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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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. |
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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. |
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. |
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. |
