Our Team
Our Team
Now Enrolling!
Revive Reef Restoration Program
Meet Our Founder, Krista Shoe
The OG Mother of Corals
Krista spent many years in the corporate world doing Program Management and Process Improvement. She spent the majority of her vacation time traveling to remote places to go scuba diving. In 2017, she decided to quit corporate and move near the ocean to Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Upon her arrival, she had a chance introduction to a man who was starting a coral restoration project in the area. They worked together to build Caribbean Coral Restoration for 3 years.Â
As the need to travel globally and teach coral restoration emerged, Mother of Corals was born. Over the last several years, Krista and the MOC team have taught communities to rebuild reefs all around the world. She’s a champion of coral restoration and was integral in Mission Blue’s designation of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago Hope Spot.
Our Team
We’re a group of ocean-obsessed scientists, conservationists, travelers, and friends — with a shared mission of preserving our coral reefs.Â
Robin Perreault
Construction & Training
Robin is known around Bocas del Toro for her creative artificial reef structures designs, and she joined Mother of Corals to share her craft. Robin shares her knowledge and training with local communities so they can build their own sustainable reef structures.
More about Robin
Robin’s devotion to the environment was fostered at sea. She learned to scuba dive in Maine and spent much of her adult life sailing in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She instilled a similar passion in her family and even inspired her daughter to pursue a degree in marine biology.Â
About Robin
Robin is known around Bocas del Toro for her creative artificial reef structures designs, and she joined Mother of Corals to share her craft. Robin shares her knowledge and training with local communities so they can build their own sustainable reef structures.
Robin’s devotion to the environment was fostered at sea. She learned to scuba dive in Maine and spent much of her adult life sailing in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She instilled a similar passion in her family and even inspired her daughter to pursue a degree in marine biology.Â
Ximena Boza
Water Quality
Ximena Boza is a Panamanian marine biologist with a masters degree in oceanography. She was born and raised in Panama City but decided to move to a small, beautiful Caribbean island in Bocas del Toro a few years ago.
More about Ximena
She currently works at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute as a Research Technician. She is excited to apply her ocean water-quality skills to help restore corals; not only in her home country of Panama but also across the globe.
About Ximena
Ximena Boza is a Panamanian marine biologist with a masters degree in oceanography. She was born and raised in Panama City but decided to move to a small, beautiful Caribbean island in Bocas del Toro a few years ago.
She currently works at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute as a Research Technician. She is excited to apply her ocean water-quality skills to help restore corals; not only in her home country of Panama but also across the globe.
Cathy Christopher
Scientific Oversight
Cathy’s love of the water began on the shores of Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at Bowling Green State University; it was the only university with a marine lab in the state of Ohio!
Our Board of Directors
Sacha Koll
Board Secretary
Sacha developed a love of the ocean at an early age, despite being born and raised in Colorado. In her career she has spent time working in sustainability, tourism, and scuba education.
More about Sacha
About Sacha
Sacha developed a love of the ocean at an early age, despite being born and raised in Colorado. In her career she has spent time working in sustainability, tourism, and scuba education.
Sacha is passionate about marine conservation and education. In her spare time Sacha loves exploring the outdoors and having adventures with her friends and family, she’s been to over 40 countries and counting. Sacha is thrilled to be able to offer her skills as Secretary of the Board of Mother of Corals.
Amy Christopher
BOard Director
Amy’s fascination with the underwater started with snorkeling with her family on their overseas assignments. Her love of travel guided her towards her career as a dive travel specialist with Ocean First in Boulder, Colorado.
More about Amy
Ecotourism with a focus on marine conservation has always been paramount when building adventures for avid divers and snorkelers.
Amy’s travel experience spans almost 20 years and has taken her to all 7 continents. In her spare time Amy is an avid cyclist, hiker, and newly certified yoga instructor. She is honored to be a part of the team at Mother of Corals.
About Amy
Amy’s fascination with the underwater started with snorkeling with her family on their overseas assignments. Her love of travel guided her towards her career as a dive travel specialist with Ocean First in Boulder, Colorado.
Ecotourism with a focus on marine conservation has always been paramount when building adventures for avid divers and snorkelers.
Amy’s travel experience spans almost 20 years and has taken her to all 7 continents. In her spare time Amy is an avid cyclist, hiker, and newly certified yoga instructor. She is honored to be a part of the team at Mother of Corals.
Chad H. Koll
Board Director
Chad discovered the ocean as a teenager and quickly fell in love. He joined the U.S. Navy as a submarine nuclear mechanic and diver. After his enlistment, Chad returned to Colorado. He has worked a scuba instructor, earned a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and served as the Chief Editor for Scuba Schools International.
Now Enrolling!
Revive Reef Restoration Program
Unlock the secrets of coral restoration and become an advocate for marine conservation. This comprehensive, 7-day citizen science program — based in beautiful Bocas del Toro, Panama — is designed for individuals passionate about protecting our oceans and eager to make a tangible impact on coral reef ecosystems.
Now Enrolling!
Revive Reef Restoration Program
Unlock the secrets of coral restoration and become an advocate for marine conservation. This comprehensive, 7-day citizen science program — based in beautiful Bocas del Toro, Panama — is designed for individuals passionate about protecting our oceans and eager to make a tangible impact on coral reef ecosystems.