meet the Team

Originally from El Salvador, she embodies a rich multicultural journey. 

She obtained her bachelor's degree in Marketing in her home country before moving to the United States, where she spent 15 years and earned a nursing degree while there. 

Nine years ago, she relocated to Canada and completed a Human Resources diploma in Calgary, AB. In 2019, she made Saint John her home.

As the founder director of the Saint John Sea Glass Festival, Karla brings together her passion for beachcombing and her commitment to community. 

She finds joy in exploring beaches in search of sea glass all around the stunning Bay of Fundy

At the port of Saint John Karla enjoy to be part of the welcome crew. 

She treasures Saint John for its historic buildings, its warm and welcoming people, and its beautiful beaches. 

Born and raised in El Salvador she remembers her weekly family trips to the stunning beaches of The Pacific Ocean 

She relocated to Canada nine years ago and graduated in Tourism and Hospitality in Calgary AB. 

She helped her mother to create the Saint John Sea glass festival in 2022 and since then she has been part of the board of directors. 

She enjoys exploring the beautiful Bay of Fundy and collecting sea glass 

Born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada, she always had a love for being by the sea and its shores. 

She thinks there is nothing more relaxing and peaceful than having her toes in the sand, walking through the water, and seeing what treasures each wave may unveil. From a piece of sea glass, a pretty shell, or a cool looking rock, there is always something to amaze and pique her curiosity.   

In 2025, she attended her first sea glass festival in Saint John, NB.  She attended every possible class, participated in the contest, and was inspired by the beautiful pieces of art work created by the multitude of vendors, and became acquainted with Karla Rodriguez Moran who turned out to be the head and driving force behind the Saint John Sea Glass Festival.  

A few months later, she received a message from Karla asking if she would like to join the team of volunteer and help make the next festival the biggest and best ever…her response was a resounding yes, and the rest was history.

This year she joined the festival’s board of directors and she’s getting involved in planning and organizing our upcoming 5th Annual Saint John Sea Glass Festival. 

Alicia has taking great pleasure in exploring new beaches within the province and abroad with a new eye for sea glass colours, textures, shapes, and historical provenance.  

Sharing our adventures and findings with members of our social media community took the enjoyment to a whole new level. Being part of a like minded community is fun, a great source of knowledge, and a place where everyone can share their treasures proudly. 

A proud daughter of Puerto Rico who has called Minnesota home since 2000. Holding a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development and Adult Education, she has dedicated over two decades to building workforce development programs and serving her community through civic and professional organizations.

Lorna discovered the Saint John Seaglass Festival the way so many great things are found, through a friend. A post shared by Karla Rodriguez on Facebook stopped her mid-scroll. As a woman raised along the Caribbean coast, the ocean had always been part of her story, yet she had never stopped to notice the small, polished gems the sea quietly leaves behind. That discovery changed everything.

She has been making the journey to Saint John every year for the past four years and what began as curiosity has grown into something much deeper. She volunteers and also brings Puerto Rican sea glass. 

The festival has become a place where she learns, reconnects with the sea, and finds community. The friendships she has formed at the festival alive year after year, a testament to the warmth that Saint John inspires in everyone who visits.

Lorna’s story is a perfect reflection of what the Saint John Seaglass Festival continues to do: draw people from across the world  and across life experiences to a place that leaves a permanent mark on the heart.