The Ocean Awakens
2025

Fabien Lamaison is a social and climate entrepreneur and the Executive Director of Plastic Odyssey Fund, the U.S. nonprofit arm of the global Plastic Odyssey initiative. In 2024, he co-founded the Fund alongside Simon Bernard and Alexandre Dechelotte to mobilize American philanthropy, corporate partners, and innovation ecosystems in support of Plastic Odyssey’s expeditions and marine ecosystem restoration.

Based in San Francisco, Fabien leads the Fund’s strategy, partnerships, and fundraising efforts to support Plastic Odyssey’s global missions, including expeditions to some of the world’s most remote and plastic-polluted coastal environments.

Prior to Plastic Odyssey, Fabien spent more than two decades building and scaling technology ventures across fintech and impact innovation. His work focuses on developing practical, scalable solutions that connect entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and environmental action.

Daniela V. Fernandez is the Founder and CEO of VELAMAR, the pioneering asset management platform creating the infrastructure that makes ocean-driven business transformation profitable across $12+ trillion in global industries. Through VELAMAR, she is building the infrastructure necessary to make ocean health a driver of competitive advantage across the world’s largest consumer-facing industries, fundamentally reshaping how the global economy relates to ocean ecosystems.

Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for her pioneering work in ocean innovation and named One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year for her revolutionary global impact, Daniela has established herself as a leading voice in sustainable finance. Her groundbreaking approach has earned her the Silicon Valley Visionary Award for technology and entrepreneurship excellence, cementing her reputation as an innovator reshaping entire industries.

Emy Kane is the Executive Director and founding team member of Lonely Whale, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to preventing ocean plastic waste. Informed by a decade of experience in communications and impact strategy, Emy’s work is inspired by her belief that we all have a role to play in solving our greatest social and environmental challenges and that storytelling is a powerful tool to advance impact and empathy.

Jeremy Pochman is a co-founder and the CEO of 11th Hour Racing and Ocean Hour Farm. Working across both organizations, Jeremy seeks to underscore the intersection of ocean and land, and us humans, who are in the middle, and how we can push each other to find better solutions for the sea and the soil.

Nicolette van Exel (Nico) is the Founder and CEO of Exel Impact, advancing solutions in the blue economy. With over two decades driving sustainability, social impact, and climate initiatives—including executive roles at Fortune 500 companies, hands-on work with frontline communities across Asia, Africa, and India, and expeditions in remote natural environments—she has seen firsthand the deep links between business, finance, communities, and ocean health. Nico founded Exel Impact to bridge sectors, unlock collaboration, and channel resources toward regenerative ocean solutions, helping leaders turn ambitious ideas into measurable impact for oceans, communities, and the planet.

Raphaëlle Archambeaud-Sicot is the Chief Sustainability Officer at L’Occitane en Provence. In this strategic role, she spearheaded initiatives like B Corp certification for the L’Occitane Group. Her work focuses on generating positive change through sustainable farming practices and philanthropic efforts, reflecting her belief that businesses are pivotal in driving the transition to a sustainable future. Raphaëlle acts as both ambassador and facilitator, working across teams to set ambitious biodiversity and climate targets.

Michael is an automotive engineer turned impact entrepreneur in sustainable mobility. He began his career in 2008 designing low-emission vehicles for Stellantis. After graduating from an MBA in Entrepreneurship in 2014, he co-founded Drust, a connected-car data platform, raising $10M before selling the technology to Continental. In 2019, he joined a SoftBank-backed start-up as its first employee, building strategic partnerships in autonomous mobility. In 2022, he co-founded VELA, a next-generation shipping company operating a fleet of low carbon, wind-powered, cargo vessels between Europe and the USA, where he now leads finance and international expansion as Managing Director and Executive Chair.

Julia Marsh is a multidisciplinary designer who spent over a decade building brand and packaging systems for consumer packaged goods companies, technology startups, and design studios. She was the first in-house designer hired at Brandless and helped the company launch in 2017. Sway was born from a lifetime affection for the ocean, and the belief that designers can create practical solutions for the planet’s greatest problems. Julia holds an MFA in Design from the School of Visual Arts in New York, where her work earned her the Paula Rhodes Award for Exceptional Achievement in Design.

Lea d’Auriol is the Founder and Executive Director of Oceanic Global (OG), an international ocean conservation non-profit that consults on sustainable operations, creates educational experiences and engages local communities to generate measurable impact for the ocean and our collective wellbeing. Since founding OG in 2016, Lea has steered the organization in transitioning hundreds of global businesses towards more sustainable practices, as well as in shaping environmental policy in countries including Spain, Barbados, and the U.S.

