OUR FOUNDER

Sea Hugger was founded in 2018 by Shell Cleave, an ocean enthusiast who spent years watching plastic accumulate under the water, on the surface and along the shorelines she loved. After a successful tech career and raising three daughters with her husband, Shell made the decision to shut down her business and dedicate herself fully to the ocean. She built Sea Hugger from the ground up with passion, tenacity and an unwavering belief that people could be moved to protect what they love.

Shell passed away in December 2025, and her loss is felt deeply by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her or working alongside her. She gave Sea Hugger its heart, its commitment to education, its love of community and its refusal to look away from hard problems.

Her vision is not something we inherited. It is something we carry. Every beach cleanup, every classroom visit, every piece of plastic pulled from the water is a continuation of what she started. We are all working to keep that alive, for the health of our oceans, our communities and the planet she fought so hard to protect.

Core Team

**Claire Lacy, Program Coordinator**
Claire is an advocate for the natural world and has spent most of her professional career as a wildlife biologist, working to preserve critical habitat and endangered species throughout California. This field has alerted her to the importance of listening to the rhythms of the seasons and minimizing our overall footprint. Together with Sea Hugger, she hopes to work within the community to lessen our dependence on plastics and educate the next generation about ways to live in harmony with all living creatures. She lives with her family in Montara, CA and spends her time gardening, exploring and chasing hot pink sunsets.

**Claire Jepsen, Creative Marketing Director**
San Clemente’s resident surfer girl with a passion for protecting our planet! With three years of experience working with environmental non-profits and an extensive background in digital marketing, Claire brings a wave of expertise and enthusiasm to every project. Catch her riding the waves or crafting killer campaigns to make a splash in the world!

And of course, we wouldn’t be Sea Hugger without our community of volunteers!

“Earth is an ocean planet. We cannot have a healthy planet, without healthy oceans. Will you join us?”

— Shell Cleave | Founder

volunteer!

Officers

David Casentini, a Bay Area native, has lived in Half Moon Bay since 1988. After graduating from San Francisco State University, David began his career in 1981 with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. After holding various customer service positions a… — David Casentini, a Bay Area native, has lived in Half Moon Bay since 1988. After graduating from San Francisco State University, David began his career in 1981 with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. After holding various customer service positions at the utility, he spent most of his career there in various energy efficiency management positions before transferring to the utility’s deregulated utility company in the early 2000’s. After four years working as an energy efficiency consultant, David joined his wife’s energy efficiency consulting company and eventually they ventured off with two other partners to build their own energy efficiency consulting firm, Resource Solutions Group. After they successfully grew and sold the company, David left his career behind him in 2014 and became a stay-at-home dad. At this time David also joined the board of the Cabrillo Education Foundation and focused his remaining volunteer time on student and community events and activities.

David and Lauren have two grown children, and two teenage girls. In addition, they have four grandchildren. David and his family split their time between Half Moon Bay and Truckee and love and appreciate the beauty of both. David enjoys writing, singing and playing the guitar, running, tennis and mountain biking.

Valerie Dubois is our Secretary and leader of our Plastic Free Coastside initiative. She has lived on the coast for over 25 years and is a passionate environmental activist dedicated to creating a sustainable future. An engineer by training, Valerie spent the last 27 years working in tech, and is now applying that experience directly to efforts that support people and the planet. Valerie and her husband Tim have two boys, both now young adults. She enjoys kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, camping, dancing, theater. Valerie is also a licensed California Professional Fiduciary.

Karin Odaz is retired from a career in retail finance, and has been volunteering for Sea Hugger since fall of 2021. She has lived in El Granada for 28 years, and raised two daughters on the Coast. She has always been passionate about protecting our beautiful natural habitat, the ocean, and all of the precious creatures that live in the water. When not volunteering for Sea Hugger, she volunteers for other organizations caring for animals and delivering meals to seniors. She also enjoys traveling, golf, yoga, hiking, and biking.

Board Members

Jeremy Brown is the Founder of Social Impact World, a global community of social impact leaders. He also hosts the Behind the Impact podcast where he explores how companies use their people, products, and capital for good. With a decade of experience in the tech industry and almost just as much time in social impact, Jeremy has spent most of his career helping startups grow while encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Ambassadors

Emma Stone

Jason, Joana, Jade, & Arrow Stark

Matais Laranjinha

Press