The Island School is thrilled to announce Alexio Brown F07 as the 2026 Founders Alumni Award recipient.

Alexio joined the Semester program in Fall 2007 as one of the first Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars (BESS). Today, he serves as the Marine Conservation Program Manager at the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund, dedicating his career to protecting The Bahamas’ environment and oceans.

Alexio’s connection to The Island School spans nearly 20 years. Originally from Nassau, he developed an early interest in the marine sciences. This passion continued to flourish through high school when his marine sciences teacher shared about a high school semester program on the neighboring island of Eleuthera. When the opportunity arose to spend a semester at The Island School, he took the leap.

A Unique Educational Journey

The Fall 2007 semester marked the beginning of our long-standing partnership with the Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF) and the launch of the BESS Scholar program. As the first two scholars of this now well-established program, Alexio and his classmate, Stan Burnside, attended a semester and then completed a 6-month internship at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI). 

Like many BESS scholars, Alexio credits the program as a launching pad for his career. Following his internship, Alexio earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of The Bahamas in 2015. He later received his Master of Science degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management from The University of the West Indies in 2018. 

Between completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Alexio returned to The Island School twice. In the summer of 2014, he worked as a research assistant, and in 2015, he spent a full year working with the coral reef and lionfish programs and conducting research on Eleuthera’s blue holes to better understand their conservation needs. These experiences helped pave the way for later roles with the Bahamas National Trust, BREEF, and the Ministry of Works.

Crafting A Career Dedicated to Conservation

Today Alexio serves as the Marine Conservation Program Manager at the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF), an organization that works to sustainably finance the management of The Bahamas’ natural resources and protected areas. Established in 2014 and operationalised in 2017, BPAF supports scientific research, education, conservation, and long-term management of protected areas and national parks across the country.

Reflecting on his Island School journey, Alexio shares, “My Island School experience played a big role in my career choices and also helped to build my resume early in my career.  Interacting with the researchers at CEI not only gave me hands-on experience in the field but also aided in building a network of experts, mentors, and lifelong friends. Some of the core principles of The Island School still ring in my head today, such as place-based learning, being conscious of the resources we use, going above and beyond, and being aware of my and others’ cultural lenses. The Island School left an indelible mark on my life, and I encourage other young people to experience it for themselves and get the benefit of the Island School experience.”

As we celebrate Founders Day and the people who have shaped and carried forward The Island School’s mission, we are proud to honor Alexio with the 2026 Founders Alumni Award. His dedication to protecting The Bahamas’ marine ecosystems and his continued connection to the Island School community exemplify the spirit of stewardship, leadership, and lifelong impact that this award recognizes.