Under her leadership, Oceanic Global has grown both its presence and its impact into major international cities including New York, London, Barcelona, LA, and Hong Kong, and has been invited to participate as the official non-profit and production partner to the United Nations World Oceans Day since 2019. A social entrepreneur and conservationist, Lea has spoken at renowned international conferences such as ChangeNow Summit, The Nexus Summit, The Nest Summit, EarthX, Ultramarine, The Explorers Club Ocean Week as well as at the United Nations. Her work has been featured by leading publications including WWD, The New York Observer, National Geographic, BBC, Forbes, and Vogue.

Dr. Sarah Hameed is a marine conservation scientist dedicated to advancing effective protection for the global ocean and all the life it supports. As Senior Scientist at Marine Conservation Institute, she leads the Blue Parks initiative, which accelerates effective marine protected areas that conserve biodiversity and support resilient ecosystems. With expertise spanning ecology, conservation strategy, and policy, Sarah works with governments, scientists, and communities to close the gap between conservation targets and real outcomes—nurturing a thriving, resilient ocean for generations to come.

Alexandre Dechelotte is a former Merchant Navy officer and self-taught entrepreneur. A graduate of the French National Maritime Academy (ENSM), he spent years navigating commercial vessels, particularly in Asia, where he witnessed firsthand the scale of ocean plastic pollution. That experience marked a turning point in his career.

In 2016, he co-founded Plastic Odyssey with Simon Bernard. Today, he oversees the organization’s development, communications, and partnerships while remaining closely connected to expedition work. His maritime background informs a pragmatic, field-oriented approach to building solutions that can operate under real-world constraints.

Mitchelle De Leon is the chief impact officer at SkyTruth, a conservation technology nonprofit that uses satellite imagery and AI to expose environmental threats. He leads global initiatives and partnerships to advance data-driven climate action and biodiversity protection. Previously, he was a senior associate at CEA Consulting’s Environmental Policy & Advocacy group, where he consulted for environmental nonprofit organizations and sustainability-oriented businesses for over five years on dam removal and river restoration, climate change mitigation, and other topics.

Omar Sadoon is a Lifecycle Analyst and Project Developer specializing in ocean carbon removal initiatives, with a focus on launching innovative environmental impact projects that drive climate solutions. He plays a pivotal role in project development for leading carbon removal ventures, including work with Planetary, one of the XPRIZE Carbon Removal XFactor winners.

Benjamin Von Wong is a disruptive environmental artist who creates large-scale installations at global gatherings, transforming discarded materials into potent symbols of change. Notable achievements include a Guinness World Record installation crafted from 168,000 plastic straws, a striking 2.5-story Biodiversity Jenga tower showcased at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, and a dramatic 4-story Plastic Faucet that highlighted the urgency of plastic pollution during the signing of the Global Plastic Treaty Resolution signed at the United Nations Environment Program headquarters.

His work has been featured at marquee events such as the World Economic Forum, COP, and Art Basel, and he has collaborated with prestigious brands, including Nike, Dell, and Starbucks. Von Wong meticulously documents every project, elevating his community collaborators and stakeholders while providing a collection of multimedia resources for press, non-profit, and government organizations. Thanks to his generous donors, his work has generated billions of views and continues to be used worldwide to support grassroots organizations, educational institutions, and community-led initiatives that champion environmental justice.

Andi Cross is Co-Founder of Edges of Earth and a strategist, writer, and professional diver dedicated to redefining how businesses coexist with the natural world. With 15 years of experience scaling major corporations and nearly a decade in marine and terrestrial conservation, she bridges corporate ambition with environmental responsibility to build futures where people and planet thrive.

Since 2017, she has served as Strategist in Residence at H/L Ventures, helping underserved founders grow purpose-driven companies. Previously, she was Vice President of Strategic Growth at Huge, Inc., and worked with global brands during her tenure at Ogilvy & Mather and other leading agencies. In 2018, she launched her own sustainability consultancy after field expeditions revealed the gap between ESG strategies and frontline realities. Since then, she has collaborated with experts across 45+ countries to drive measurable climate solutions.

Ana Blanco joined the International Ocean Film Foundation in 2011 with more than a decade of experience in executive nonprofit management with several prominent Bay Area non-profit organizations.

Dr. Hanna Dijkstra is a sustainability scientist, plastic pollution researcher, and science communicator. She holds a PhD from VU Amsterdam, where her research focused on sustainable business models and entrepreneurship for plastic management. She joined the Plastic Odyssey expedition to Henderson Island, one of the most polluted beaches in the world, as the on-board scientist. She now works as a researcher, writer, and consultant and supports the Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty in the UN treaty negotiations.

