Stepping into the role as CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance after our visionary founder is both a profound honor and a deep responsibility.  I carry forward a legacy of bold ambition and unwavering commitment to the ocean, with a clear-eyed focus on what this critical decade demands of us. The path ahead calls for urgency, clarity, and scale—and that is exactly how we will lead. 

At SOA, our mission remains rooted in two key programmatic pillars: investing in innovative ocean solutions and elevating the voices of youth driving change. In this decisive decade for our planet, we will stay laser-focused on what works: amplifying solutions with the greatest potential for measurable and lasting impact.

We will transform our innovative Solutions Program by investing in ventures with the highest potential for measurable, scalable impact—ensuring every dollar and every hour spent accelerates the regeneration and protection of our ocean. We will invest in high-potential startups through a strengthened and more targeted Ecopreneur Network, offering selected ecopreneurs world-class mentorship, expert-led workshops, and bespoke scaling support. We are here to deliver results at scale.

Equally, we are doubling down on the next generation of ocean leaders. Through the SOA Ocean Leaders Fellowship, we are embedding young changemakers into the heart of policy, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, drawing from our global network of youth-run Hubs. We will ensure youth are not only at the table—but that they are equipped, empowered, and ready to lead with purpose. Grants will continue to support grassroots efforts, helping our youth-led hubs drive initiatives that are both sustainable and scalable.

With the ocean at a tipping point, and only 2.8% effectively protected, we cannot afford half measures. We need to accelerate bold global commitments. From ratifying the High Seas Treaty and reforming harmful fishing subsidies that enable overfishing to demanding a Global Plastics Treaty viewing the entire lifecycle of plastics and a moratorium on deep-sea mining, we must move fast, act together, and think big. Less than 1% of philanthropy and 0.01% of climate finance currently reach ocean solutions. This is insufficient to meet the scale of the challenge ahead of us. We intend to change that.

In the years ahead, I will lead with humility, clarity, focus, and data, ensuring that every effort, every investment, and every partnership reflects the urgency and gravity of this moment. I will prioritize building strong systems to enable efficient and responsible stewardship of donor funds, while modeling for our youth that strong leadership and humble service go hand in hand. Together, we will ensure that SOA’s vision is not just aspirational—but an enduring, ocean-saving reality for generations to come.

This is our time, we can—and will—turn the tide.