👥 Board Directors & Officers
Earthwise Aware is a pro-bono/volunteer-based 501(c)(3) that we founded in early 2016, and have since then incorporated as a nonprofit in May 2017. We are very proud of its mission & vision and are working hard at developing it into a vibrant community. Thanks to a dedicated and growing group of supporters who want it to succeed, EwA is developing fast. We look forward to this journey, and invite you to join our effort!
☞ Claire O’Neill | President
EwA Board director & officer (United States)
Originally from France, Claire O’Neill lived in Canada during the 1990s before settling permanently in the United States. Trained as a scientist in mathematical statistics, probability, and artificial intelligence, Claire is also an accomplished field naturalist and wildlife conservationist. As the founder of Earthwise Aware (EwA), she is committed to fostering biodiversity conservation through ecological education, ethical science practices, and environmental leadership.
Claire co-chairs the Ethics Affinity Group of the U.S.-based Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS), where she leads efforts to promote ethics in participatory ecology and conservation science. She also serves as a co-organizer of the Greater Boston iNaturalist City Nature Challenge, co-chairs the Boston Biodiversity Consortium steering committee, and is actively involved in local conservation as a committee member for the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation and an advisor to Green & Open Somerville.
A passionate advocate for science democratization, Claire launched EwA’s Biodiversity & Climate Participatory Science program, connecting communities with local ecosystems through citizen science. Her initiatives provide hands-on learning and empower communities to engage in ecological research, focusing on species interactions, habitats, and urban ecosystem functions.
With a background that bridges scientific expertise, leadership, and conservation advocacy, Claire has built EwA into a thriving organization. Her vision and dedication continue to inspire and energize the EwA community, strengthening its impact and outreach.
Ultimately, we all aspire to make positive and responsible contributions while fully embracing life and its experiences. At EwA, we believe in celebrating the gift of nature responsibly every day, regardless of our location or activities. “Earthwise Aware —Because I Care!” has truly become my life motto, encapsulating my commitment to environmental stewardship and care.
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Past Board Members
☞ Sharan Bahra
2017-2024 EwA Board Vice-President & Director (United Kingdom)
Originally from the UK, Sharan was an operational change and people manager within a major bank until 2010. After a successful 15-year career, she seized the opportunity for voluntary redundancy and embarked on nine months of voluntary conservation work across multiple countries.
Upon her return, Sharan transitioned into self-employment as a consultant, restructuring her life to maintain her commitment to leading and supporting businesses through project management and transformational change. This shift also allowed her the flexibility to pursue her passion for volunteering and nature conservation ventures once her contracts concluded.
Sharan’s volunteer experiences span across Africa, Asia, and Australia, with even more plans for the future. Her dedication to professional excellence and environmental stewardship exemplifies her commitment to positively impacting both the corporate and conservation sectors.
“I have the best of both worlds and my enthusiasm for knowledge transfer, to learn and to share what I’ve learned, works in both fields.
Conservation efforts for me include finding out about good ventures, learning lessons from bad ones, widening my knowledge from fellow travelers, working with and understanding local communities and what they do to preserve their ecosystems and wildlife, and of course sharing my enthusiasm.
Claire and I met in Asia on a poorly run animal conservation site and it was our conversations in the main that grew my awareness that the ethics of conservation volunteering and travel need a lot more thoughts.
Over the years I’ve often been approached to share my experiences and about how I choose ethical organizations. Then when Claire asked me if I would be interested in collaborating on Earthwise Aware and working on a platform for furthering knowledge about conservation volunteering & traveling ethics (including my own), I simply jumped at the opportunity.”
☞ Jeffrey O’Neill
2017-2024 EwA Board Counsel, Secretary, and Director (United States)
Born in the US, Jeff’s life journey has taken him from Puerto Rico to France, instilling in him a deep appreciation for minimalism and environmental consciousness. He exemplifies the ethos of living lightly on the Earth, always mindful of his impact. Jeff firmly believes in taking personal responsibility for shaping one’s destiny, leading by example, and encouraging others to do what they believe is right and necessary. His unwavering support for EwA underscores his dedication to its mission and vision.
With a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and a Juris Doctorate, Jeff’s academic background is as diverse as his interests. During law school, he interned at Fair Vote and the National Voting Rights Institute, where he authored a groundbreaking law review article advocating for fairer voting procedures under the U.S. Constitution. Jeff’s passion for empowering individuals to vote correctly inspired him to found OpaVote in 2011, further demonstrating his commitment to democratic principles.
Jeff’s unique blend of technical and legal expertise enriches EwA’s development, making him an invaluable asset to the organization. Beyond supporting EwA’s mission, he brings invaluable knowledge and skills contributing to its growth and success.
☞ Daniel Onea | In memoriam
2019-2023 EwA Board Accountant (United States)
03/16/2024
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Daniel Onea, a cherished EwA community member and gifted nature photographer. Daniel’s journey was one of deep passion and unwavering commitment to our natural world, leaving behind a legacy of profound intellect and love for all living beings.
Many of you may remember Daniel from the early days of EwA. Daniel was known for his strong convictions and unwavering principles. He had a deep concern for the ethical relationship between humanity and nature. He ardently believed in the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change and the ecological crisis. As a talented nature photographer, Daniel discovered his love for capturing the beauty of the animal world while volunteering as an officer from 2019 to 2022 at EwA, which he wholeheartedly supported. His extensive contributions of photos to the organization and to the nature enthusiast platform iNaturalist reflected his commitment to raising awareness and inspiring change.
Daniel’s zest for life and unwavering principles touched all who knew him, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and inspiring change in the face of the ecological crisis and climate change.
As we mourn the loss of our dear friend, let us carry forward Daniel’s passion for nature and his commitment to making a difference in the world. May his legacy continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Daniel.
Read more about Daniel, and please share your memories and tributes [Tributes to Daniel].
“I have always been a Nature and Wildlife enthusiast, and traveled to few parts of the world to observe, enjoy and disconnect. Until I met Claire, I didn’t really have a greater purpose, neither did I take the time to think these experiences through and take it to another Awareness level.
Early 2017, Claire and I volunteered for a wildlife conservation veterinary project in Sumatra (Indonesia). During our trip, we had numerous eye-opening discussions about human activities and behavior that negatively impact us, Life, the Environment, and long-term sustainability. As consumers and travelers, we don’t always think about the consequences of our actions (or lack of) on the Environment. It became obvious to me that Ethics are needed, and that these Ethics need to be spread and taught efficiently.
Raising awareness and promoting ethics are an essential step if we hope to survive and thrive on this planet in harmony with ourselves and with the Environment. It is also becoming critical that we better understand, and participate in Nature and Wildlife conservation efforts the best we can.”