Our team works together using each member's unique talents to advocate for marine conservation through robust science and education regarding the importance of sharks to the ocean ecosystem, focusing particularly on the North Carolina area.
Chief Executive Officer, Cofounder
Taylor leads NCSC's strategic vision and overall direction, championing its mission to advance shark research and conservation along the North Carolina coast and beyond. A passionate advocate for marine ecosystems, Taylor holds a B.A. in International Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has dedicated her career to marine conservation and strategic partnership development. As a resident of the Outer Banks (and former Wilmington resident), Taylor's deep and long-standing connection to the state’s coastal waters inspired a commitment to understanding and protecting its unique marine life. Prior to co-founding NCSC, Taylor worked for the National Park Service as a Partnerships Program Specialist on the Outer Banks. She also has a background as a Portfolio Manager with AmeriCorps and various other conservation-focused NGOs. Taylor’s dream of launching the North Carolina Shark Conservancy (NCSC) began in 2017 after extensive fieldwork studying marine life, particularly sharks and sea turtles, along the eastern seaboard. She recognized a significant lack of shark research in the area, highlighting an urgent need for dedicated study into shark populations, behavior, and ecological roles.
Chief Operations Officer, Cofounder
Kara oversees daily operations at NCSC, ensuring the organization runs efficiently and effectively. She also contributes to strategic planning, development, and administrative tasks. She holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from UNC Wilmington and an M.A.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech, with a focus on science education. A North Carolina native, Kara currently lives in Raleigh. Her background includes studying bottlenose dolphin populations off the North Carolina coast using photo-identification techniques, as well as working as a marine mammal trainer with the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. Kara is a licensed teacher in North Carolina and spent eleven years teaching high school Biology and Marine Ecology. For the past four years, Kara has worked in shark conservation, inspired by the vital role the North Carolina coast plays for many shark species. She co-founded the NCSC to advance shark research and promote understanding in her home state.
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Paixao is a highly accomplished financial professional with a distinguished 24-year military career, culminating as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Mark served in notable units including the 82nd Airborne Division, 618 Light Engineer Sapper company in a Ranger PLT, and HQ USSOCOM. Amongst many other things, his extensive experience includes planning and executing budgets for military medical assets exceeding $4 million into AFRICOM and EUCOM, and orchestrating the movement of over $10 million in equipment for EUCOM operations. At the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Mark managed a multi-million dollar budget for critical HR programs supporting over 1.2 million Soldiers and their Families, ensuring efficient resource allocation and establishing a new division of support personnel. He also oversaw the funding and management of critical personnel readiness programs for the entire US Army Reserve force, approving over $20 million in budgetary funds for initiatives directly impacting deployment readiness. Beyond his impressive financial acumen, Mark is a dedicated scholar with a Master's degree in General Psychology and is currently pursuing his Clinical Counselors licensure and a Master’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling, bringing a unique perspective on human behavior and organizational resilience to his leadership. His diverse background positions him as a dynamic and effective leader poised to drive financial success and organizational well-being as NCSC’s CFO.
Head Resident Scientist
Kenzie serves as the Head Resident Scientist for the NCSC, where she manages the shark stranding database and is part of the development and implementation of the conservancy’s shark tagging program. She holds a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Florida and an M.S. in Marine Science from Jacksonville University, where her research focused on the movements and space use of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in the overwintering residency area off the Carolinas in the Western North Atlantic. Prior to joining the NCSC, Kenzie worked as a fisheries biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program, leading inshore and offshore research assessing fish and shark communities across Florida’s coastal systems. Her field and analytical expertise includes shark telemetry, spatial ecology, and fisheries monitoring, with experience in analyzing and visualizing ecological data. Passionate about science communication and education, she also serves as the Northeast Florida Regional Director for the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. She regularly participates in outreach programs such as Sharkcon, Fin Fest and other regional initiatives. Building on her previous work, she continues to emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the Carolinas region and aims to advance knowledge of its ecological importance for both resident and migratory shark populations to support effective conservation efforts.
Director of Marketing and PR
Paige is a strategic marketing professional, bringing nearly a decade of experience in public relations, digital marketing, and partnership management to NCSC. She has worked across corporate, nonprofit, and consumer sectors, creating data-driven campaigns and compelling storytelling to drive engagement, elevate brand visibility, and connect audiences to purpose. Paige previously led communications and marketing initiatives for an ocean conservation nonprofit, where she championed awareness and action for marine ecosystems. A native of North Carolina, she is passionate about protecting the state’s coastal environments and showcasing the vital role of its waters for diverse species. Outside of work, Paige enjoys exploring new travel destinations, spending time by the water, and cheering on the Carolina Panthers.