Who we are

The Story of Coralive

Coralive is a environmental organization (CHE-311.736.420 Swiss Association Registration Number and CR/99/2021 Maldivian NGO Registry), passionate for the ocean, operating worldwide to help protect, manage and restore coastal ecosystems. As in nature, diversity and synergies are key in creating a healthy environment, hence our team represents diverse backgrounds of experience and expertise to provide the multi-faceted services we offer.

The Coralive family is a growing global network of like-minded people, organizations and business partners, always open to new input and partnerships, so let us know how you might envision a collaboration!

Zoe Walker

Co-director

Zoe is a marine biologist with a degree from Flinders University in South Australia, with extensive global experience in marine conservation, including marine wildlife rehabilitation, aquarium biology, and coral restoration. Since joining Coralive in 2018, Zoe has played a key role in the coordination, execution, and management of reef restoration projects. She focuses on implementing location specific restoration approaches for future reef resilience, educating local stakeholders and providing training opportunities for early-career marine biologists.
 

Matthew Walker

Co-director

Matt is a marine biologist specialising in coral restoration, with extensive hands-on experience delivering reef recovery projects around the world. He has designed and managed initiatives ranging from humble grassroot projects in West Papua to large-scale commercial restoration efforts in the Maldives and Saudi Arabia. Driven by a passion for knowledge sharing and practical problem-solving, Matt’s focus with Coralive is rebuilding marine ecosystems from the bottom up, supporting healthy reef environments that are stewarded by the communities who rely on them the most. 

Ahmad Allahgholi (Aki)

Founder

Aki has dedicated his energy and talents to marine conservation initiatives around the globe since 2011, from serving as Program Manager for marine conservation NGO Reefdoctor in Madagascar, to Project Manager for a Philippine-based NGO working on coral reef restoration, MPA management, and alternative livelihood solutions. Armed with a master’s degree in “Sustainable Natural Resource Management” and a thesis in “Coral Reef Restoration” from the United Nations mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, he is always searching for new knowledge and learning best practices to share.
 

Beatrice Mantoet

Project Coordinator

Bea is a marine biologist with a degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology from the University of Plymouth and experience in coral restoration across the Caribbean and the Maldives. She has worked across many different aspects of coral restoration, with a particular interest in coral reproduction and recruitment. As a Divemaster with extensive experience in scientific and restoration diving, she enjoys combining practical fieldwork with developing practical, sustainable approaches to reef restoration. Joining Coralive in 2026, Bea leads our coral restoration initiatives at our North Malè Atoll project site in the Maldives, while also coordinating our volunteer and internship programmes. 

 

Selma Mezger

Project & Communications Manager

Selma is a marine biologist pursuing her PhD at the University of Bremen, Germany, investigating the impact of global and local factors on benthic reef organisms. She has gained extensive experience in coral reef ecology through fieldwork in the Red Sea, the Maldives, and the Mediterranean, focusing on coral physiology, restoration techniques, and potential stress factors. Selma has contributed to various research initiatives, and uses her communication skills to engage a broader audience for marine conservation via public talks and presentations. As an experienced scientific diver and freediver, she combines practical restoration work with scientific insight to support healthy reef ecosystems.

Joanne Wong

Scientific Advisor

Joanne is an ecologist with a strong background in coastal management and environmental impact assessment. She worked as an environmental consultant and researcher in themes varying from coastal planning and harbor green-engineering, to mangrove reforestation, microplastic pollution and saltmarsh ecology. Joanne’s quick thinking, analytic and spatial-oriented mind serves the Coralive team as an inestimable resource for evaluating, designing and executing projects.
 

Richard Baxter

Project Consultant

Rich is an experienced island ecologist specializing in habitat restoration on both land and sea. He has dedicated the last decade to exploring and understanding the biodiversity of the Western Indian Ocean region and its interconnected terrestrial and marine ecosystems. His accomplishments include successfully deploying mineral accretion technology coral nurseries at Frégate Island and managing large-scale coral restoration projects in Maldives. Rich is also a member of the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG), regularly engaging in fieldwork, diving, hiking, and communicating the importance of protecting numerous species through conservation efforts.
 

Joel Ruckli

Partnerships Manager

Joel feels deeply connected to the ocean, is passionate about sustainability and the protection of marine ecosystems. Driven by a strong belief in community and meaningful collaboration, he is particularly interested in building connections between people and nature. Within Coralive, Joel contributes to building partnerships and supporting projects that strengthen the organisation’s presence and impact in Switzerland.
 

Flurin Manetsch

Partnership Manager

Flurin studies at the FHNW and works as a lower secondary school teacher. He combines his passion for the natural sciences with a deep enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and collaborative discovery. Alongside his work in education, he is engaged in cultural and creative projects and is especially interested in the intersection of education, community, and sustainability. At Coralive, Flurin helps develop and maintain partnerships and projects in Switzerland.