Our Team
Rocío Lozano-Knowlton
Executive Director of MERITO Foundation Inc.
Rocío has a B. Sc. in Oceanography, a M. Sc. in Marine Resource Protection and extensive experience in the areas of ocean research, conservation, and sustainable tourism in USA, Mexico, Korea, Japan, and Scotland. Rocío adapted the MERITO program to southern California for NOAA in 2005 and directed it until 2013 when she co-founded the MERITO Foundation. She has reached over 10 million people through ocean conservation outreach projects, immersed over 15,000 students on Earth & ocean science and issues, and has raised the capacity of more than 300 teachers and 100 Marine Protected Areas practitioners in the areas of ocean science and resource protection in the past 12 years. She is an avid SCUBA diver, loves to see the world, and advocates tirelessly for an inclusive and diverse new generation of environmental activists.
Leslie Magaña
Environmental Education & Community Outreach Specialist
Leslie Magaña is a native to Oxnard, CA, and attained a B.S in Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM) from the University of California State, Channel Islands. During her 4th year, she interned with the National Park Service at the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area as an Educational Program Interpreter, and there was when she discovered her passion to educate youth on environmental and conservation issues. Soon after, she worked with the Santa Clara River Conservancy, where she managed and expanded a new education and outreach program in collaboration with U.S Fish and Wildlife. By working primarily with underserved and multicultural youth, Leslie has seen firsthand the importance of being a local, bilingual Latina whom students can relate to. Outside of work, Leslie enjoys spending time with family, going whale watching, riding her bike, and visiting the beach any chance she gets. She constantly thanks her parents for choosing to migrate to Oxnard from Mexico in appreciation of her community and its natural environment (especially the weather!). Being a part of the low percentage of science-educated Latinas has driven Leslie to continue educating on and addressing the environmental injustices many communities face.
Meghan Woodbury
Community Science Specialist
Meghan Woodbury has been the Community Science Specialist at the MERITO Foundation since January 2026. She has B. Sc. in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado- Boulder, and worked for the Navy as a flight test engineer on the F/A-18 aircraft. More recently, she received a M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences from Oregon State University and was certified as a California Climate Steward. Her capstone project focused on the perceptions, behavior, and feelings of beach visitors to sick and dying marine mammals associated with harmful algal blooms in Southern California.
Sydney Kuchta
Ocean Education & Recreation Specialist
Sydney Kuchta is the Ocean Education and Recreation Specialist at the MERITO Foundation, inspiring students from all backgrounds to love the science of the world around them. Born and raised in Ventura, CA, holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and has 12 years of experience as a Girl Scout. Prior to working with the MERITO Foundation, Sydney worked at the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy on Catalina Island as a Naturalist, leading outdoor recreation activities such as island hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling in the kelp forests.
Fundraising Specialist
Roset Strong
With a degree in Business Communication/Marketing, Roset has an extensive background in Marketing Research, Communications, and PR. She has a great interest in working with non-profits and helping to improve the quality of life in our community through different programs.