Joel Johnson

Raising our young family in the Sarasota area, my wife Bri and I feel a deep responsibility to protect the natural spaces our two-year-old is growing up in. Spending time together on the water, exploring the coast, and fishing our local waterways is what reminds me why this work matters and why I want to do my part to preserve it for their future

Joel joined the board in 2026, but has been involved since 2023 . He is Director of Planning and Head of Signature Services at FourThought Private Wealth.

Big Waters Staff

Christine Johnson

President

PROGRAMS

Justin Smith

Justin Smith

Chief Program Officer

Brooke Langston

Brooke Langston

Director of Land Protection

Ray Vinson

Ray Vinson

Land Stewardship Manager 

Esmeralda Figueras

Esmeralda Figueras

Land Steward

Connie Brown

Connie Brown

Director of Community Engagement

Sarah Denison Williams

Sarah Denison Williams

Community Education Manager

Development

Shalla Ashworth

Shalla Ashworth

Director of Philanthropy

Dawn Lansing

Dawn Lansing

Development Officer

Molly Rabin

Molly Rabin

Database and Donor Stewardship Administrator

Marketing

Tianna Boswell-Porter

Tianna Boswell-Porter

Director of Marketing and Events

Nilyana Rodriguez

Nilyana Rodriguez

Digital Content & Design Specialist

Angelena Papazian

Angelena Papazian

Events Coordinator

Critical Mission Support

Pam Brownell

Pam Brownell

Chief of Staff

Robyn Powell

Robyn Powell

Controller

Michael Greatchus

Michael Greatchus

Executive Assistant

Sam Peterson

Sam Peterson

Bay Preserve Site Manager