We are a small yet high impact non-profit organization
accelerating ocean protection by connecting people to the ocean.
accelerating ocean protection by connecting people to the ocean.
OUR FOUNDER
"Who can talk about the ocean better than one who has spent a decade at sea as a salty senior ocean campaigner for Greenpeace? Farah is an original thinker and an encyclopaedic brain trust of marine conservation knowledge. Farah for the ocean is like a great free dive with perfect visibility and warm calm water. So good … “
Mark Benjamin, Filmmaker - OCEAN WARRIORS, New York, NY |
Farah Obaidullah
With 24 years of professional experience, 20 of which in ocean advocacy, Farah Obaidullah has travelled the world as a Greenpeace advocate, observing the beauty of the ocean and witnessing some of the most egregious practices happening at sea. With a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Imperial College in London, Farah has executed campaigns to end destructive fishing, worked with affected communities, lobbied for ocean protection and been deeply involved in exposing fish crimes, including slavery and labour abuse at sea. In 2017 Farah set up Women4Oceans (W4O), a platform to elevate women's voices and participation in the ocean space. It now continues as a project of The Ocean and Us.
Currently, Farah is leading a crucial campaign alongside hundreds of scientists, civil society groups, and businesses. They are advocating for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, an emerging industry that poses a significant threat to deep-sea ecosystems. The consequences of disturbing locked-away carbon are yet unknown, making this campaign all the more urgent and necessary.
Farah's perspective on ocean conservation is deeply rooted in her global experiences. As a bicultural and biracial individual, she embraces human diversity and believes that it is a key to preserving our ocean planet. She considers herself a citizen of the world, a viewpoint that enriches her understanding and approach to her work.
With 24 years of professional experience, 20 of which in ocean advocacy, Farah Obaidullah has travelled the world as a Greenpeace advocate, observing the beauty of the ocean and witnessing some of the most egregious practices happening at sea. With a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Imperial College in London, Farah has executed campaigns to end destructive fishing, worked with affected communities, lobbied for ocean protection and been deeply involved in exposing fish crimes, including slavery and labour abuse at sea. In 2017 Farah set up Women4Oceans (W4O), a platform to elevate women's voices and participation in the ocean space. It now continues as a project of The Ocean and Us.
Currently, Farah is leading a crucial campaign alongside hundreds of scientists, civil society groups, and businesses. They are advocating for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, an emerging industry that poses a significant threat to deep-sea ecosystems. The consequences of disturbing locked-away carbon are yet unknown, making this campaign all the more urgent and necessary.
Farah's perspective on ocean conservation is deeply rooted in her global experiences. As a bicultural and biracial individual, she embraces human diversity and believes that it is a key to preserving our ocean planet. She considers herself a citizen of the world, a viewpoint that enriches her understanding and approach to her work.
OUR TEAM
Yaris Ng Pang - Operations Lead (linkedin)
Yaris has 10 years of experience in strategy implementation, business development, and community partnerships in both for-profits and nonprofits. She leverages her experience leading large-scale programs and working with grassroots organizations to manage the Ocean Hope Project. She ensures the team is supported, recruits collaborators, and builds partnerships with local organizations in Central and South America using her native Spanish-speaking skills.
Laurie Foulon - Marketing and Partnerships Lead (linkedin)
Laurie is a passionate ocean storyteller and adventurer. She combines her skills in high-end travel marketing with purposeful missions to empower humans to speak against ecological disasters, such as deep-sea mining. She leads the Marketing and Partnerships for The Ocean Hope Project, including writing editorials and newsletters, building digital campaigns, and working with partners to amplify the Ocean Hope Expedition.
Costanza Rinaldi - Communications and Media Relations Lead (linkedin)
Costanza is a journalist and communication strategist with more than 15 years of experience. She loves using compelling storytelling to make a positive impact. As the communication leader, Costanza oversees the editorial strategy of all content produced, from the website to social media and external communication.
