CURRENT INTERESTS
Helping organizations improve their efforts through sound communication and evaluation; exploring innovative approaches to creating awareness, influencing behavior and evaluating efforts, particularly in marine research, education, management and conservation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2004-present The Locally-Managed Marine Area Network – Communication Specialist
Develop and implement a communication strategy for this marine conservation organization working in eight countries across the Indo-Pacific. Continually review strategy and conduct surveys to evaluate and guide communication efforts. Assist project teams and researchers target, prepare and disseminate their work. Coordinate with partner agencies and NGOs to compile, analyze and disseminate site data and lessons learned. Developed project database for tracking site statistics, progress and outcomes. Budget for communication activities, assist in writing grant proposals and donor reports, oversee website, develop materials for a diverse audience, and provide communication training and resources to members. Produced the organization’s first-ever annual report, stories from the field, video and community storybook of lessons learned.
2009-2010 The Atlantic Philanthropies – Communication Consultant
Provided research and quality assurance services for this organization's communication efforts; assisted with various website and other online needs; helped develop a messaging training workshop for grantees.
2007-2010 Asibey Consulting – Communication Consultant
Collaborated on research and evaluation projects for various clients, including a study of science communication for the Packard Foundation, a review of the marine publishing program for Island Press, an evaluation of the Coalition for Healthy Children for the Ad Council, and the development of an evaluation framework for the Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS). Co-developed "Are We There Yet? A Communications Evaluation Guide," a tool to measure communications effectiveness for foundations and non-profits, and made presentations and conducted workshop to introduce the tool to practitioners.
2003 Community Conservation Network, Honolulu - Communication Specialist
Conducted a communication planning workshop for this Hawaii-based marine conservation organization; produced an in-depth Communications Plan to address organizational and project-based communication needs. Began the development of the organization's first-ever logo, identity and newest communication materials.
2002 University of Miami Development Office, Miami, Florida - Researcher
Conducted research and wrote confidential biographic overviews of prospective donors and trustees using in-house database and Web-accessed resources; performed research on companies and foundations for grant-giving information. Conducted the preliminary research on potential donors to UM's Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and RSMAS' Center for Sustainable Fisheries.
2001 World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. - Consultant
Researched, co-authored and edited the concept paper and budget for the International Center for Tropical Marine Ecosystems Co-Management, a consortium of higher learning centers and research institutes around the world working towards the sharing of coastal resources management approaches that effectively integrate the social with the biological sciences.
2000 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science - Academic Researcher
Division of Marine Affairs. Conducted literature research and assisted in writing academic papers on marine and fisheries topics for publication in scientific journals.
1999-2001 The AVINA Foundation, Miami, Florida - Communication Consultant
Developed and implemented an information-gathering process to document and disseminate project work in seven countries throughout Latin America. Wrote, edited and co-managed the design and production of annual report, website and other communication materials. Performed an in-depth media research study as the basis for developing the company's strategic plan. Developed an in-house photo database and provided materials for partner organizations' outreach programs.
1997-2001 Bimini Biological Field Station, Bahamas - Media Relations Manager
Acted as media liaison between scientists and production crews covering field station activities. Coordinated with media contacts, drafted and oversaw production budgets, assisted with logistics of film and television projects and maintained video archive.
1997, 1999 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science - Research Assistant
Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries. Conducted library and field research for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection-sponsored finfish stock-enhancement project. Carried out hundreds of personal interviews with sport and commercial fishermen; organized and analyzed data for final reports; prepared and presented findings. Won award for research presentation.
1998 Tetra-Tech/United States Agency for International Development - Documentarian
Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. Documented coastal resource management initiatives throughout the country, including marine protected areas, community-based and co-management strategies, and alternate livelihood development (e.g. ecotourism and aquaculture). Worked cooperatively with government, academia, community leaders and private sector. Wrote articles for various audiences, made public presentations, maintained photo archive, videotaped sites for coral reef evaluation and marine sanctuary consideration. Reviewed taxonomic listings and photographed marine species for Philippine Coral Reefs: A Natural History Guide by Alan T. White, 2001. Won award for research presentation.
