Bio coming soon!

ari is Māhū living in diaspora from their homelands. They got involved in organizing spaces in college via the environmental justice and outdoor equity spheres. ari has a deep connection to ʻāina and seeks to a create a world where every person is in caring reciprocal relation with the world around them. past iterations of ari have been pro pizza slanger, sea-kayaking instructor, backpacking guide, and program manager. they are an anti-imperialist with a dedication to Collective Liberation and service to the people. ari dreams of the day when folks are able to live and thrive outside of the systems of oppression that put profit over people. When theyʻre not at organizing actions or events, you can find them sitting in parks, crafting at home, at a Thorns game, or playing by/in/with water.

Caty is a writer and activist currently based in western NC. Joining a spontaneous walkout to protest the invasion of Afghanistan as a high school freshman kicked off a lifelong interest in progressive and radical organizing, which eventually brought her to Olympia, WA in 2015, where she was a founding member of the Fleet. Today Caty brings her day job skills as a freelance grant writer to support the Fleet's fundraising efforts.

El is a queer Kapampangan-American artist and organizer! They’ve been organizing with the Fleet for almost two years, and have experience organizing in climate justice, forest defense, and abolitionist movements. At the Fleet, you can find them hosting art builds, guiding social paddles, and leading trainings (on and off the water)! Collective liberation, community-building, and abolition are at the core of their organizing principles. When they’re not organizing or kayaking, you can find them making art at the IPRC, singing karaoke with their friends, or meandering through their neighborhood to find friendly cats to pet!

Kelsey is a grassroots organizer with a decade of experience in campaign strategy, research, communications and training. She has worked with various social justice, environmental justice and labor organizations in the Pacific Northwest and California. Kelsey joined the Fleet team in 2023, and has loved bringing people together on the water and helping create spaces where folks can realize their power and connection to waterways. Kelsey also works as a postpartum doula, and is passionate about the intersection of reproductive justice and environmental justice. When Kelsey isn’t organizing, you will likely find her in or around water or in search of a good burrito.

Lee has been a participant and instructor with PNW based Mosquito Fleet since the 2015 ‘Shell NO’ actions on the Salish Sea and Willamette River.  Assisting in training over 500+ people how to safely paddle on the Salish Sea, resulting in the stop of exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic sea bed.  Lee has been a long time volunteer for environmental action groups having the opportunity to participate in global ocean protection efforts. 

They began River Access Paddle Program in 2022; based on the Duwamish River in Seattle, WA which has provided opportunities for inclusion, diversity and access to paddling, safety and rescue trainings with continued environmental education on waterways around the northwest in use for water protection and accessibility.   

Lee is a wayfinder, sailor, boat mechanic and ACA instructor for sea kayak, canoe and stand up paddle board.  They grew up on the Pacific Ocean recognizing their connection to water at a young age.  Seeing the effects of military and colonial occupation resulting in plastic, oil and chemical pollution of all surroundings.  When brought to the northwest they related through the water and how devastating the global impacts of pollution and extraction were.  This reflected in their own self care and desire to travel by water and be present for the efforts to change the systems in place.  Lee has been working on the Duwamish River and Salish Sea for over 13 years.  Living in the Duwamish River Valley they continue work towards land and water protection, education and restoration efforts. They are the lead director and programs developer for Shared Spaces Foundation who have now initiated and supported several land and water back projects.  They are a life advocate that believes in the power of change through environmental education, reconnection and sharing passion for generational health and preservation of aina a wai. Ola i ka wai 

After moving to Portland in 2023, Mango was eager to find community and explore the PNW. Having paddled sporadically throughout her life, and hoping to plug into social justice work in Portland, Mosquito Fleet was the right place for her. As part of the Collective, Mango hopes to connect folks with the water, with each other, and to develop safety skills on and off the water.

Zora has been a trainer with the Fleet since Sept 2023. She has been paddling for over 15 years and has an American Canoe Association (ACA) Sea Kayaking L1 Certification. While growing up in Germany, living in the US, and traveling in various places around the world, Zora has witnessed many social and climate injustices, particularly impacting native and immigrant populations. Zora is passionate about establishing spaces that are welcoming to all, that cultivate open and informative conversations, where everyone learns from and empowers each other. 20+ years ago, she settled in Portland and has been an activist and advocate for our local watersheds and waterways. You can find her year around on a kayak or canoe. Currently Zora is organizing at the intersection of health equity, houselessness and the environment bringing a wide variety of voices together to address the combined impact on the most vulnerable. She strongly believes in the power of community and collective action.