Our Staff
Ava Bower
Counselor, Bay Discovery Camp
We are excited to welcome Ava Bower back for her fourth summer with Bay Discovery Camp! Ava recently completed her freshman year at St. Mary's College of Maryland, where she is pursuing a degree in Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. On campus, she is a member of the college's rugby team and a proud fan of St. Mary's beloved terrapin, Izzy. Ava also brings valuable leadership experience as a Student Leader for the Environmental Youth Summit with ShoreRivers, and we're thrilled to have her return for another summer!
Liza Brocker
Director of Public Programs
A graduate of Santa Clara University and UC Santa Cruz, Liza has worked for multiple high-profile corporations including Ariat International, McMullen Advertising, PRx, NextLink, Silicon Planet, and LonMark International. Wanting to travel less, she moved from California to the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, became a small business owner, and joined Radcliffe Creek School as the Development Director before joining Sultana over 10 years ago. Liza and her husband( and sometimes two 20-something children) live in Chestertown.
Chris Cerino
Vice President
With a master’s in teaching Secondary History from the University of Virginia, Chris joined SEF in 2002 shortly after SULTANA’'s launch. His rich background in environmental education, development, and local knowledge allow him to create and implement award-winning educational programs across the organization. An outdoorsman and singer-songwriter, Chris’ devotion to the Eastern Shore is hard to find among many. Chris lives in Chestertown with his wife, two children, and lovable Labrador.
Sicily DiDomenico
Summer Paddling Staff
Sicily hails from Haverhill, Massachusetts. Since 2022, she sailed on the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey as a Deckhand/Engineer and has decided to pursue a degree in environmental and natural resource conservation at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School in Wanakena, NY. In her free time, Sicily enjoys crafts, cooking, and disc golf occasionally.
Jackie Doerr
Director of Science Programs
Hailing from Maryland’s Western Shore, Jackie is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Climate Change. She began her work with SEF as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Member (2019–2020) and now serves as Director of Science Programs. In her role, she coordinates programs at the Holt Center and Lawrence Preserve, oversees Sultana’s MWEE programs, and directs Bay Discovery Camp. She serves on the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Advisory Council, including its Green Schools and Conference Committees. Jackie lives in Chestertown with her dog, Jack, and enjoys exploring new hiking trails with him.
Josef Dolde
Development Associate
An Eastern Shore native, Joe Dolde joined the SEF team in 2024. After attending Lehigh University Josef has found various ways to support and interact with the deep history that courses through the region. In his free time, you can find Josef playing instruments, hiking, stargazing, or racing sailboats.
Spencer Donahower
Deckhand/Educator
A deepwater man since adolescence, Donnie's career began on the Great Lakes aboard the lime juicers Pathfinder and Playfair. Coming south of the 49th Donnie spent three years working on the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Donnie's excited to get back to squaresails and we are excited for him to join the crew of the schooner SULTANA
Kate Dumhart
Captain, Schooner SULTANA
Kate started at SEF in 2019 as the mate on the schooner SULTANA. A Salisbury University graduate with a degree in Biology, Kate has worked in environmental education on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. Returning to her home state, she gained sailing experience as Mate and Relief Captain aboard the skipjack DEE OF ST. MARY’S. As Captain, Kate continues to find joy in the combination of sailing, history, ecology, and education in an outdoor setting
Aiden Dunlap
Paddling Program Summer Counselor
Aiden is a Chestertown, Maryland native and currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history. Aiden has spent much of his life on the water and throughout the Chesapeake watershed fishing, camping, and exploring along with a semester as a member of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester program at The Gunston School in Centreville, MD. He is thrilled to share his passion for the outdoors and knowledge with others!
Marcus Goldman
Paddling Director
Marcus moved to Maryland's Eastern Shore in 2015 from Hell's Kitchen, NYC. Marcus holds a Bachelors in teaching from Indiana University and a Masters in Environmental Science from Slippery Rock University. He has worked at outdoor centers in the Catskill and Berkshire Mountains, as well as North Carolina and around Kent County, MD. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys training and competing in triathlons, hucking frisbees and exploring various rivers on the Chesapeake Bay.
Zack Goss
Paddling Program Assistant
Raised on the Eastern Shore, Zack has spent most of his life around the Chesapeake Bay. In his senior year at The Gunston School, Zack participated in the school’s Chesapeake Watershed Semester, deepening his understanding of the Chesapeake and its environment. With five years of experience in marine construction, he is skilled in navigating the Bay and its tributaries. Zack is also an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending his free time outdoors.
Remoire Greene
Second Mate
Remi is returning to SEF and the schooner SULTANA for a second season. This time as Second Mate. Hailing from Delaware, Remi has previously worked for Kalamar Nyckle.
Eleanor Jaminet
Deckhand/Educator
A native of Kentucky, Eleanor is returning to the schooner SULTANA for a second season of fun. An avid equestrian, Eleanor is excited to delve deeper into antiquated means of transportation.
Francesca Johnson
Mate
Educated at the University of Plymouth and the University of Alaska Southeast, Francesca brings a background in Marine Biology to this leadership role. Francesca has sailed extensively on the Corwith Cramer and Robert Seamans with the Sea Education Association. We’re excited to have Francesca spend a season with us sailing the length of Chesapeake Bay on the schooner SULTANA.
