Who We Are
Our coalition brings together leaders from across conservation, business, public policy, and the recreational fishing community, united by a shared commitment to protecting America’s fisheries, strengthening coastal economies, and preserving our maritime heritage for future generations.
Whit Fosburgh | Executive Director
Whit Fosburgh founded the Forage Fish Campaign out of a conviction that the industrial reduction fishing industry poses one of the greatest overlooked threats to America's ocean ecosystems and coastal economies. He brings decades of conservation leadership to the role, having previously served as President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and spent 15 years at Trout Unlimited. Earlier in his career he served as fisheries director for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, chief environment and energy staffer for Sen. Tom Daschle, and wildlife specialist for the National Audubon Society. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University and a master's degree from the Yale School of Forestry.
Benjamin Cassidy | Government Relations
Benjamin Cassidy is the Founder and Principal of Fifth Wave LLC, a strategic advisory firm focused on conservation, natural-resource infrastructure, and public-private partnerships. He previously served as Chief Policy Officer for Nature Is Nonpartisan and as Executive Vice President for International Government and Public Affairs at Safari Club International. His public service includes a senior role at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he launched the Conservation Roundtable and coordinated the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force.
Amelia Kuhn | Associate
Amelia Kuhn is an Associate at oakpool, where she supports the Forage Fish Campaign's communications and public presence, managing the campaign's social media channels and assisting with press and outreach efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Chapman University.
Sarah Shriver Smothers | Public Relations
Sarah Shriver Smothers is a communications strategist and the Head of Public Relations at oakpool. She brings well over a decade of PR experience spanning lifestyle, hospitality, travel, technology, and political grassroots advocacy, with work for brands including Celebrity Cruises, Hilton, and Westin Hotels, as well as organizations including Concerned Veterans for America and Heroes on the Water. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies from Virginia Tech and a certificate in Social Impact Storytelling from Georgetown University.
