Nicole Blakely
General Counsel

Nicole acts as the General Counsel and Secretary for the foundation and institutes. Her responsibilities include non-profit compliance, negotiating grant agreements, program related investments and other transactions, and providing counsel to the Waitt Foundation Board of Directors and executive management. Previously, Nicole was general counsel for an apparel company and was also in private practice for seven years. Nicole holds a J.D., cum laude, from Tulane Law School and a master’s in European History from UCSD.

Jacob James
Principal Aide & Policy Advisor

Jacob joined the Waitt Foundation in 2009, and works as Mr. Waitt’s principal aide. In tandem, Jacob advises Mr. Waitt and the Foundation Board on matters related to ocean policy and conservation around the world. Prior to joining the Waitt Foundation, he worked in local and national public affairs, most recently spending three years on Capitol Hill. Jacob holds a master’s degree in Government from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Cherie Prothro
Program & Operations Director

Cherie joined the Waitt Foundation in 2004, transitioning from Gateway, Inc., where she worked in a variety of positions beginning in 1999. Currently overseeing the day-to-day operations of the grants department, she helps identify appropriate candidates for funding and matches them with the interests of the foundation. Cherie holds a bachelor’s degree in business operations, with a minor in accounting.