Mariana Lesher
Chief Financial Officer
Mariana joined SEF in November 2021 after more than 20 years in healthcare data analytics. A graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of Baltimore, she honed her nonprofit financial skills as an active board member for several Eastern Shore organizations. Mariana grew up sailing on the upper Chesapeake Bay, and now lives in Easton with her family. When she’s not at her desk, Mariana can be found handling dock lines for the schooner SULTANA, racing on the log canoe JAY DEE, cruising on her sailboat, and generally enjoying the Eastern Shore.
Meghan Lewton
Paddling Program Assistant
Meghan holds a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech, with double minors in Biological Sciences and Humanities, Science, & Environment, and recently obtained a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Penn State. She currently works part time at Washington College as a Junior Geospatial Analyst. During her time at Virginia Tech, Meghan was involved in jaguar research, held leadership roles in several clubs, and volunteered internationally. Since graduating, she has worked across the U.S. in various wildlife roles with The Great Basin Institute, the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, and the Iowa DNR. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, painting, and exploring the great outdoors.
Kathy McAllister
Finance Associate
kmcallister@sultanaeducation.org
Kathy has been with SEF since shortly after its founding. She holds a degree in outdoor recreation and business from Frostburg State University, and a Juris Doctorate from the George Mason University School of Law. Following law school, McAllister decided to move to the Eastern Shore to raise her family, and prior to SEF worked for the Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company in Chestertown.
Drew McMullen
President, Founder
dmcmullen@sultanaeducation.org
A co-founder of the organization, Drew McMullen has been President of the Sultana Education Foundation since 2001. A graduate of St. Paul’s School, Amherst College, and Johns Hopkins University, McMullen is a recognized leader in the field of maritime nonprofit management. Prior to working for SEF, McMullen was a member of Deutsche Bank’s International Investment Advisory division, and worked for H.G. Wellington Capital Management, both in New York City. Drew lives in Chestertown with his wife, two children, and very energetic dog.
John Mann
Lawrence Wetlands Preserve Manager
John has a long history with SEF beginning with 2007’s Captain John Smith Four Hundred Project, a 121-day retracing of Captain John Smith’s 1608 Chesapeake expedition. John became the first person in the US to complete both the Appalachian Trail and paddle the full extent of Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. In his previous role as director of paddling programs, John played a central role in the initial development of SEF’s paddle programs. John lives with his wife and two children just outside of Chestertown.
Forrest Richards
Senior Captain, Schooner SULTANA
frichards@sultanaeducation.org
Forrest's career on the water spans over 20 years. He has worked for SEF multiple times, beginning as a deckhand in 2005, returning as crew on SEF’s reenactment of John Smith’s voyage in 2008, and again as Mate in 2012. He has extensive experience sailing on both modern and historic vessels. His work has taken him all over the world including a year in South-East Asia. Forrest has previously served as Captain of the schooners WILLIAM H ALBURY, the SPIRIT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, and most recently the schooners WOODWIND, and WOODWIND II, based in Annapolis, where he served for three years. Captain Richards graduated from The Florida State University and lives in Chestertown with his wife Annie, the Chester River Riverkeeper, and their sons Archie and Nat.
Emily Spencer
Environmental Educator
Emily holds a degree in Biology and Animal Behavior from Towson University and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Towson University. She brings hands-on experience from her internship at Plumpton Park Zoo, where she cared for animals and assisted with educational summer camps, and her role as a naturalist with the Maryland Park Service at Sandy Point State Park. A Kent County native, Emily grew up exploring the Chesapeake Bay and even participated in Sultana’s programs as a child. She is thrilled to share her passion for the natural world in her role and inspire others to appreciate the wonders of the environment.
Jasmine Sun
Assistant Director of Science Programs
Maryland native, Jasmine Sun, joins SEF from Gaithersburg, and holds a degree in Environmental Science from University of Maryland Baltimore County. Jasmine previously honed her knowledge and expertise in outdoor education and animal husbandry while working for Cape Henlopen State Park as their Nature Center's Intern Assistant, and with the DuPont Nature Center as an Environmental Education and Outreach Assistant. Outside of SEF, Jasmine's passion for education extends to teaching Martial Arts, and has 20+ years of karate experience.
Jacob Swane
Summer Paddling Staff
Sultana is excited to have Jacob Swane join our paddling staff for the summer of 2026. Swane, a graduate of Vermont State University, is a veteran outdoor educator with over a decade of experience leading youth paddling trips on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Aemilia Tunnessen
Cook/Deckhand/Educator
Hailing from Washington DC and a Graduate of Oberlin College, is joining the crew of the schooner SULTANA as our summer cook and transitioning to deckhand educator for the fall.
Ren Zollinger
Schooner Sultana Education Coordinator
A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Ren spent part of her education in the Antipidees. Prior to joining SEF and the schooner SULTANA Ren has spent time as Crew on the Hudson River sloop Clearwater. Ren is also an ACA Level 11 Kayak Instructor.