Mark Haver is a fierce advocate for the ocean, climate, and sustainable fashion. He has been involved in Sustainable Ocean Alliance for over 7 years. He has helped to build their youth policy program, and he has organized young leaders for ocean action in Canada and the U.S. as SOA’s North America Regional Representative. Through his consulting firm, BlueGreen Generation, he has worked on projects including Deep Rising and a sustainable fashion festival at World Pride. Both through social media and in-person, Mark is a dedicated community builder, and his enthusiasm for bringing together people for the planet is contagious.

Inspired by the dynamics of sailboat racing and the urgency for climate action, 11th Hour Racing is committed to the health and resilience of ocean systems. Supporting innovative, sustainable solutions in the maritime industry and beyond through sport, storytelling and grant-making, 11th Hour Racing works to build healthy planetary systems and strong communities. Under the 11th Hour Racing umbrella, activities are provided through 11th Hour Racing, Inc., which serves as the impact entity and provides programmatic direction to its philanthropic partners, including 11th Hour Racing Charitable, LLC, which engages in charitable work, and 11th Hour Racing Action, LLC, which engages in social welfare programs and advocacy.

Edges of Earth is a team of modern explorers at the frontlines of change—from remote rainforests to disappearing kelp forests and polar extremes. Equal parts strategists, storytellers, professional divers, and field researchers, they view the world’s most pressing climate challenges through a rare lens. By embedding with local experts and communities, they translate real-world insights and lived data into actionable strategies that help brands, nonprofits, and institutions navigate the space between doing well and doing good. Currently the team is on a multi-year expedition, exploring over 45 countries, reaching 250 locations, interviewing over 2,000 people and publishing over 375 stories across 15 media outlets in which they have regular columns.

Exel Impact accelerates progress in the blue economy by bridging business, capital, and ocean communities. We help organizations align strategy, direct funding to ocean regeneration, and support leaders driving climate and ocean innovation. What sets us apart is combining strategic guidance with immersive, ocean-based experiences that connect decision-makers directly to the ecosystems and communities they impact. By closing the ocean funding gap and scaling practical solutions, we help build a blue economy that works for people, nature, and the planet.

The Maison L’Occitane en Provence offers since 1976 a luxury range of skincare, fragrances, and wellbeing products enriched with authentic natural ingredients. Continuing to honor the Provençal art de vivre, L’Occitane en Provence draws from local traditions and craftsmanship to share more than skincare products: genuine experiences of well-being, enriching for ourselves, our relationship with others and Nature. Today, the Maison brings Provence to life for its customers, through more than 3,000 boutiques, 100 spas, 3000 partner hotels and one brand hotel in particular, Le Couvent des Minimes, un Hôtel et Spa L’Occitane en Provence.

Lonely Whale is an award-winning non-profit whose mission ensures plastic waste does not find its way into the ocean. Founded in 2015 by Adrian Grenier and Lucy Sumner, Lonely Whale has spearheaded impactful global movements to raise awareness and offer alternatives to problematic plastics, convened a consortium of multi-national brands to create the first global network of ocean bound plastic supply chains, and supported the global youth movement with the tools and network needed to advance their efforts. Lonely Whale is fiscally sponsored by Re:wild, an organization established by a group of renowned conservation scientists and Leonardo DiCaprio to protect and restore the wild – the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human health crises.

Marine Conservation Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing permanent, strong protection for the ocean’s most important places. Guided by the best available science, the institute works to safeguard marine biodiversity through innovative global initiatives like Blue Parks, which accelerates effective marine protected areas, and the Marine Protection Atlas, the most trusted source of global MPA information. With its highly collaborative approach, Marine Conservation Institute drives meaningful progress toward safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term vitality of our planet’s ocean.

Founded in 2016, Oceanic Global (OG) reconnects humanity to the ocean as the beating heart of the earth, and provides tangible solutions and blueprints for coexisting in harmony with the natural world. The 501c3 non-profit builds tools, mobilizes communities, and develops educational resources and standards that inspire global action and catalyze cross-sector change. In 2018, Oceanic Global launched the Blue Standard (Blue), a first-of-its-kind cross industry standard that establishes universal accountability for responsible business leadership, with over 500+ global businesses in 55+ countries and 7 global governments engaged to date. Oceanic Global is based in New York with international hubs and volunteer bases in New York, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Tulum, and Hong Kong. Reflective of its global reach, the organization has additionally been the official non-profit and production contributor to United Nations World Oceans Day since 2019.

