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
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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. |
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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. |
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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:
Bella Delfosse, Ashley Bowes, Catherine Campbell, Dina Dehart, Sophie Delerue-Ricard, Iton Egopija, Louisa Henry, Holly Sarkissian, 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
Bella Delfosse, Ashley Bowes, Catherine Campbell, Dina Dehart, Sophie Delerue-Ricard, Iton Egopija, Louisa Henry, Holly Sarkissian, 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
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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. |
Nienke Schilstra, Secretary
Nienke has a background in business administration, change management and HR. With over twenty years of experience, Nienke is currently working as a senior HR manager in both the profit and non-profit sectors. She volunteers as HR coordinator at the Melania Foundation. Nienke's motivation to join the Board of The Ocean And Us stems from her conviction that each one of us, in particular those with the privilege to do so, has a responsibility towards preserving nature and all life. The importance of a healthy ocean is still not widely known, and Nienke wants to help change that. After following the work of The Ocean and Us with interest for many years, she is happy to be able to contribute to the foundation's mission as a Board member. |
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. |
