The Board

Elisa Vanelli
Elisa is a sculptor whose work explores the sacred relationship between humans, nature, and the unseen. Born in Italy and having lived in the south of France for over 13 years, Elisa is fluent in five languages and holds a Master’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures. Her lifelong love of language—spoken, written, and visual—shapes her view of art as a powerful form of communication that transcends words. Elisa’s practice is deeply elemental. She works primarily with clay, a medium she honors as the perfect expression of the four elements: it is earth by origin, shaped with water, dried by air, and transformed by fire.
Based in Massachusetts, Elisa is also the Exhibition Chair of the New England Sculptors Association and is currently preparing her first immersive solo exhibition, Remembering Through Sacred Frequencies, for 2026.
In 2024, she was selected as a New England Emerging Artist by Art in New England.

Jason Burnett

Jason Burnett is an independent filmmaker and storyteller who relocated to Cape Ann, Massachusetts, to explore the intense connections between the sea and our wellness. Jason transitioned into the creative arts through his founding of Bear Cove Productions with an intense focus on human-centered, locally grounded documentary filmmaking.

His current project, The Magic Coast, is an ongoing docuseries that highlights the people, places, and stories that define life along Cape Ann’s unique shoreline. Through his lens, Jason seeks to capture the intangible qualities that make coastal communities both resilient and magical.

Jason joined the Atlantis board to support Elisa Vanelli’s visionary project, a public art installation that reflects themes of transformation and our shared relationship with the sea. He brings to the board his experience in documentary production and a deep commitment to nurturing the creative spirit of Cape Ann.

Christian Peyla

Christian Peyla brings decades of leadership, technical expertise, and organizational insight to the TideKeepers Board. He is the founder of PG Trionic, a company he established in 1995 after 20 years with Sevcon Inc., where he held key management roles in engineering, manufacturing, and operations across both the U.S. and Europe.

Now retired, Christian serves on the board of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and remains deeply connected to Cape Ann’s maritime heritage. His lifelong passion for the ocean and the natural world inspires his commitment to community-based environmental and cultural projects. With his sharp eye for structure, discipline, and integrity, Christian brings the steady presence of a seasoned executive to the artistic and visionary world of the TideKeepers.

Rafael Ramirez

Rafael Ramirez is a retired restaurateur with a deep love for cooking and creating meaningful connections through food and hospitality. In the latter part of his career, he also worked in financial services, bringing a strong sense of discipline and balance to both fields.

A passionate cyclist for many years, Rafael completed numerous long-distance rides, including a memorable solo journey in 1994 from Wall Street in Boston to Wall Street in New York City over two and a half days, raising funds in support of the AIDS community.

Rafael moved to Manchester-by-the-Sea four years ago, where a chance meeting at Singing Beach—through his dog Goliath and Elisa’s dog Beaux—sparked a meaningful friendship. He was honored to be invited to join the TideKeepers Foundation and is proud to contribute to a project that unites environmental stewardship, public art, and community legacy.