About Us
Since 2013, Poseidon Education has coordinated hands-on environmental education programs that engage students in real-world problem-solving around water quality, while connecting students with important career pathways. In partnership with local water authorities, municipalities, agencies, and engineering organizations, we’ve reached thousands of students in over 70 schools. Our award-winning programs equip students in grades 5–12 with the skills to collect and analyze data, develop innovative solutions, and present their work with purpose. We also support educators by training and certifying them to lead these impactful experiences in their own classrooms, helping students build technical skills and discover future careers in water science, engineering, and environmental stewardship.
Our Team
The Poseidon Education team is made up of passionate professionals with backgrounds in aquatic and marine biology, microbiology, environmental compliance, education, research, marketing, and nonprofit leadership. With over 30 years of combined experience in STEM and education, our team is passionate about empowering the next generation of water leaders.
Patti Zachary, CEO
Patti is a marine biologist, environmental educator, and executive leader with extensive experience in program development, environmental conservation, and education. Her career began in marine geology research at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she studied climate change through isotopic analysis of benthic foraminifera in ocean core samples.
In 2009, Patti founded H2O Trash Patrol, a nonprofit organization focused on protecting waterways in San Diego and Orange County through waste reduction and marine debris removal using stand-up paddleboards. She has also served as a speaker at universities, on television, and at nationally recognized events, including TEDx, sharing her expertise and passion for environmental stewardship.
Patti brings more than a decade of experience training elementary, middle, and high school educators to deliver award-winning water education programs. Through leadership roles ranging from program manager to managing director, she has supported educators and students in driving positive environmental change in their schools and communities. Patti became Chief Operating Officer of Poseidon Education in 2021 and Chief Executive Officer in 2024.
Bill Dean, Founder
Bill’s environmental work experience began in 1991 following the passage of California’s recycling legislation (AB 939). He was instrumental in the roll-out of residential and commercial recycling in San Diego North County.
He advanced to Environmental Compliance Director for the largest waste and recycling company in Southern California, managing regulatory compliance including water quality issues. Moving on, he took the reins of a San Diego non-profit, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, as the Managing Director. There he expanded the pallet of environmental programs to help cities in San Diego meet education and outreach goals. Bill wrote and managed the $720,000 DROPS Grant that was awarded to the Encinitas Union School District by the California State Water Board. For over a decade now, Bill has created and delivered numerous environmental programs and curriculum that have engaged and educated over 5,000 participants.
Leanne Vennemeyer, Marketing Director
Leanne is an experienced communications professional and content creator. She directs marketing, communications and outreach operations for Poseidon Education and produces digital content. Leanne began her career in a molecular biology lab at Amgen working on process improvement for scale up production. She conducted market research in the biotechnology sector for Frost & Sullivan before moving on to lead marketing communications efforts at Affymetrix, Inc. With extensive experience producing content for cities throughout North County San Diego, she crafts environmental campaigns that educate and empower communities, particularly youth, to make sustainable choices.
Jasmin Diaz, Compliance and Curriculum Coordinator
Jasmin has always had a passion for protecting the environment. Her experience begins with the work she did with H2O Trash Patrol, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing marine debris from waterways. She then interned at Sea Life Aquarium where she helped educate the public about the importance of protecting marine life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Hawaii Pacific University in 2021, and her Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from CalState Fullerton in 2024. During her time at Hawaii Pacific University, she worked for two years at the Center for Marine Debris Research as a Research and Laboratory Assistant on a number of projects analyzing the impact of plastic on the marine environment. She also designed and led an independent research study regarding plastic accumulation in the Kaneohe Bay convergence zone. She is a published author and has much experience in writing from her collaboration on a number of research papers.
She currently works part-time for Poseidon Education as a Compliance and Curriculum Coordinator and full-time at the California Department of Transportation as an Environmental Permit Specialist.
Peri Strait, Program Manager
With a background in biology, environmental education, and research, Peri has always been passionate about leveraging science and education to create equitable and sustainable environmental solutions.
Her journey began as a Laboratory Intern at Ohalo Genetics, a food crop research company developing innovative breeding systems to increase agricultural yields while reducing resource inputs. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2022, Peri continued at Ohalo as a Research Associate.
She then turned her attention away from research to explore environmental inequity, shifting her focus to community-based work. She served as an AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator with Project New Village, a nonprofit using urban agriculture to promote a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system in Southeastern San Diego. In this role, she established partnerships with over 40 environmental and health organizations.
As a Program Manager at Poseidon Education, Peri develops curriculum for the Water Works: Dig In Program, trains teachers for the Stormwater Quality Leadership Program, and teaches the Water Resources Leadership Program while transitioning it into a teacher-led model. She also leads outreach to bring in new business, recruits participating educators, and coordinates program logistics. Peri is proud to be in a role that blends her passion for science, education, and meaningful community impact.
Claire McKinney, Marketing Specialist
Claire joined Poseidon Education in 2024 and supports marketing, communications, and outreach efforts.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art from University of California, Irvine and previously worked for the City of Encinitas’ Arts Division where she was involved in programming and marketing for the Pacific View Arts Center.
At Poseidon Education, Claire brings her arts background to a variety of projects, from designing and managing the organization’s website to developing digital and print communications and instructional materials for programs. She also supports partnership development and media outreach. Recently, Claire helped coordinate Poseidon Education’s partnership with the University of Massachusetts Global that gives educators the opportunity to earn professional development credit.
Our Awards
