Co-founder, Chairman Board of Directors - Spiral Pacific, NGO
Cynthia Matzke earned a Master of Advanced Studies from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. She possesses a cohesive background in journalism, producing packages and assets for NBC Universal, Akaku television, and on independent documentaries. Her goal is to foster conservation efforts by pairing ocean science research with stunning imagery that engages audiences, sends a concise message and raises awareness.
In Hawaii, Ms. Matzke has put her training to use by capturing underwater footage of humpback whales for NOAA research. Her experience with marine animal response networks includes oiled seabirds, turtles, and large whale entanglement response teams.
Cynthia created a highly successful, comprehensive citizen science and funding program called “Blue’aina” which engages corporate partners to support monthly community beach and reef cleanups. A corresponding lecture series with classroom outreach followed and was televised throughout Hawaii. She has sailed over 6500 miles across both the Eastern and Western Pacific Gyres to document marine debris and rafting species and has lectured throughout South Korea, Hawaii, California, and Washington to groups ranging from students to dignitaries and embassy personnel.
Constantly striving ahead, her most recent effort is the development of a documentary entitled “Spiral Pacific.” The film will be one of the first to use Ultra-High Definition (4K) video imagery to examine the complex connectivity of Pacific Ocean environments from the basin to the coasts. Committed to education, she is an Associate Professor teaching science and research classes at a private university, as well as STEM curricula for UC San Diego.
She attended the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress and Ocean Summit on Oahu, covering the event as press as well as a presenter at a workshop on Excellence and Leadership in Media. Upon conclusion of the conference, she crewed to Kauai aboard a newly built Hawaiian sailing canoe with Master Navigators to document the rebirth of the Polynesian voyaging culture. In her free time, Ms. Matzke can be found at her small organic farm in a remote valley on Maui.
Co-founder, V. Chairman Board of Directors - Spiral Pacific, NGO
Robert Kenneth Fitzgerald is a thirty-year entertainment industry veteran. He is a television producer and director with standing memberships in the Directors Guild of America - Television Director; Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Entertainment Executive branch.
After receiving his BA with majors in Radio/TV/Film and Marketing, Robert got his industry start as a Runner/PA on the feature film Critters, produced by Hollywood legend, Roger Corman. He then was accepted into the famous NBC Page Program. That experience led to a focus on television production, working on a number of broadcast series including That’s Incredible, The Home Show and Rescue 911. He then returned to NBC where he spent the next 21 years moving up the ranks to Senior Director, NBC Marketing and Digital. In that position, he produced and directed over 6,000 hours of live satellite multi-camera entertainment news programming. These productions featured top stars from the Film/Television/Print world originating from locations around the USA, in addition to international locations as varied as: Moscow, London, Paris, Bethlehem, Sao Paulo, Quito - Ecuador, Panama City - Panama, San Jose - Costa Rica, Sydney and Nah Trang - Vietnam.
As a side benefit to working from locations around the globe, Robert was able to pursue his passion for scuba diving. He feels very fortunate that his professional life afforded him the opportunity to dive on some of the most iconic dive locations around the world. His professional life has included working with some of the world’s great ocean explorers: Bob Ballard, James Cameron and numerous wildlife experts from National Geographic to both promote and champion their projects to home audiences across the country. Gaining inspiration from their work Robert volunteers on a number of ocean preservation efforts.
In Spring 2014, Robert, as part of an amazing corporate team effort, achieved the shared goal of returning NBC to the number one position - becoming the first television network to move from fourth place to first within a two-year span. With this goal reached he decided to take a hiatus from the corporate world to pursue projects that focus on ocean preservation.
In 2015, he started on a new journey forming 40-Foot Wave Productions. His production company has an exclusive agreement to provide footage to Spiral Pacific. Additionally, Robert serves as Co-Chairman, with Cynthia Matzke, of Spiral Pacific, Inc a non-profit corporation.
Contributing Producer, Host
Ashley has long envisioned a world in which she can live her values. Whether championing minimalist lifestyles, developing sustainable communities, working with policy makers, programming content, or performing, she is committed to her mission: to create a world that regenerates ecosystems in balance with human activities. As an environmental policy professional, Founding Director of EcoArts Foundation, and Board member at Local Earth, she has advanced this goal with projects ranging from her educational podcast to municipal Climate Action Plan implementation. Her niche capabilities in tiny homes and environment-themed songwriting complement her masters degree in International Environmental Policy from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.
By celebrating media that sets a high bar with socially-responsible content, Ashley aims to captivate, motivate, and inspire audiences to sustain a vibrant, thriving planet. A partner and affiliated artist at the Climate Science Alliance, she produces events, live shows, and ecologically-themed art programs. Her 2016 progressive rock album Let's Talk About the Weather spans topics from PTSD to climate refugees. Her most recent project — She’s So Lovely — is an autobiographical musical about solutions to our greatest environmental challenges, including her personal efforts to develop eco communities worldwide. Her music can be heard on LA Talk Radio and in corporate stores across the United States. Ashley currently supports Autonomous Living LLC -- a new green tech tiny house company -- as Executive Director.
Contributing Producer, Host
I am a hydrologist (aka – water scientist), adventurer, and filmmaker who uses visual imagery, stunning video and outstanding storytelling to connect people to our ever changing planet. With a M.S in Water Resources and over 10 years of experience working as a Hydrologist for organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of New Mexico and County of San Diego, I am now brining you along on my adventures to show you how truly amazing our planet is. I want you to know about all the amazing efforts the volunteers, scientists and conservationists are doing to keep our planet spinning. That is all changing now with Adventure Hydrology… and you should be a part of it.