Meet The MOA Team

Executive Director & Captain of Mystic Whaler

Christine Healy

Christine discovered her passion for sailing as a teenager and launched her career at 19 in Annapolis, Maryland.

She initially focused on yacht deliveries to the Caribbean before progressing to larger traditional schooners, including the Woodwind 2, Pride of Baltimore 2, and the Amistad.

At 23, she obtained her first captain’s license, and one of her major aspirations was to sail to Hawaii. In 2008, she moved to the West Coast and achieved this dream in 2009 by racing in the Transpac aboard the privateer Lynx. Afterward, she returned the West Coast, gaining diverse experience operating boats from British Columbia to Mexico.

Christine holds a 200-ton coastal master’s license and is dedicated to teaching youth about traditional sailing and marine wildlife, especially whales. She is thrilled to share her extensive knowledge and experience with Mystic Whaler.

In her free time, Christine enjoys reading and snuggling with her pugs, Emma, Lizzie and Kermit.

Deputy Director

Adri Howe

Adri, a native Californian, joined the Mystic Ocean Adventures team in 2023, bringing with her extensive experience in both for-profit and non-profit management, fundraising, and outreach.

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She is a passionate advocate for humane education, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human rights, animal protection, and environmental sustainability.

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Adri earned her B.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego – Thurgood Marshall College.

She also serves as the President and Executive Director of California Coastal Horse Rescue of Ojai and is an Officer of the Channel Islands Harbor Foundation. Adri was previously the Executive Director and CFO of the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and Owner of Orion Marketing & Communications Strategies.

Additionally, Adri is a dedicated nature and animal photographer whose work has been showcased in various publications. She believes that Lyle Lovett’s song “If I Had A Boat” perfectly encapsulates her vision of her life. (Take a listen!)

Director of Development

Alyssa Torkelson

Alyssa's connection to the ocean began in her earliest years, when her family lived alongside the beach in Ventura. Growing up with the Pacific as her backyard inspired a lifelong love of the ocean and the natural world. 

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Alyssa believes in the importance of investing in the next generation through accessible, experiential education and is committed to supporting causes that promote education, environmental conservation, mental health, social justice, and animal welfare. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Nonprofit Management.

With an extensive background in nonprofit development and philanthropy, Alyssa has spent her career helping organizations build the resources, relationships, and infrastructure needed to successfully advance their missions. Her nonprofit career has spanned philanthropy, healthcare, and wildlife conservation. She served as Impact Officer at the Ventura County Community Foundation, where she saw firsthand how philanthropy can strengthen communities, and then at St. John's Healthcare Foundation, supporting two community hospitals. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at Ojai Raptor Center, a wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit in Ojai, where she worked to advance animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation, and education. 

In her free time, Alyssa loves curling up with a good book, cuddling with her Australian Shepherd, Loki, and spending quality time with her family. 

Operations and HR Coordinator

Ian FitzGerald

Ian discovered his love for sailing when he joined The Santa Barbara Sailing Center in 1994.

He started in the office and on the docks before moving on to teach kids' camps and crew on various yachts in Santa Barbara Harbor.

By 1996, he earned his ASA Instructor credential and began teaching the ASA 101 certification course aboard Victory 21’s and J24’s. Shortly after, he took on the role of Assistant Sailing School Director, contributing to the growth of the sailing school and refining the curriculum. This led to his promotion as Sailing School Director, where he also served on the ASA board, advocating for the interests of West Coast Sailing Schools. In 2000, Ian became General Manager, guiding the company's evolution for the next 20 years.

A devoted family man, Ian enjoys life with his wonderful wife and two teenage daughters. His hobbies include fishing, playing bass guitar, disc golf, skiing, traveling, and attending live music events whenever he can.

Education Manager

Cat Cortez

Cat has loved the ocean longer than she can remember. She spent her childhood afternoons fishing with her grandfather and catching sand crabs to use as bait. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to work somewhere on the water or near the beach. 

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In 2024, she graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Resource Management from California State University Channel Islands. Her thesis work focused on erosion of Santa Rosa Island’s beaches relating to changes in vegetation. Past work of hers involves working as an educator at the Santa Barbara Zoo, collecting sea turtle nesting data in Costa Rica, and volunteering as a keeper aide at The Turtle Conservancy. 

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She joined the Mystic Whaler crew in 2025 and discovered her love of sailing. On her free time, she loves soaking up the sun with a good book, playing with her Great Pyrenees Alani, and experimenting with new baking recipes.