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!
Great post! Daniela Fernandez is a great example of an entrepreneur who saw a problem, and came up with a successful solution. I love how her idea can connect people with other people.
SOA is a great business idea and amazing that it has reached so many places in the world. I really enjoy seeing people using their creative ideas and motivated mindset to help out the greater good and to put their own strengths to achieve something very meaningful to them and to other people.
It is amazing how someone’s passion and determination can get them so far in life. Saving the ocean sounds like such an overwhelming task, but Fernandez is taking it on and making a huge impact.