SOA Board of Directors

  • Daniela Fernandez

    Daniela V. Fernandez

    SOA FOUNDER & CEO

    Daniela is an award-winning social entrepreneur, thought leader, and internationally sought-after speaker on the entrepreneurial mindset, ocean innovation, technology, youth empowerment, and sustainability. 

    At the age At the age of 19, Daniela founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance as a college-room idea at Georgetown University. Five years later, SOA has created the world's largest network of young Ocean Leaders in over 150 countries and launched the world's first Ocean Solutions Accelerator to support developing technological solutions to address the greatest threats facing our planet.
    Daniela has been recognized for her work by former U.S. Secretary John Kerry, U.S. President Bill Clinton, and E.U. Commissioner Karmenu Vella. She is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and a member of Friends of Ocean Action—a select group of leaders working to fast-track solutions to ocean challenges. She was awarded the 2020 Rising Star Visionary Award by the Silicon Valley Forum and named a 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur. Other awards and recognitions include Glamour Magazine's College Women of the Year, Zula's Top 5 Ocean Heroes of 2016, the Peter Benchley Ocean Award, and the Bustle Upstart Award. Daniela is a contributor to National Geographic and Sustainable Brands, and has been interviewed by Voice of America, New York City TV, and Ocean Radio. She has served as a keynote speaker at The Economist World Ocean Summit, the Global Climate Summit, The Global Convening of Mayors, The United Nations, U.S. Capitol Hill Ocean Week, Collision Conference, Sustainable Brands Conference, WE Day, and Davos 2019 - The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.

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  • OConnor_Bob HI

    Bob O'Connor

    CORPORATE PARTNER, WSGR

    Robert (Bob) O'Connor is a corporate partner with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Bob's global practice focuses on the representation of high-growth enterprises, with an emphasis on those innovating in the energy, infrastructure, mobility, consumer products, and sustainability sectors, as well as the representation of venture capital and private equity firms, corporate venture groups, family offices, and impact investors that finance them.

    Bob is credited with having founded the firm's energy and infrastructure practice in 2003 and co-leads the firm's industry initiative today, which includes a cross-disciplinary team that is widely viewed as being among the preeminent energy and infrastructure practices in the country. Nationally recognized as a thought leader in the sector, Bob is a frequent speaker at prominent industry events nationally, and he is a go-to strategic partner to universities, laboratories, and accelerators committed to technology commercialization directed at energy and infrastructure innovation.

    Prior to founding the firm's energy and infrastructure practice, Bob founded and served as managing partner of the firm's Salt Lake City office, during which time Bob represented many of the leading venture capital and private equity investors and technology enterprises in the region, including Altiris (sold to Symantec), NPS Pharmaceuticals, Omniture (sold to Adobe Systems), and Overstock.com. Bob also serves on the board of directors of the WSGR Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle for the firm's partners to support charitable and other community organizations.

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  • Eric Brisson

    Eric Brisson

    CO-FOUNDER, RESONANCE PHILANTHROPIES

    Eric Brisson, a native of France, is an impact investor with a love for adventure, exploration and a passionate commitment to preserving our oceans while finding sustainable means to reduce the potentially catastrophic global impact of climate change.

    A mentor and family man, Eric has been proud of his role as an impact investor watching the businesses, nonprofits and other NGOs he seeks to invest in grow and evolve. 

    He is known for his business acumen, love of all things nature, and his humble character. Transitioning from a highly successful career in the tech industry, Eric is laser-focused on supporting and investing with these NGOs, and businesses who connect with his purpose-based passion of responsibly caring for our earth’s natural resources.

    Eric believes deeply in the concepts of stewardship and collaboration. It is widely recognized and accepted that no single organization alone can solve these complex environmental problems we, collectively, have created. Eric is co-founder of Resonance Philanthropies, Managing Director of Sobrato Impact and a board member of OnlyOne(Lonely Whale), Plastic Solutions Fund, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and The Global Terracycle Foundation. Despite his busy lifestyle helping grow these businesses in his portfolio, Eric maintains an active practice of spirituality and physical fitness to maintain his resiliency and serve as a role model with a global world view. Eric does this through meditation, reading and exciting physical activities, such as rock-climbing, sailing, skiing and paragliding in the beautiful outdoor environment he is dedicated to restoring and healing.
    Eric has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Université Nice Sophia Antipolis and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Université Pierre et Marie Curie. Eric has built and scaled many companies, including as the CRO of a tech software company that was acquired by IBM. A true businessman, Eric is known for taking complex problems and finding quick, simple resolutions. His background allows him to strengthen the network of concerned global citizens, organizations, as well as governmental agencies that must work in a participatory partnership.
    He resides in Northern California with his Wife and foundation partner Sheri and their two children.

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  • Kim Kolt Headshot

    Kim Kolt

    FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, FOR GOOD VENTURES

    Kim Kolt is the Founder & President of For Good Ventures, a family office investment strategy backing disruptive, exceptional technologies benefiting humanity and the environment. 

