Executive Team

‘Aulani Wilhelm

Chief Executive Officer

'Aulani is Kanaka ‘Ōiwi, born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands. She brings to Nia Tero decades of experience collaborating with Indigenous communities, bridging culture, community, and science to drive innovations in ocean policy and conservation. After joining Nia Tero in 2023 as our Chief Strategy & External Relations Officer, the Nia Tero Board of Directors unanimously supported the appointment of ‘Aulani as our next CEO, beginning January 1, 2025, following an international executive succession process.

‘Aulani previously served as the Assistant Director for Ocean Conservation, Climate and Equity at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and as Senior Vice President for Oceans at Conservation International, where she co-led the Blue Nature Alliance, a global partnership to catalyze the conservation of 18 million km2 of ocean.

‘Aulani has played a pivotal role in shaping the emerging field of large-scale ocean conservation, leading the establishment of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and World Heritage Site in Hawai’i. She is also the founder of Big Ocean, a network of the world’s largest marine managed areas. Prior, she was director of ocean initiatives for NOAA’s Office of Marine Sanctuaries, and a social innovation fellow at Stanford University. ‘Aulani is a Mellon Distinguished Scholar at Arizona State University’s Center for Imagination at the Borderlands. She holds an MS degree from Stanford University and a BA degree from the University of Southern California. ‘Aulani is based out of Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Chris Filardi

Chief Research Officer

Dr. Chris Filardi is a research scientist by training who brings to Nia Tero over 30 years’ experience building grassroots partnerships alongside Indigenous Peoples who sustain thriving homelands and waters. Before overseeing Nia Tero’s programs globally, Chris established Pacific Programs at the American Museum of Natural History – a regional network of research and area-based conservation initiatives – and directed and grew that effort across the tropical Pacific for over a decade.

He has worked with Round River Conservation Studies, Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, and the Wildlife Conservation Society on fostering Indigenous-led biodiversity science and Indigenous Peoples’ care for collectively-held territory in area-based conservation efforts.

Lauren Guzauskas

Interim Chief External Affairs Officer

Lauren is a non-profit leader with 20 years of experience across multiple fields with an unwavering focus on equity, access, and empowerment. She leads Nia Tero’s development and external affairs efforts.

Prior to Nia Tero, Lauren managed a broad scope of fundraising initiatives for The Nature Conservancy to help solve local and global conservation challenges on land and at sea, helping them achieve their record-breaking global campaign. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Burke Museum Association and the Fabian’s Fund. Lauren holds a Master in Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from University of Minnesota.

Margarita Mora

Chief Program Officer

Margarita Mora is the Chief Programs Officer at Nia Tero, where she has played a pivotal role since the organization’s inception by shaping its approach to building partnerships with Indigenous Peoples around the globe. She has drawn from the lessons and experiences of her extensive career to shape Nia Tero’s mission.

With over 20 years of experience, Margarita has dedicated herself to co-creating and implementing strategies that foster equitable relationships between Indigenous Peoples, local communities, rural farmers, and environmental organizations in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. She has extensive experience in grantmaking to strengthen the governance structures of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Additionally, Margarita has designed and implemented benefit-sharing approaches that ensure the equitable distribution of resources and benefits derived from environmental conservation efforts.

Margarita is an alumna of the Mulago Foundation's Conservation Fellowship, the MIT Media Lab's Director’s Fellowship, and the Heinrich Böll Stiftung.

Jessica Schroeder

Chief Administrative Officer

Jessica Schroeder began her career in nonprofit administration in 2007, when she joined the staff of Town Hall Seattle. She worked in a variety of capacities there, including event production, project management, and operations management. In 2017, she became Director of Finance and Operations at On the Boards. As part of the Executive Leadership team, Jessica was responsible for all of the organization’s daily business activities, including financial management, strategic planning, facility management, human resources, and more.

Jessica also volunteers with the Seattle nonprofit Bushwick Northwest and enjoys dancing, teaching Gyrotonic, hiking, biking, reading, and playing with her adorable dog Gus.