received her B.S. in environmental science from Stevenson University and is a certified AAUS scientific diver and PADI divemaster. Bianca’s background is in ecosystem management and conservation, fisheries, and marine science education and communication. When Bianca’s not at work, you can find her 40+ feet below the surface diving with the fish!
Mark Losavio, Conservation Policy Manager
Mark Losavio is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Conservation Policy Manager. Mark is responsible for advancing ACP's conservation policy goals and working closely with ACP members to develop strategies and opportunities for policy action. He has shared the science and stories of the world's favorite ocean places with an international audience and has engaged in diverse and sometimes unconventional communication experiences. This has evolved into a passion for communicating scientific topics to a broader audience and using that to build partnerships between communities, advocacy groups, and government representatives. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and a master’s in marine biology from Northeastern University. Currently living in the mermaid city of Norfolk Virginia, Mark is an avid diver and tries to make people laugh at the local comedy theater on the weekends.
Shelby O’Neil, Sustainable Business Operations Manager
Shelby O’Neil is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Sustainable Business Operations Manager. Shelby is responsible for advancing ACP's joint sustainable business commitments including eliminating single-use plastic in our operations, reaching climate neutrality, and feeding sustainable seafood to animals in our care. She has worked in the nonprofit and policy space to reduce millions of single-use plastic items in large-scale corporate operations since 2016. Shelby has also served as a National Geographic Young Explorer as well as a National Gold Award Girl Scout. Her focus in both organizations was to create and expand upon free marine education resources for school children. Shelby holds a B.S in Society & Environment from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Energy and Sustainability from Northwestern University. When Shelby is not at work, she loves to explore her home state of California with her beloved chihuahua Dolly.
Nikki Saccoccia, Membership and Administrative Coordinator
Nikki Saccoccia is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Membership and Administrative Coordinator. Nikki is responsible for ACP's membership database, supporting the coordination of member activities, and ensuring the smooth operation of administrative processes. With a background in program management, community engagement, and environmental education, Nikki is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between people and nature. Her career has included studying mercury levels in South African rivers, tracking African wildlife, mapping invasive species, and working with birds of prey. She has also designed and led marine and terrestrial environmental education programs and collaborated with health systems to transform nature preserves into spaces for healing and community well-being. Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Connecticut. Outside of work, Nikki finds joy in motherhood, honing her personalized "Nature Nik" naturalist skills, and creating art inspired by the natural world. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, son, two cats (Twig and Caper), and dog (Finch).