As a pioneer of the canned water space, Open Water has eliminated the need for over 150 million plastic bottles with their 100% infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles and cans. The still and sparkling water inside is crafted and sourced with intention to be as high quality and low impact as possible. In addition to eliminating plastic, they are dedicated to a net zero future, which means measuring their entire carbon footprint and investing in emissions reductions projects (like wind farms and refrigerant clean up efforts). A portion of every sale also flows into their Sea Change Grants program, supporting ocean conservation nonprofits, like Plastic Odyssey.

Planetary advances seawater restoration using a process called coastal ocean alkalinity enhancement. We add natural alkaline minerals to water at existing facilities—like power plants or wastewater treatment sites—before it flows back to the ocean. This helps reduce acidity, protect marine ecosystems, and support the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. We work closely with local partners, scientists, and regulators each step of the way.

Plastic Odyssey is a global nonprofit tackling the ocean plastic crisis through bold cleanup expeditions, long-term stewardship of marine ecosystems, field-based research and innovation, and education that inspires lasting change.

Plastic Odyssey Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco, created to mobilize U.S. philanthropies, corporations, governments, and individual donors in support of Plastic Odyssey’s global mission. Contributions are channeled to Plastic Odyssey Foundation and Plastic Odyssey Expedition, funding coastal cleanup, marine restoration, and public awareness across the blue economy.

SkyTruth is a conservation technology nonprofit that utilizes satellite imagery, machine learning, and big data to make hidden environmental problems visible, measurable, and actionable. SkyTruth envisions a world where everyone enjoys a healthy environment and sustainable livelihood because transparency is the norm: polluters know they will be seen and caught, industries have cleaned up their practices, and governments are vigorously enforcing environmental protection.

The South Street Seaport Museum, located in the heart of the historic Seaport District, preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. Founded in 1967, the Seaport Museum includes an extensive collection of works of art and artifacts, a maritime reference library, galleries, working 19th-century print shop, and a fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of “Where New York Begins.”

Accelerating startups and community-led nonprofit projects around the world, Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) activates young people, develops and implements innovative solutions, and mobilizes the global movement to restore the health of the ocean in our lifetime. SOA has cultivated the world’s largest network of next-gen leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, mentors, and partners—all working to create solutions for the largest challenges facing our ocean.

Sway is a material innovation company scaling compostable solutions for plastic made with seaweed. Our patented products match the vital performance attributes of conventional plastics and plug into existing infrastructure, enabling scale and impact. Unlike plastic, Sway materials integrate abundant, regenerative resources and decompose into healthy soil after use, completing the loop of biological circularity. Our market presence is rapidly expanding through partnerships with leading global packaging distributors and exemplary brands including J.Crew, Burton, Florence, prAna, and Faherty. In 2024, Sway was named a Fast Company World-Changing Idea. In 2023, Sway won first place in the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize. As a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and 1% for the Planet, Sway is working holistically to ensure our solutions catalyze a thriving, equitable future. Sway is headquartered in the California Bay Area.

Vela - Sail for Goods designs and operates a fleet of new generation, 100% wind-powered, sailing cargo vessels offering a fast, reliable, and highly decarbonized international freight solution. By combining cutting-edge ocean racing technologies with a premium logistics service inspired from air freight standards, VELA provides an unparalleled alternative to conventional air and sea freight. Clients benefit from up to 99% lower carbon emissions, shorter lead times, and enhanced product integrity and traceability. Focusing first on the Europe-USA route, Vela offers transatlantic shipping in less than 15 days. The company plans to expand its routes in the future.

VELAMAR is the pioneering asset management platform creating the infrastructure that makes ocean-driven business transformation profitable across $12+ trillion in global industries. We envision a world where private capital flows seamlessly into sustainable ocean industries, fueling innovation, modernizing critical systems, and strengthening the global economy. By bridging today’s capital gap with tomorrow’s investment architecture, VELAMAR is shaping the future of ocean finance, resilient, data-driven, and built for scale.

Benjamin Von Wong is a multidisciplinary visual artist and activist who uses recycled and reclaimed materials to create striking work around the intersection of humanity’s biggest issues – from climate change to social justice. Leading from the principle that the world’s largest issues are intertwined, Von Wong endeavors to co-create work with communities to help build more resilient ecosystems. His work often invites organizations and citizens to directly participate in the artistic process. His art has been viewed and shared hundreds of millions of times worldwide and has earned a reputation for sparking conversation.