Meet Our Donors

Drs. Hosahalli and Ganga Padmesh, Betty White Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2021

After managing busy careers dedicated to the health and well-being of their patients, Drs. Hosahalli and Ganga Padmesh are now able to enjoy more time visiting the Aquarium. Before retiring, Hosahalli worked as a general surgeon at San Joaquin General Hospital and Ganga as a pediatrician at Elk Grove Pediatrics.

Alan Feinberg and Joan Weber, Betty White Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2022

Joan is a retired educator and Alan is a former software executive and nonprofit board chair. They relocated to the Bay Area from Boston in 1990 and will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

Kathryn Snyder and Jerry Kutchey, Betty White Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2021

Kathryn Snyder and Jerry Kutchey have been loyal supporters since 2014. While residing in the Bay Area, Kathryn would often visit Monterey Bay for dive training and was astounded by the wonderful world full of life underwater.

Angele Khachadour, Ocean Legacy Circle donor since 2013

Angele Khachadour, an attorney in the Bay Area, was a devoted supporter and advocate for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and its mission since 1990. When Angele’s husband, Edward L. Middelton, passed away in 2012, she began to think about her estate plan and ways she could honor her late husband, who had a tremendous love for the ocean and marine life.

Betty White, Ocean Legacy Circle donor since 2014

On December 31, 2021, Betty White passed away, just weeks short of her 100th birthday. Betty was a dear friend and a generous supporter of the Aquarium. As a surprise birthday gift to Betty, we planned to rename our legacy giving program in her honor.

Brad and Martha Atkinson, Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2016

Brad and Martha Atkinson, loyal supporters and Ocean Legacy Circle donors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium since 2007, were deeply inspired with the majestic coastline along California, home to their favorite furry marine mammals, the fascinating sea otter.

Alan Pomatto and Alison Jones-Pomatto, Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2007

Alan Pomatto and Alison Jones-Pomatto, two long-time supporters of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Ocean Legacy Circle members, felt compelled to help when the Aquarium closed its doors in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Don and Dorothy Reinke, Ocean Legacy Circle donor since 2007

Don and Dorothy Reinke have made a generous gift to the Monterey Bay Aquarium through their retirement funds—and they encourage others to join them.

Eileen Hamilton, Ocean Legacy Circle donor since 2013

When it comes to teaching young people the importance of ocean conservation and what it means to make a difference for our planet, Eileen Hamilton comes quickly to mind.

Meg and Rich Donat standing on the Aquarium back deck in front of Monterey Bay

Meg and Rich Donat, Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2009

When it comes to Meg Donat's personal commitment to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and ocean conservation, she embodies the words "loyal" and "dedicated." She's a 35-year Charter Member and donor who began volunteering as a diver before the Aquarium opened. In fact, Meg started cleaning windows as soon as seawater flowed into the exhibits!

Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn, Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2017

Like many Aquarium supporters, Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn are passionate about scuba diving and the ocean — so much so they were married in Fiji on a diving excursion!

Linda Sword Johnson and Virginia Sword, Ocean Legacy Circle donors since 2017

Martin and Virginia Sword were raised in the Santa Clara Valley and frequently visited the Central Coast with their young daughters, Linda and Sabrina. Virginia was an early advocate of ocean conservation and imparted the importance of environmental protection to her two girls.