Iton Egopija - Fundraising and Grant Lead (linkedin)
Iton has a wealth of experience in fundraising and grant writing for development and humanitarian NGOs in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is passionate about gender equality, sustainable development, the oceans, and community development. As a pivotal part of the fundraising team, Iton plays a significant role in securing vital resources to support the Ocean and Us Expedition.
Katherine Rocchio - Social Media Lead (linkedin)
Katherine is a sustainability consultant and a coastal girl. She is a copywriter and social media expert on topics related to conservation and biodiversity. As part of the Communications team, she manages the social media channels building our community and keeping it engaged and updated.
Alexandra Stote - Logistics and Research Lead (linkedin)
Alex is based in Seattle, Washington. She is a trained marine ecologist with deep experience in science to inform decision-making, community engagement, and program management. As part of our Logistics and Research team, Alex plays a role in all things related to planning, including budgeting and itinerary creation for the North America section.
Jen Pickett - Logistics and Research Lead (linkedin)
Jen is a business owner, fisher poet, and scientist who has worked for more than twenty years in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, both as captain and crew. Jen is the local Alaskan contact for the Logistics and Research team, contributing to the boots-on-the-ground logistics and itinerary in Alaska and North America.
Alexandra Filippova, PhD (linkedIn)
Alexandra is a trained marine geochemist with years of research experience, project development and management, and fundraising. As a part of our Logistics and Research team, Alexandra is responsible for planning the expedition leg in South America, including budget preparation, itinerary, and collaboration efforts.
Angela Martin (linkedIn)
Angela works to advance understanding and recognition of the role of marine life in ocean carbon cycling and storage, and the potential importance for climate change mitigation. Angela graduated from the University of Essex with a Master's degree in marine biology, and previously worked as a lead for Blue Climate Solutions, before which she worked on the conservation and management of dugongs and their seagrass habitats with the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Dugong MoU Secretariat in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Angela lives in the UK and is finalising her PhD in blue carbon.
Sarah Berchild, Purpose Design Co - Website Design (linkedIn)
Partnering with companies who prioritize environmental sustainability and advancing women through technology, UX, and design. Sarah's team designs engaging experiences driving customer loyalty for companies championing climate & women-focused products. She is a former design executive at Disney, Salesforce, IBM, Paypal, Golden State Warriors.
Yaris has 10 years of experience in strategy implementation, business development, and community partnerships in both for-profits and nonprofits. She leverages her experience leading large-scale programs and working with grassroots organizations to manage the Ocean Hope Project. She ensures the team is supported, recruits collaborators, and builds partnerships with local organizations in Central and South America using her native Spanish-speaking skills.
Laurie Foulon - Marketing and Partnerships Lead (linkedin)
Laurie is a passionate ocean storyteller and adventurer. She combines her skills in high-end travel marketing with purposeful missions to empower humans to speak against ecological disasters, such as deep-sea mining. She leads the Marketing and Partnerships for The Ocean Hope Project, including writing editorials and newsletters, building digital campaigns, and working with partners to amplify the Ocean Hope Expedition.
Costanza Rinaldi - Communications and Media Relations Lead (linkedin)
Costanza is a journalist and communication strategist with more than 15 years of experience. She loves using compelling storytelling to make a positive impact. As the communication leader, Costanza oversees the editorial strategy of all content produced, from the website to social media and external communication.
Iton Egopija - Fundraising and Grant Lead (linkedin)
Iton has a wealth of experience in fundraising and grant writing for development and humanitarian NGOs in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is passionate about gender equality, sustainable development, the oceans, and community development. As a pivotal part of the fundraising team, Iton plays a significant role in securing vital resources to support the Ocean and Us Expedition.
Katherine Rocchio - Social Media Lead (linkedin)
Katherine is a sustainability consultant and a coastal girl. She is a copywriter and social media expert on topics related to conservation and biodiversity. As part of the Communications team, she manages the social media channels building our community and keeping it engaged and updated.