ACTIVITIES
• SeaWeb Social Marketing Workshop, guest participant, Honolulu, June 2010
• Communications Effectiveness Workshop, trainer, New York City, October 2009
• Network Effectiveness Working Session, participant, San Francisco, April 2009
• Communications Network Annual Conference, presenter, Chicago, September 2008
• 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, attendee and poster presentation, Ft. Lauderdale, July 2008
• Sustainable Seas, Sustainable Seafood Webinar, presenter, July 2008
• “You, Me & the Sea” public awareness exhibit, creator & presenter, Ft. Lauderdale, February-August 2008
• Participant, Monterey Bay Aquarium SeaFood Watch Program online discussion board, 2007
• Environmental Leadership Program Senior National Fellow, Class of 2006-07
• International Game Fishing Association Museum Volunteer, 2005-08
• “World Conference on the Scientific and Technical Bases for Sustainability of Fisheries”
• “Policy Forum on Limiting Access to and Regulating Use of Marine and Coastal Resources”
QUALIFICATIONS
• Exceptional communication skills; excellent writing, editing and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized, resourceful and creative; able to manage multiple projects and activities
• Excellent strategic, budgeting and logistical skills
• Extensive experience with film, video and print production; comfortable working with the media
• Knowledgeable in marine science topics; able to translate scientific concepts to lay audiences
• Extensive travel and fieldwork in the Caribbean, Latin America and the Indo Pacific
• Experience with both scientific and social research techniques
• Divemaster and Research Diver certified
• Working knowledge of Spanish (written and spoken); familiarity with Tagalog and Cebuano
PUBLICATIONS
Asibey, Edith, Toni Parras and Justin van Fleet (2010). “Are We There Yet? How to Know Whether Your Communications Are Effective” in The Foundation Review Issue 4. (co-author)
Asibey, Edith, Toni Parras and Justin VanFleet (2008). Are We There Yet? A Communications Evaluation Guide. The Communications Network and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. (co-author)
McField, Melanie and P. Richards Kramer (2007). Healthy Reefs for Healthy People: A Guide to Indicators of Reef Health and Social Well-being in the Mesoamerican Reef Region. With contributions by M. Gorrez and M. McPherson. 208 pp. (photographs)
The Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (2007). Lessons Learned video (director)
The Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network (2005-2010). Various Annual Reports, field stories and LMMA website (text, photographs and design)
Aalbersberg, Bill, Alifereti Tawake and Toni Parras. (2005). “Village by Village: Recovering Fiji’s Coastal Fisheries” in World Resources Report 2005. (co-author and photographs)
Burke, Lauretta et al. (2004). Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean and (2002). Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia. World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. (underwater photographs)
Pomeroy, R.S., Parks, JE. and Watson, L.M. (2004). How is Your MPA Doing? A Guidebook of Natural and Social Indicators for Evaluating Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. (underwater photographs)
White, Alan T. (2001). Philippine Coral Reefs: A Natural History Guide. Bookmark, Inc. and Sulu Fund for Marina Conservation, Inc., Manila, 276 pp. (taxonomy research and underwater photographs)
Asibey, E.A., T. Parras, G. Porcel and L. Timberlake. (2001). AVINA 2000 Annual Report and website. Miami: AVINA Stiftung. (text and photographs)
Parras, D.A. (2001). “Coastal Resource Management in the Philippines: A Case Study in the Central Visayas Region” in Journal of Environment and Development, 10 (1), 80-103. (author)
Parras, Toni. (2001). “Protect Marine Biodiversity” in Over Seas: The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas, 4 (5). Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (text and photographs)
Parras, D.A., M.F. Portigo and A.T. White. (1998). “Coastal Resource Management in Olango Island: Challenges and Opportunities” in Tambuli: A Publication for Coastal Management Practitioners, 4, 1-9. Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (co-author and photographs)
Parras, D.A. (1998). “Enterprising Olango” in Tambuli: A Publication for Coastal Management Practitioners, 4, 1-9. Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (text and photographs)
Parras, Toni. (1998). “News about the CRMP Learning Areas: Cebu” in Over Seas: The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas, 1 (4). Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (text and photographs)
Parras, Toni. (1998). “Coral Confiscators Cited” in Over Seas: The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas, 1 (4). Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (text and photographs)
Treasures of the Sea and Our Endangered Coasts. (1998). Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu, Philippines. (text and photographs)
Karen Furnweger, ed. (1997). Aquaticus, Shedd Aquarium. (underwater photographs)
Parras, Toni. (1996). “The Medusa Worm in Full View” in Scuba Times, 17 (3), 66. (text and photographs)
Parras, Toni. (1989). “Red Earth, Black Water: A Journey up the Amazon” in Aventura Express. (text and photographs)
MEDIA CLIPS AND WEBINARS
"Communicating with Stakeholders and Communities: Specialists Offer Their Advice to MPA Managers" in MPA News, Vol. 10, No. 10, May 2009. http://depts.washington.edu/mpanews/MPA107.htm
Presentation on “Are We There Yet? A Communications Evaluation Guide” to help foundations and non-profits monitor their communication initiatives, hosted by the Communications Network with the Goodman Institute, December 2008. http://www.comnetwork.org/features/webinar/Evaluation/lib/playback.html
Presentation on “You, Me & the Sea” for the Sustainable Seafood, Sustainable Seas Webinar hosted by the Environmental Leadership Program, August 2008. http://www.elpnet.org/webinar.php
Interview with Radio Australia at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, July 2008
Article and Audio clip: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2451908.htm
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Marine Affairs and Policy, 1999
Fellowship Recipient
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS)
Miami, Florida USA
Bachelor of Science in Communication and Sociology, 1989
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida USA