Oceanic Impact
Venture Overview
Oceanic Impact focuses on marine debris reduction and elimination through education, outreach, and technological development that empowers local communities to take action. Founder Lisa Chen, a marine biologist and ocean educator with degrees from McGill University and Dalhousie University, has worked globally across conservation, fisheries, and aquaculture. Her work bridges environmental science, community engagement, and ocean literacy to tackle marine pollution.
Website: www.oceanicimpact.org/
Venture Issue Area: Energy & Water
Venture Headquarters: Milton, Ontario, Canada
Venture Founder
Having worked as a marine biologist, divemaster, and educator around the world, Lisa is extremely passionate about ocean conservation and education. While diving in some of the most pristine reefs in the world, she found marine debris to be a common denominator and disproportionately impact impoverished communities. Her experience inspired her to start Oceanic Impact focusing on having positive impacts on the ocean and society by empowering communities to take action. She has many years of international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural experience in marine biology, conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, and education. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Neuroscience from McGill University and a Master of Marine Management degree from Dalhousie University. Her Master's thesis focused on creating an ocean literacy framework to guide future ocean education initiatives and create an ocean-literate community. Having worked concurrently in government, academia, environmental not-for-profit, and industry, Lisa strives to incorporate a holistic lens into tackling ocean issues at local, national, and international levels.
