Team WAVE

Meet Team WAVE

Executive Director
859-815-1404

Tricia (she/her) 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 (she/her) 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 the excited about conservation. In her free time, Katie loves to read Agatha Christie novels and go hiking.

Katie Campbell (she/her)

Director of Education
859-815-1442

Kristen Woods (she/her)

Director of Conservation and Community Engagement
859-815-1424

Kristen (she/her) has spent more than ten 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 (she/her) 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 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 a mission of inspiring and fostering environmental stewards of aquatic life through education, conservation, and volunteerism.

Rachel Morgan (she/her)

Director of Operations
859-815-1441

Harley Archer (she/her)
Conservation Education Manager
859-815-1422

Harley (she/her) is a Conservation Education Manager of outreach programs and assisting with onsite programs like Gills Club. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Oceanography from Miami University. Harley has worked as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern in Naples, Florida, and a Marine Science Camp Counselor in Sanibel, Florida. Her first experience with WAVE was as a camper, and she decided to come back as a Conservation Education intern in 2019. She then came on to WAVE part-time before transitioning to full-time in November 2022. Harley loves seeing the faces of children light up during outreach programs after meeting an ambassador animal. She hopes to inspire the next generation of conservationists with both the outreach programs and Gills Club. When she’s not at work, Harley loves traveling with her husband, creeking and discovering new underwater worlds with her new scuba certificatio

Kristen (She/Her) is a Conservation Education Coordinator 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 two dogs, Pepper and Ginny, and her cat, Kravitz.

Kristen Schmitz (she/her)
Conservation Education Manager
859-815-1422

Sabrina Calhoun (they/she)
Volunteer Manager
859-815-1400 x8588

Sabrina (they/she) 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 organisation celebrates volunteerism and community conservation efforts. In their free time, Sabrina enjoys spending time with friends and being active.

Autumn (she/her) is the Resource Development & Communications Manager at the WAVE Foundation. She graduated with a Bachelors in Communication Studies from Northern Kentucky University in 2020. Prior to joining Team WAVE, Autumn worked at her alma mater as Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, raising money for scholarships and higher education programs! WAVE is truly a dream job for her and she’s excited to start meeting all the volunteers, donors, and aquarium staff that make our mission possible. Outside of work, you can find Autumn walking her dachshund Rusty, tending to her houseplants, crafting, playing Dungeons & Dragons, or spending time with friends and family!

Autumn Segrest (she/her)
Resource Development & Communications Manager 859-815-1465

Julie Uffman
Operations Manager
859-815-1418

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 (she/her) is a Conservation Educator. She has a background in biology and earned her Associate of Science from Cincinnati State. Katie joined team WAVE as a Conservation Education Intern in 2023 and enjoyed it so much that she stayed. Katie loves getting kids excited about the natural world and inspiring their curiosity on programs because experiences like that can change the course of someone’s life. In her free time she enjoys hiking, writing, and spending time with her houseplants and dog, Koda.

Katie Woodell (she/her)
Conservation Educator

Sophia Spalla (she/her)
Conservation Educator

Sophia (She/Her) 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, Sophia was a WAVE Summer Camp Counselor from 2021-2024. Sophia has always enjoyed working with children! With an innate curiosity and passion for the outdoors, in her free time, she enjoys birding, hiking, photography, and even snorkeling given the chance. Sophia also loves nature and wildlife; seeing children 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. All of this has driven her passion for conservation education. Sophia was thrilled to begin her career with the WAVE Foundation in August 2024. Just for fun, you might find her listening to music, painting, or playing video games.

Team WAVE

Meet Team WAVE

Katie Campbell (she/her)

Erin Huber

Eli Ramsour

Ren Mathy

Daphne Schaaf

Brandon Morrow

Andrew Wilson