Our People

Rose Huizenga has been living in paradise for almost 10 years and knows the island inside out. Before she moved to Indonesia she lived in the Netherlands where she ran her own marketing company and worked for multiple volunteer organizations.

Rose is one of the founders of Gili Shark Conservation and the creator of Coral Catch. She is a passionate conservationist, writer, scuba dive instructor, boutique hotel owner, and proud mother of two young girls

Jane, from Cornwall, England, developed a love for the ocean through spending her childhood on the beach. During surfing trips all over the world, she discovered scuba diving and coral restoration, leading her to become a PADI Instructor. Jane worked for 18 months on a remote island off Borneo, living in a tent while restoring coral reefs and engaging in turtle conservation. She holds a Natural Sciences degree from Durham University and has over 6 years of professional experience from JP Morgan Chase and a hedge fund in London, which she leverages to support marine conservation projects’ financial sustainability.

Kinah is a dedicated marine conservation enthusiast. Hailing from Bogor a city nestled close to the mountains Kinah’s heart always belongs to the sea. Armed with a Bachelor’s in Marine Science from Diponegoro University and PADI Instructor, Kinah combines a passion for marine science with a commitment to sustainability. Kinah believes that we can protect our seas together, allowing everyone to experience many magical moments underwater.

Cenna is a marine science graduate from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Growing up in a bustling metropolis, her insatiable curiosity led her to immerse herself in the world of marine life.  Cenna’s interests led her to join a diving club focused on coral reef monitoring, marine pharmacology, and seagrass conservation. She attained open water and scientific diver certifications during her academic journey and was awarded the Coral Catch Scholarship in 2022. Inspired by her experiences, she aims to empower women in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries as the Coral Catch Program Manager, alongside her passion for underwater photography and ocean advocacy on social media.

Wika is an ex-journalist and (still!) a passionate writer from Jakarta, Indonesia. She has always been on the move since she was little – born in Surabaya, moved to Jakarta, studied in Depok, West Java, and Den Haag, The Netherlands, lived in Bali, and ended up on this beautiful island, Gili Air. Her craving for adventure, learning new things, and meeting new people always get her everywhere.

Tania has always loved animals and being in the water, which naturally led her to fall in love with the ocean. She dreamed of becoming a marine biologist but kept it to herself for years because it felt unrealistic. It changed after she learned marine bio-ecology and conservation in university, her interest (especially in sharks and rays) grew stronger, and this passion led her to an opportunity to conduct elasmobranch research on one of Indonesia’s most remote islands.