Alexandra Stote - Logistics and Research Lead (linkedin)
Alex is based in Seattle, Washington. She is a trained marine ecologist with deep experience in science to inform decision-making, community engagement, and program management. As part of our Logistics and Research team, Alex plays a role in all things related to planning, including budgeting and itinerary creation for the North America section.
Jen Pickett - Logistics and Research Lead (linkedin)
Jen is a business owner, fisher poet, and scientist who has worked for more than twenty years in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, both as captain and crew. Jen is the local Alaskan contact for the Logistics and Research team, contributing to the boots-on-the-ground logistics and itinerary in Alaska and North America.
Alexandra Filippova, PhD (linkedIn)
Alexandra is a trained marine geochemist with years of research experience, project development and management, and fundraising. As a part of our Logistics and Research team, Alexandra is responsible for planning the expedition leg in South America, including budget preparation, itinerary, and collaboration efforts.
Angela Martin (linkedIn)
Angela works to advance understanding and recognition of the role of marine life in ocean carbon cycling and storage, and the potential importance for climate change mitigation. Angela graduated from the University of Essex with a Master's degree in marine biology, and previously worked as a lead for Blue Climate Solutions, before which she worked on the conservation and management of dugongs and their seagrass habitats with the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Dugong MoU Secretariat in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Angela lives in the UK and is finalising her PhD in blue carbon.
Sarah Berchild, Purpose Design Co - Website Design (linkedIn)
Partnering with companies who prioritize environmental sustainability and advancing women through technology, UX, and design. Sarah's team designs engaging experiences driving customer loyalty for companies championing climate & women-focused products. She is a former design executive at Disney, Salesforce, IBM, Paypal, Golden State Warriors.
OUR BOARD
Olivia Langhoff, Chairwoman
Olivia holds a degree in environmental engineering and has been campaigning on human rights and environmental justice for more than two decades. She has led global and regional programs, including on oceans, deforestation, and climate change. Recently, Olivia moved to the Netherlands after living in Germany, the UK, South Africa, and Switzerland. She is the Campaign Director of 350.org.
Nathalie Rey, Secretary
Nathalie has over two decades of experience in environmental advocacy, consultancy and human rights policy, engagement and political strategy. Among her previous roles, Nathalie worked as a senior oceans political advisor and as the deputy director of the Political and Business Unit for Greenpeace International. Her experience includes attending and leading delegations at international environmental meetings such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, and ocean-related negotiations at the United Nations General Assembly.
Rita Brouwer, Treasurer
Rita is a retired school teacher and active member of the Scheveningen community where she sits on various committees. Rita’s experience spans five decades. She has sat on numerous boards including on the Board of the International School of the Hague. From being the only woman on the advisory committee of her housing cooperative where her ideas are often hijacked and claimed by her male colleagues to marrying into a culture where women simply do not enjoy the same status as men, Rita knows all too well the complexities that women can face in their daily lives.
Olivia holds a degree in environmental engineering and has been campaigning on human rights and environmental justice for more than two decades. She has led global and regional programs, including on oceans, deforestation, and climate change. Recently, Olivia moved to the Netherlands after living in Germany, the UK, South Africa, and Switzerland. She is the Campaign Director of 350.org.
Nathalie Rey, Secretary
Nathalie has over two decades of experience in environmental advocacy, consultancy and human rights policy, engagement and political strategy. Among her previous roles, Nathalie worked as a senior oceans political advisor and as the deputy director of the Political and Business Unit for Greenpeace International. Her experience includes attending and leading delegations at international environmental meetings such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, and ocean-related negotiations at the United Nations General Assembly.
Rita Brouwer, Treasurer
Rita is a retired school teacher and active member of the Scheveningen community where she sits on various committees. Rita’s experience spans five decades. She has sat on numerous boards including on the Board of the International School of the Hague. From being the only woman on the advisory committee of her housing cooperative where her ideas are often hijacked and claimed by her male colleagues to marrying into a culture where women simply do not enjoy the same status as men, Rita knows all too well the complexities that women can face in their daily lives.
Do you want to get involved
with The Ocean and Us?
We are always looking for volunteers!
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