Hilly* Ann is a marine biologist, environmental advocate, an ecosystems-based approach management practitioner and university professor of environmental science at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.
Dr. Roa Quiaoit worked in culturing, producing and reseeding endangered giant clams all over the Philippines that have prevented local extinction of these organisms. She has also made significant contributions to global biodiversity with the discovery of a new species of giant clam in 2005 found only in the Red Sea.

Currently, she is now working on ecosystems-based restoration, integrated landscape seascape management and multi-stakeholder environmental governance. She founded the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance of 14 Local Government Units for integrated coastal management. And, created the R3 (ridge-river-reef) Program connecting the seascape with the landscape in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. She is the first Executive Director of the CDO River Basin Management Council and Macajalar Bay Development Alliance.

*pronounced Highly