Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs Promotes Alyssa Irizarry to Executive Director

December 17, 2018

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs (Bow Seat) is thrilled to announce the promotion of Alyssa Irizarry to Executive Director. In her new role, Irizarry will guide the organization’s strategic development and success through innovative programming, partnerships, and outreach initiatives.

In her previous positions as Program Manager from 2016-2017 and Program Director from 2017-2018, Irizarry developed and facilitated programming that encourages young people to creatively connect with the natural world and to be agents of positive change. She served multiple and diverse roles as Bow Seat’s only full-time employee: project coordinator, educator, social media manager, graphic designer, writer, event manager, art curator, and more.

Through strategic outreach and partnerships, Irizarry increased the number of students engaged in Bow Seat’s programs and expanded the organization’s touchpoints with them. She helped to increase the number of program participants by more than 31%, attracting teens from 78 countries and all 50 U.S. states. She expanded Bow Seat’s student exhibition calendar from five shows in 2016 to 27 in 2017 and 2018, reaching nearly 50,000 individuals. Irizarry also delivered educational programming to larger numbers of youth by increasing Bow Seat’s presence in classrooms, workshops, and at community events.

“Alyssa is a powerhouse of creativity and organization, and she has led Bow Seat to new heights,” said Founder and President Linda Cabot. “She has an authentic passion for creating change, working with students, and ocean conservation. The nonprofit world is fortunate to have people like Alyssa guiding us forward.”

A lifelong ocean-lover with nearly ten years of experience in the environmental education field, Irizarry is passionate about connecting youth to marine ecosystems and empowering them to find their role in protecting these critical resources. As a practicing artist, she is particularly interested in using creative media to inspire environmental stewardship.

“I am extremely lucky to be a part of a woman-run organization that empowers me to lead, create, and elevate, and to have the opportunity to do what I love every day,” said Irizarry. “While I am passionate about working with and inspiring young people to be active, connected, and creative participants in their own communities and environments, it is humbling to know that my work is so much bigger than myself.”

Irizarry is a graduate of Tufts University with degrees in Art History and Environmental Studies.

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About Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs: Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit that works to activate the next wave of ocean leaders through the arts, science, and advocacy. Visit bowseat.org for more information about Bow Seat’s programs, resources, and opportunities.