Kirsten Hutchings - Co-Founder
Kirsten, a Florida native, has always been connected to her environment, sparking an early interest in becoming an environmentalist. While that goal would come to fruition two decades later, her journey first took her into the military and then the federal government for the past 20 years focusing on policy analysis. In the subsequent years she embraced a new chapter focused on marine conservation and sustainable urban planning. This passion ultimately led to the founding of the Blue Urban Project, where she continues her commitment to preserving both sustainable urban planning and marine ecosystems in coastal cities.
Hobbies
Scuba diving, traveling, reading, and spending time with her fur kids.
Education
University of South Florida, MS, Sustainable Energy
Eckerd College, BA, Environmental Studies and Political Science
Raymond Salden - Co-Founder
Raymond is a Navy veteran, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field. Transitioning to a career in environmentalism driven by a passion for water conservation, he is dedicated to addressing the climate crisis by educating the public on sustainable coastal urban development.
Hobbies
As a former Search and Dive Rescue officer, he developed a passion for scuba diving and all things water. Raymond also enjoys bicycling, recreational sailing and sustainable travel.
Education
Raymond has a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in Global Sustainability with an emphasis on water resource conservation.
Chelsi Chavez - Grants & Program Manager
Chelsi has always been deeply passionate about the interconnectedness between humans and their environment. Her mission is to inspire organizations of all kinds to incorporate sustainability as a strategic, advantageous, and profitable tool. With her experience as an analyst for a government contractor and her educational background, Chelsi specializes in budget and policy analysis, as well as market research.
Hobbies
In her free time, Chelsi enjoys doing arts and crafts, cooking, and relaxing outside with a good book.
Education
University of South Florida, MA, Sustainable Business
University of South Florida, BA., Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Dr. Jennifer Cudney - Policy Advisor (Volunteer)
Jennifer has worked in federal fisheries management since 2011, when she was honored to be selected as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow and matched with the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division of NOAA Fisheries. Jennifer has since specialized in the policy and domestic management of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (sharks, tuna, swordfish and billfish). Between multiple degrees and employment, Jennifer has completed over 10 years of biological field work on many species and topics, including sea turtle conservation, bat hibernation patterns, fire ecology, bird conservation, freshwater gamefish (yellow perch, walleye, sauger), diadromous fish passage and migration, marine fisheries, and shark migration.
Hobbies
Cycling, group improvisational bellydance, gardening, dog mom, and traveling.
Education
East Carolina University, PhD, Coastal Resources Management
East Carolina University, MS, Biology
Ohio Northern University, BS, Environmental Studies & Biology
Braxton Barajas - Intern
Braxton aspires to use her education and experience to be of service and contribute to any given scenario whilst being able to recognize the tools best suited for the specificities of any issue; whether sociocultural, political, or environmental.
Hobbies
Other than pursuing the various titillating anthropological subfields, Braxton also enjoys learning new languages and has been building her dive log to one day become a scuba instructor. Whether it be cave-exploration, joining a good cause, or watching documentaries, she is eager to explore life's possibilities.
Education
Currently earning her BA in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida.
Certified by the Florida Public Archaeology Network as a Heritage Monitoring Scout.
