Daniela V. Fernandez
Daniela V. Fernandez, an inspiring young entrepreneur, founded the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) when she was just 19 years old! The SOA is a worldwide community that connects young people with innovators and experts in the field of protecting our oceans. It’s goal is to create solutions, form leaders, and build a community that can protect and restore the ocean. The alliance has reached of 6,000 people in more than 150 countries, and has grown tremendously in just the past seven years.
In 2015, Fernandez took action on her idea while she was still a student at Georgetown, and today has been able to lead her organization to raise over $3 million. The Sustainable Ocean Alliance has managed to support 45 ocean startups, all leverage unique ways to protect, conserve and sustain the world’s oceans. In 2019, Fernandez received a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, along with becoming a member of the World Economic Forum Friends of Ocean Action.
Some of Fernandez’ other accomplishments include being a contributor to National Geographic and Sustainable Brands, being interviewed by Ocean Radio and Voice of America, and being a keynote speaker at multiple prestigious events such as The Economist World Ocean Summit and the United Nations!