Board of Directors
Marie-Thérèse Mrusczok
Founder & President
Marie has a specialization in killer whale conservation, and has worked in protecting orcas in the Pacific Northwest, in Scotland, and since 2014 in Iceland year round. She is a strong advocate of non-invasive research and works part-time for the West Iceland Nature Research Centre.
Menja von Schmalensee
Co-Founder & Vice President
Menja is a biologist with a specialization in behavioural ecology, and is actively involved in animal conservation, particularly in protecting wild mammals and birds in Iceland. She has been a section manager at the West Iceland Nature Research Centre since 2002.
Róbert Arnar Stefánsson
Co-Founder & Secretary
Róbert is a biologist and since 2001 the director of the West Iceland Nature Research Centre. He specializes in population ecology of mammals and birds, and has been involved in numerous research projects, as well as environmental protection and animal rescue since 1996.
María Björk Gunnarsdóttir
Co-Founder & Treasurer
María has been very involved in cetacean conservation in Iceland since 2010, and in establishing the IceWhale’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Whale Watching. She wrote her Master thesis on Icelander’s attitudes towards whaling, and has lead workshops on conservation issues.
Advisors & Volunteers
Gísli Ólafsson
Strategic Advisor, Captain
Gísli is the owner and manager of Láki Tours whale watching. He has supported our work since day one, and provides us with the opportunity to collect data from the Láki whale watching boats year round. His advice in management is always appreciated.
Stefan Wrabetz
Field Assistant, Translator
Stefan is a translator and interpreter who has worked for the Council of the EU in Brussels. Specializing in science and technology subject matter, his working languages are German, English and French, though he also has a solid grasp on Spanish, Japanese and Dutch.
Sara Rodríguez Ramallo
Orca Adoption Coordinator
Sara is a marine biologist with experience in several research and conservation projects on beaked whales, pilot whales, angel sharks, and eel. She likes to share her passion for conservation and is the coordinator of our orca adoption program.
Renée Blankenstein
Research & Field Assistant
After writing her master’s thesis about sustainable whale watching in Iceland, Renée is now working as a tour guide for Láki Tours. She assists us with photo-ID work and is helping with onboard education and collection of photo-ID images during whale watching tours.
Sandrine Pantel
Outreach Assistant, Translator
Sandrine is a freelance translator, with the working languages French, English, and German. She is regularly translating for various organizations fighting against whale and dolphin captivity and whaling. She is helping with onboard education, and is an avid blogger as well.
Alexa Kershaw
Research & Field Assistant
Alexa is an ecologist and has worked as a researcher and guide worldwide. She is passionate about conservation and combines cetacean research with her love of guiding. She has spent the last 14 winters in Iceland and contributes to our onboard data collection.
Shilpa Shah
Outreach Assistant, Strategist
Shilpa is a facilitator and strategist from London. She works with change-makers in social and ecological justice organisations to build leadership and healthy group working. Her work is inspired by orca societal values, such as creative play and female leadership.
A big THANK YOU also to our past volunteers Lionel Davoust, Joséphine Mayr, George Cowan, Karl O’Neill, Emily Widdecombe, and Steve Truluck.