5th annual Words on Water writing contest

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Martine Maingot

Boston, Massachusetts USA

Martine Maingot writes poetry and is a seasoned 15-year marketing executive with extensive experience in digital and strategic marketing communications for various industries including government, banking, medical, and non-profit as well as agency experience. While her wide experience has been in both the public and private sectors, she has also spent considerable time working with the entrepreneurial startup community. As the former Digital Director at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ MCCC, Martine was responsible for providing strategic communications and guidance for the executive team, as well as website, social media management, collateral design, and other key visual design and branding support. As the East Boston Savings Bank’s Marketing Manager, she oversaw communications for 26+ offices. 

Martine’s entrepreneurial journey has included: a series of start-up experiences at the early word of mouth and sampling marketing agency BzzAgent; an early employee at Kool Smiles pediatric dentistry where she went on to lead sales and new business development as a Certified Community Relations Specialist; Marketing Director at TCGT Entertainment where she launched and executed the first of its kind youth cell phone film festival; as the CMO for a Northeast based cleantech startup and at Blue Institute Labs, PBC. 

Martine began her career in Massachusetts as a speechwriter for the Boston Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security where her speeches were delivered at the Harvard School of Public Health and several engagements in London. In 2019, she launched Seedbox Digital, a Massachusetts-based integrated digital marketing agency. 

Martine holds a BA in Communications from Boston College, where she also participated as a walk-on track and field athlete.

Martine is a poet and can often be found performing at one of Boston's many poetry slams.

Donna Tavano

Harwich, Massachusetts USA

Donna Tavano attended Northfield School for Girls and Bennington College. She is a long-time columnist for the Cape Cod Chronicle and is working on a number of childrens’ books. 

Donna and her husband, Frank, raised five sons and enjoy nine grandchildren. Recently retired from over 20 years with the Harwich Police Department, she now has time to indulge her passions of writing and art. Donna is also a multimedia artist who exhibits with the Guild of Harwich Artists and operates a summertime shop, Eclectsia, out of her family home on Cape Cod in Harwich Port, Massachusetts.

She singularly enjoys unearthing treasures of mind, spirit and object when meandering on a road less taken.

Donna often travels to the Bay Area and is pictured above with 

a recent painting: Acrylic 36x48 

“Good Morning 24th Street~San Francisco” 

- Donna Idman Tavano 

Phil Plumley

Prague, Czech Republic and Geneva, Switzerland

Phil Plumley loves reading, writing, and languages (he speaks several).  His passion for the ocean led him to start highly acclaimed and award winning  The Ocean Matters Podcast - We Rise by Lifting Others.

Below are excerpts from an interview on the origin of this unique and popular podcast that is making waves:

A few years ago, as my interest in ocean matters kept growing, I was wondering what I could do to actually also participate and support the oceans.

There were many great ventures out there already, strings of very capable and knowledgeable driven people, even some with great means!

I thought about how I could be of use or support to them from a distance, as physically these people and organisations were scattered around the world. I also wanted to be able to make connections between them as I could see mutual interests and opportunities where they could share and benefit from each other.

I spent a lot of time doing research on the different topics I would come across, an exercise I actually enjoy, and I realised this research exercise could be shared in my own words, which could be a way to 'share the message' for the Oceans.

I ended up deciding to share this research by setting up the Ocean Matters Podcast.

The exercise is actually very fulfilling as it requires that I continuously research topics, but it has also been an opportunity to discover new communities of marine biologists, NGOs, beach and ocean activists, inventors and much more.

Many doors opened with this exercise and I am glad I undertook it as today I am continuously learning and discovering new topics thanks to many experts who are being very generous with their work and time.

I hope that many of the topics and the dedicated people whose passion and knowledge I share, shall meet new welcoming audiences that will in turn support the ocean in their own way.

When he is not making podcasts Phil uses his business development expertise and finance backgroud to be an organizer and mentor for the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge helping ocean impact innovators grow their ideas and companies. 

Tyrone Benskin

Montreal, QC Canada

Tyrone Benskin is an award winning actor and Director who’s 40 year career spans theatre,

television, film and the world of voice. Theatre credits include work on some of Canada’s most

prestigious stages and celebrated performances in such works as Wade in the Water (Black

Theatre Workshop/Centaur Theatre) and his award winning performance in Marjorie Prime

(Segal Centre). Tyrone has also performed in Kiss of the Spider Woman (NAC), Our Country’s

Good (Neptune), Stephane and Mr. Wilde (GCTC) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

(YPT), Romeo and Juliet, King John and the premier of Fair Liberty’s Call (Stratford Festival).

Most recently Tyrone garnered Dora nomination for his turn as MAN in Is God Is (Canadian

Stage / Obsidian, National Arts Centre)

Most recent among his approximately 150 film and television most credits you will find him in

starring roles in Debris and The Lost symbol, (NBC). Other credits include Charlie Jade

(Space, SyFy) as well as supporting roles Jupiter’s Legacy (Netflix) and Chanel Zero (FX).

Tyrone has made guest appearances in such shows as Fargo (FX), Blood and Treasure (CTV),

Faits Divers (TVA) and Transplant (CTV/NBC). His film credits include appearances 300,

Pieces of a Woman, Death of a Ladies Man and Moonfall. Tyrone will be returning for

season 2 of Pillow Talk (Crave) as well as guest appearances on Alert (Fox) and The Boys

(Prime).

Tyrone is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Blue Institute. He has served as

Artistic Director of Black Theatre Workshop as well as President of the Board. In May of 2011

he was elected to Canada’s 41st parliament as the MP for Montreal’s South-West riding. Tyrone

is a former National Vice-President of ACTRA and has sat on the boards of many community

groups and arts advocacy organizations.