Executive Director

Eddie was raised by his mother and exposed to world travel at an early age, observing how others lived within their world with less than he had. The ocean has been a huge part of Eddie's life since his early teenage years, where he discovered surfing and its healing power, as he worked through life without the presence of a father. In 1998, Eddie began his children's mental health work at Edgewood Center for Children and Families, where he worked for 22 years. Eddie grew to understand the impact of trauma on children and families. In 2015 he founded MeWater Foundation to provide children free access to the ocean and mother nature with the same healing power he had experienced as a child. In April of 2021, Eddie left his role as Director of Operations at Edgewood to focus 100% of his energy and passion to MeWater Foundation.

Director of Programs

Tim Gras is a surfer, surfboard shaper, and mental health provider in San Francisco, California. His deep connection to the ocean began as a young child exploring the California coast with his family. Experiencing the ocean's healing powers led him down the path of helping others to share the same opportunities. In 2004 Tim began his children's mental health work at Edgewood Center for Children and Families, where he has worked for 17 years. During his early years working with youth experiencing complex trauma, the benefits of nature and the healing power of the ocean became undeniable. In 2015, he joined Eddie Donnellan to found MeWater Foundation. Tim has a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Program Coordinator

Ann is a native German, now San Francisco-based photographer and artist. Her work explores the themes of home, belonging and freedom.

Through swimming in the San Francisco Bay she has found balance and inner peace in the ocean. Feeling the energy of the water, and sharing space with marine wildlife in nature has brought her a deep feeling of connection to something bigger than herself.

With a background as a trauma-informed yoga and meditation instructor for children and teenagers, she thrives on the ability to bring that same sense of connection and belonging to the youth we work with at MeWater.

Whether it’s helping someone to find confidence in the waves as a first time visitor to the ocean or recruiting more folks to shred on a boogie board, MeWater surf days are Ann’s favorite days of the week.

Orthopedic Surgeon & President of Operation Rainbow

Chair

Dr. Dave Atkin works as an orthopaedic surgeon at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Dr. Atkin has served as a volunteer with Operation Rainbow, an organization which provides free orthopedic surgery to children throughout the developing world, since 1995 and has served as President since 2004. He is an active volunteer and has led more than 60 surgical missions. Dr. Atkin was awarded with the American Academy of Orthopedics Humanitarian Award in 2021 and remains active in DEI work with numerous nonprofits. He is the founding Board Member of MeWater Foundation, an avid surfer, and lifetime humanitarian.

Co-Founder and Owner, RealCrowd

Treasurer

Roman Rosario is an entrepreneur and father of three with a passion for helping others live their best lives. He has been a supporter of MeWater Foundation because he himself found healing through a connection with Mother Nature and the ocean. He co-founded and is CEO of a training company based in San Diego, California.

Lifestyle Photographer

Secretary

Jessica Paul is a Lifestyle Photographer and mother of three. She has spent over a decade in Brand Marketing leadership roles, most recently at Lyft and Virgin America, managing large-scale consumer-facing creative and marketing campaigns. Having lived in California her entire life, Jessica has experienced first-hand how the ocean and outdoors can positively impact one's well-being, and she looks forward to helping support MeWater Foundation's mission. Jessica and her family have been volunteers with MeWater since 2019.

Founder, Urban Remedy

Community Outreach

Neka Pasquale, L.Ac, is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, author, and Founder of the Urban Remedy, a certified B Corporation. She created Urban Remedy as a natural evolution of her passion for health and healing. Neka has grown Urban Remedy from one storefront to national distribution to make healthy, organic eating more accessible. Neka has partnered with MeWater Foundation since 2021 to provide her nutritious food to the youth and volunteers at MeWater Surf Camps as part of her mission of healing people and the planet.

Community Content Manager, Surf Division at Patagonia

Community Outreach

Born in Japan and raised in California, Kosuke Fujikura is an avid surfer and a Patagonia Surf Division member. His father taught him to surf at a young age, but it wasn't until later in life that he discovered the joy and healing power of the ocean. Surfing has opened up multiple opportunities and filled his cup on many levels. He met Eddie Donnellan through Patagonia and attended MeWater Surf Camps. He immediately knew with conviction that MeWater was doing the right thing and was providing something very special to Bay Area youth. He sees MeWater as a much-needed "force of good" in the world that positively impacts each child. He is honored to be a part of MeWater's team.