On Oceans Day at COP28 UAE (9th December), Edinburgh Ocean Leaders announced the eight ocean professionals named the 2024 Ocean Leaders. The leaders – from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, UK, France, Mozambique, USA, South Africa and the Maldives – join a community of globally-distributed ocean change-makers, working on vital solutions for the ocean and society.
The 2024 Ocean Leaders
Eva Medianti – Senior Manager Gender and Financial Inclusion at Rare, Indonesia
Gelica Inteca – Lecturer and Researcher at Lurio University and Trainer at Ocean Hub Africa, Mozambique
Indah Rufiati – Asia Pacific Fisheries Lead at Blue Ventures, Indonesia
Jessie Turner – Executive Director of International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, USA
Loreley Picourt – Executive Director of Ocean and Climate Platform, France
Loyiso Dunga – Director of Marine Outreach Programs at Parley for the Oceans and National Project Lead at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa
Shaha Hashim – Maldives Programme Manager at Maldives Resilient Reefs and Blue Marine Foundation, Maldives
Subaskar Sitsabeshan – Blue Charter Outreach and Project Manager at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Sri Lanka and UK.
What does it mean to be an Edinburgh Ocean Leader?
Edinburgh Ocean Leaders is the only executive leadership programme specifically designed for mid-career professionals working on positive solutions for the ocean. Through a global nomination process, the 2024 Ocean Leaders were selected based on their exceptional promise and capacity to become ocean change-makers. Whilst maintaining their existing professional roles, the Ocean Leaders will come together for an initial year-long programme of online leadership training, mentoring and networking support with international in-person meetings and field-based experiences. After this initial year, they continue as Ocean Leader Fellows, contributing to the global network and working together to drive bold actions. The programme is free for the Ocean Leaders, ensuring they are selected on their potential leadership rather than their ability to pay.
The 2024 Ocean Leaders come from diverse backgrounds and ocean sectors including fisheries management, conservation, policy, advocacy, and research. “The ambition of Edinburgh Ocean Leaders is to accelerate and amplify the visions and capacities of these remarkable individuals and their organisations,” explain Edinburgh Ocean Leaders co-founders and co-directors, Professor Sandy Tudhope and Dr Meriwether Wilson. “The 2024 cohort will join a growing community of Ocean Leaders, providing an enduring positive impact on the ocean for decades to come.”
Edinburgh Ocean Leaders is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and supported by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, OceanX, Baillie Gifford and the Castansa Trust.
