Our Team

Natalie Small

Founder & Clinical Supervisor

Shannon Boselli

Executive Director

Jessica Lin

Creative Lead

Rumi

Groundswell Office Support

Clinicians

Ari

Sarah

Mo

Natalie

Brooke

Ally

Maya

Board

Chelsea

Jenn

Jessica

Marissa

Whitney

Casey

Stephanie

Beth

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Board of Directors

Jenn Beening, Board President

Jenn, a lifelong nature enthusiast and wildlife advocate, currently works in Marketing for a climate tech venture firm, focused on investing in solutions to address the planet’s climate crisis. She previously worked at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where she managed social media programs, crafting impactful narratives to inspire global conservation efforts. Jenn holds a B.A. in Sociology and English from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an M.A. in Biology with a focus on Environmental Stewardship and Community-Based Conservation from Miami University of Ohio. She also serves on the board of Wildlife Madagascar, a non-profit dedicated to protecting wildlife, habitats, and communities. Jenn began her journey with Groundswell as a participant in the surf therapy program in 2023.

Chelsea Almario, Board Treasurer

Chelsea Almario is a dedicated entrepreneur who runs and owns a thriving real estate business. Ranked in the top 3% of realtors in San Diego and the top 4% of Coldwell Banker worldwide, she is passionate about building strong communities through both her professional work and philanthropic efforts.

Her journey with Groundswell began in 2017 as a volunteer, later stepping into the role of surf safety facilitator before joining the board. Having firsthand experienced the transformative power of the ocean, Chelsea knows the importance of accessible healing spaces and is committed to ensuring others have the opportunity to connect with themselves, their community, and the sea.

Whitney Taylor, Board Secretary

With a background in sustainable development, international relations, and trauma-informed care, Whitney has spent over a decade working with nonprofits focused on community healing and social impact. She earned her MBA in Social Impact from Eastern University and has supported organizations like SheJumps, blending her love for the outdoors with meaningful community work.

In 2022, Whitney began pursuing a career in clinical psychology and discovered surf therapy through an internship with Groundswell—a transformative experience that deepened her commitment to connecting mental health and nature. Now, as a marriage and family therapist in training, she is honored to support Groundswell’s mission and help expand access to nature-based healing.

Jessica Hardesty, Board Member

Jessica is an ocean enthusiast driven by building community both in the water and on land. By day, she works in FP&A for a tech company and holds a B.S. in Finance from Cal State University, Northridge and an MBA from USC.

She was introduced to Groundswell through a surf therapist and deepened her involvement through volunteering. Groundswell’s mission—at the intersection of ocean connection, therapy, and community—mirrors what has shaped her life, and she’s excited to help bring these experiences to more people.

Marissa Miller

Marissa grew up on O‘ahu and now lives on California’s Central Coast, carrying a lifelong connection to the ocean through surfing. She works with Conservation International’s Surf Conservation program and is a professional free-surfer representing brands like Sisstr.

Her involvement with Groundswell began through her work at Conservation International, and the mission deeply resonated with her belief that people protect what they love. Having found purpose and connection through the ocean herself, she’s honored to help bring these experiences to communities around the world.

Casey Fields

Casey Fields is the founder of The Point, an innovative Mission Bay event venue rooted in community, sustainability, and technology. A later-in-life surfer and Mission Beach local since 2009, Casey knows firsthand the healing power of the ocean and believes deeply in the magic of women gathering in circle. She joins the Groundswell board bringing her passion for surf therapy and her expertise in events, business, and entrepreneurship.

When she's not in the water, she can be found adventuring with her two children alongside her wife.

Stephanie Mencarelli

Stephanie Mencarelli is an award-winning design leader who crafts impactful, human-centered experiences at the intersection of creativity, technology, and business. As VP of Design at Adobe, she leads the Document Cloud and Student Product Group organizations, Adobe's fastest-growing cloud service reaching over 1 Billion monthly active users through products like Adobe Acrobat, Student Spaces, Enterprise products, Sign, and Scan.

Her leadership style is defined by a unique blend of impact, joy, and connection, has been shaped by her extensive experience at industry-leading companies including Spotify, InVision, Walmart, and Fandango.

Beth Sobel

Beth Sobel is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and healthcare executive specializing in strategic planning and operational management with notable achievements in scaling programs and launching new service lines for sustained organizational success. She is passionate about translating nutrition science into practical, inclusive whole-person care models that empower lasting health. She has 15+ years of experience designing, implementing, and scaling innovative nutrition, metabolic health, and chronic disease programs that improve clinical outcomes, reduce total healthcare costs and better meet the needs of our diverse populations. She has been a water woman and nature lover starting from her earliest years growing up around the lakes and mountains of New England and the last 20 years living close to the ocean in Southern California. She has experienced and witnessed the incredible impact that ocean/surf therapy and blue mind connection has on all aspects of the health of our communities. She is excited to bring her extensive background in healthcare leadership and her passion for surf therapy to help make surf and ocean therapy more accessible to all people and communities and to work towards a future where it is an integral part of the standard of care in our healthcare systems.

Honoring Groundswell’s Lineage

  • Troy Marcikic (2016)

    Tamzin Hector (2016)

    Rachelle LaBelle (2016)

    Teri Heidman (2018)

    Katie Floyd (2018)

    Dana Nielsen (2019)

    Rachel Maruico (2020)

    Elsa River (2021)

    Luz Alejos (2020)

    Marina Varano (2018)

    Bri Redfield (2021-23)

    Mariam Morris

    David Postolski

    Lexií Galbreath

  • Jenn Lacey

    Madison Elick

    Natalie Tasca

    Danny Garza

    Evelyn Ramos Lopez

    Lauren King

    Lauren Carter

    Katie Schaible

    Sierra Brasher Nichols

    Whitney Dickey

    Kay Saffe

    Becka Schwartz

  • Natalie Small: Founder, Executive Director

    Madison Elick: Office Manager

    Lara Burros: Programs Manager

    Leah Austin: LA/OC Programs Manager

    Kelsey Ellis: Bay Area Programs Manager

    Jules Jackson: Operations Manager

    Mo Mata: Office Manager, Executive Assistant, & Surf Therapy Facilitator

    Nathalia Castillo: Executive Assistant and Operations Consultant

    Meg Martin: Community Outreach Partner Manager & Surf Therapy Facilitator

    Lauren King: Nonprofit Professional Volunteer

    Emily Ruth: Surf Therapy Facilitator

    Sarah Fisher: Surf Therapy Facilitator

    Holly Beck: Surf Therapy Facilitator

  • Viv Kaizer

    Carla Borella

    Suzanne Samadzade

    Luz Arias

  • Shakti Rising

    First Aid Arts

    Generate Hope

    Exxpedition

Our Sponsors