About NAMEPA

Carleen Lyden Walker is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) leveraging off her experience as a marketing and communications professional in the commercial maritime industry with over 40 years of experience.  She specializes in identifying, developing and implementing strategic marketing and communications programs that increase the visibility and effectiveness of NAMEPA as well as the development of educational resources promoting marine environment protection.  She works to develop strategic alliances between industry, regulators, conservation groups and educators to “Save Our Seas”.

In 2015, Ms. Lyden Walker was appointed an Ambassador by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is a member of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), the Connecticut Maritime Association, the Marine Society of the City of New York, The National Press Club, WIMAC (Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean) and is a Past-President of the Propeller Club Chapter of the Port of NY/NJ. She was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Coast Guard Foundation, the Tall Ships America Foundation, New York Harbor Foundation and the New Era Academy Transportation Technologies Program in Baltimore. She was recently named one of the top 100 women in shipping globally.

Ms. Lyden Walker is also Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Marketing & Communications, is Chief Evolution Officer of SHIPPINGInsight, Founder of CARIBMEPA and the Co-Founder/Executive Director of the Consortium for International Maritime Heritage.  In 2010, she was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the United States Coast Guard and in 2014 a Public Service Commendation for her work on World Maritime Day and AMVER, respectively.  Ms. Lyden Walker graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and History (minor in Economics), studied Accounting at Cornell School of Business Administration and is a trained facilitator and media trainer.  She held a USCG Captain’s license. 

Lyn Harris has worked in the marine industry for over 20 years. She has built diverse set of management skills through her experience developing strategies and setting policies. She has established streamlined business processes to increase operational effectiveness that enhance the end user experience. Lyn has worked with NAMEPA for over six years. She provides day-to-day leadership and management in driving the mission and core values of the organization. She has identified and developed a strategy to build educational initiatives for seafarers, students and the public. She is a liaison in building alliances and partnerships for the mission of NAMEPA to "Save Our Seas."

Janie Nneji is a highly intuitive leader and program manager with proven ability to plan, organize, and implement programs efficiently and resourcefully. Janie has over 20 years experience working with for-profit and non-profit businesses, developing operational strategies and employee experiences (from recruitment to hiring and training) that deliver business impact. With an engineering degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from Columbia Business School, Janie is an exceptionally strategic and innovative thinker.

Janie brings her experience in program and stakeholder management to NAMEPA to increase operational efficiency and develop strategies with a focus on sustainability. Her passion to engage with communities to make a positive impact socially and environmentally are a great addition to the NAMEPA Team in the mission to Save Our Seas.

Marcela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major in Finance from St. Simon University in Bolivia. She brings a wealth of experience to her role at NAMEPA, having worked in various positions and projects in Corporate America for over 12 years. These roles include Territory Sales Manager for the Northeast territories in the USA, Customer Support, leading the SAP Project Cordillera and the logistics for Consumer Goods, and Inbound Logistics. 

At NAMEPA, Marcela plays a lead role in several projects, including the development, successful implementation and management of the NAMEPA ESG - Maritime Sustainability Program with a group of subject matter experts in the maritime industry. She also utilizes her bilingual skills as a Spanish editor for all NAMEPA educational materials. 

Rachel is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Rachel has a diverse set of skills that comes from an extensive history in holding many positions throughout the years at her previous jobs, developing a great understanding for customer service and organizational skills. At NAMEPA, she is responsible for overseeing a variety of projects, such as office support and educational resources. Outside of NAMEPA, Rachel spends her summers sailing, which she started doing professionally at a young age. Her love of the ocean and the conservation of our seas has been a driving force into why she enjoys working for NAMEPA.

Anika Bjarnadottir, an alumna of Texas Christian University, holds a Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications with a complementary minor in general business. Leveraging her expertise as the Digital Media Manager at NAMEPA, she spearheads diverse initiatives, skillfully managing the organization's online presence across social media platforms and the website.

Meghan Reilly is an Educations Associate with NAMEPA and the Director of Youth Programs at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum. She has a passion for the ocean and the marine environment. She graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in June of 2022 and earned Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection with a minor in Marine Biology. While working with NAMEPA she has worked on the MARPOL Webinar Series, Chapter Outreach, and Career Development along with completing several other social media projects and educational materials. At the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, she runs the STEM-based summer camp, the Young Mariner Program and oversees all educational programs that the museum has to offer.