    Prior to For Good Ventures, Kim worked at Goldman Sachs in their Technology, Media and Telecom Investment Banking Groups in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Deutsche Bank Mergers & Acquisitions Group in NYC. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and received her MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Kim has held designations including USGBC LEED, CCIM, and Series 79 license.

    Kim is also a board member of Turntide Technologies, Legends of Learning, and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. She is an advisor to impact-focused companies, funds and nonprofits.  Kim is a partner at Gratitude Railroad, member of Astia Angels, Nexus, X-Prize, Penn Venture Labs Judge, and a Summit Fellow.

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  • Trond Wuellner

    Trond Wuellner

    DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, YOUTUBE

    Trond Wuellner is a Director of Product Management for YouTube focused on creator empowerment, an Angel Investor and a long time Ocean advocate and mentor with Sustainable Ocean Alliance.

    Prior to joining YouTube, Trond worked at Google for nearly 14 years leading new technology development for global products. He helped design and launch Chrome OS and lead development for Google WiFi and Google’s Pixelbook line of laptops and tablets. Within Alphabet, Trond serves as an Ambassador to the Product Management steering committee and helps lead talent development and hiring programs across the company.


    Trond earned his Bachelors of Science in Engineering in Computer Science from the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. Trond is also a board member of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, advisor to high-impact technology companies, an investor in more than 25 early stage businesses and an active member of the Hustle Fund Angel Squad.

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  • Brekke_David

    David Brekke

    SENIOR ASSOCIATE, GOODWIN LAW

    Dave is a senior associate at the Austin office of Goodwin Law, where his practice focuses on corporate formations, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic transactions, and corporate governance.

    Goodwin's clients operate primarily in the renewable energy and sustainability technology spaces. David advises founders, investors, and early- to mid-stage companies as they bring technologies that improve our world to the market, to scale and to profitability.

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  • Jitendra headshot

    Jitendra Kavathekar

    GLOBAL VP, SALESFORCE

    Jitendra is a Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Investor with an extensive track record in bringing the "new" to market at scale. He is currently Global Vice President at Salesforce.

    Jitendra leads Salesforce's top tier joint partnership with Accenture globally across all industries. He is also responsible for driving the adoption of the salesforce sustainability product, Net Zero Cloud, in the market through the Salesforce ecosystem. Prior to Salesforce, he co-founded and led Accenture Ventures and Open Innovation to be a force multiplier of innovation at scale for their clients globally. He has led product development for iconic tech companies such as Yahoo, Motorola, Palm, and HP pioneering their milestone "firsts" with award winning products. As CEO, advisor, and investor he has brought young startups funded by industry leading Venture Capitalists to market. Jitendra is driven by a passion to devote his energies to help realize powerful visions, bring out the best in dedicated teams, and find the sweet spot where tech, business and need meet.

    Jitendra holds a Masters Degree in Computer Science from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , and an honorary Doctorate Degree from ITU. He is a Fellow at the Tribeca Disruptor Foundation, Jury at the Cannes Lion Awards, and Product Development leader for an Emmy Award nominated product among several other honors throughout his career. He lives in Silicon Valley with his family and enjoys a diverse set of hobbies and interests.

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  • Eva

    Eva Zlotnicka

    FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER, INCLUSIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS

    Eva T. Zlotnicka is a Founder, Managing Partner, President, and member of the Management Committee of Inclusive Capital Partners. Just prior to founding Inclusive Capital Partners, she was a Founder and Managing Director of the ValueAct Spring Fund (now known as Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Fund) and Head of Stewardship at ValueAct Capital. 

    Prior to joining ValueAct Capital in 2018, Ms. Zlotnicka spent more than 10 years on the sell side. Most recently, she was US lead Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) equity research analyst at Morgan Stanley. Ms. Zlotnicka is currently a director of Enviva Inc., where she chairs the Health, Safety, Sustainability, and Environmental Committee, Unifi, Inc. and Arcadia Power. Ms. Zlotnicka was previously a director of Hawaiian Electric Industries. Ms. Zlotnicka also serves as a member of the Investor Advisory Group for the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), is a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Corporate Governance and Finance at NYU Law, and is a director of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Aircela Inc.

    Ms. Zlotnicka also co-founded Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy (WISE), a global professional community. She has two B.S.c. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including one from the Wharton School, and an M.B.A. and a Master of Environmental Science degree from Yale University.

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  • Christina Ochoa

    Christina Ochoa

    ACTRESS, ACTIVIST, SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

    Christina is an actress, activist, and science communicator.  She is currently starring in TNT's "Animal Kingdom" as well as opposite Tommy Flanagan in Neal McDonough's thriller movie sequel, "BOON." 

    You can also see her in ABC’s “A Million Little Things”, CW’s “Valor” , along with several others.  Christina is the grandniece of Nobel Prize winner Severo Ochoa, daughter of sculptor Victor Ochoa, and her entire life she was surrounded by members of both the scientific and artistic academies. After graduating she went on to study Oceanographic Engineering at Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, and advanced Marine Biology studies in James Cook University - Australia. Soon after, she started gaining interest in performing arts and content development. She has successfully worked in both mediums ever since.

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