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. |
OUR TEAM
|
Bella Delfosse - Project Manager
Bella is an enthusiastic, initiative-driven ocean advocate with a passion for women's empowerment, surfing, and cultural diversity. She is currently dedicated to The Ocean Hope Expedition, aiming to prevent deep-sea mining before it begins. |
|
Stephanie Lerner - Communications and Marketing Lead
Stephanie drives the communication and marketing strategy for The Ocean and Us, crafting messages that reach a wide range of audiences across different platforms. She also expresses her passion for the ocean through her art, which focuses on marine conservation. Based in Marseille, Stephanie is Franco-American and grew up by the sea in West Africa, where her love for the ocean began. This deep connection continues to inspire both her work and creativity. |
|
Iton Egopija - Fundraising and Grant Lead
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. |
|
Ashley Bowes
Ashley Bowes is a freediver, sailor, and creative storyteller based in the traditional territories of the WSÁNEĆ and Lkwungen peoples, now called Victoria, BC. She specializes in video production, writing, and communication strategies that inspire diverse audiences to care for our blue planet. Ashley is supporting the team with video production and the logistics for the Alaska and British Columbia leg. |
|
Catherine Campbell
Catherine is part of the logistics and research team for the Southern California leg of the Ocean Hope Expedition, based in Redondo Beach, California. She is passionate about ocean conservation and mindfulness, with experience in social media, graphic design, and fundraising for environmental initiatives. |
|
Louisa Henry
Louisa, an ocean enthusiast, empowers people to take bold action for our planet. Inspired by her mother, she left a 20-year product career to fight climate change. Now, Louisa coaches others to live fully and pursue what truly matters. As part of the Ocean Expedition logistics team, she mobilizes communities, shares stories, and drives change. |
|
Dina Dehart
Dina has been actively involved in sustainability for the past eight years. She has volunteered at Greenpeace and attended the Climate Reality Project in Berlin. She also worked on the EIT Climate-KIC carbon reduction initiatives in Amsterdam, NL, and regenerative soil efforts in Boulder, CO. With years of experience in operations, grant management, strategic planning, and brand management for multinational organizations worldwide, Dina is committed to continuing to use her skills to help protect the planet. She is currently involved with The Ocean and Us outreach program and the logistics. |
|
Holly Sarkissian
Holly is a fundraising strategist helping nonprofits scale their impact and secure new funding. She has led teams raising over $45 million for global sustainability initiatives and is currently working on securing grants for The Ocean and Us. With experience at organizations like Kiva, MyAgro, and the Wilson Center, her work spans environmental advocacy, climate justice, and ocean protection. She holds a master’s in Global Policy focused on Climate and International Development from the University of Texas, Austin. |
|
Sophie Delerue-Ricard
Sophie is a passionate ocean advocate that finds new collaborators and sets the road map with the logistics team of The Ocean and Us. She holds a PhD in Marine Biology and is deeply committed to bridging Science and Spirituality, sharing the mysteries of the ocean with others. As the vice-director of a Normandy-based association, she leads initiatives focused on reconnecting people with nature and find meaningful work. |
|
Maya Crute Jones
Maya is a marine scientist with extensive global experience in fisheries science, management, and mitigating the impacts of marine industries on marine mammals. With a strong background in NGOs, Maya leverages her expertise in stakeholder engagement to bring the latest scientific insights to the public. |
|
Julia Kassyk
Julia is an environmental scientist passionate about the post-extractivist ways of being. Currently working in the cultural sector, she explores how culture and creative practices can inspire more sustainable ways of living. Julia is helping with partnerships for the Ocean Hope Expedition. |
All our thanks to the many volunteers who have helped along the way:
Elsa Touzard, Yaris Ng Pang, Laurie Foulon, Rebecca Boehringer, Costanza Rinaldi, Sarah Berchild, Alexandra Stote, Jen Pickett, Alexandra Filippova, Katherine Rocchio, Valeria Teloni, Angela Martin, Zoe Winck, Chloe Menhinick, Alyssa Cortez, Ieva Blazauskaite
Elsa Touzard, Yaris Ng Pang, Laurie Foulon, Rebecca Boehringer, Costanza Rinaldi, Sarah Berchild, Alexandra Stote, Jen Pickett, Alexandra Filippova, Katherine Rocchio, Valeria Teloni, Angela Martin, Zoe Winck, Chloe Menhinick, Alyssa Cortez, Ieva Blazauskaite
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. |
