Public ProgrammingRegister / Tickets

December 9-11, 2026  |  Santa Barbara, CA

Speakers & Participants

Additional speakers and participants are currently being confirmed. Check back for updates.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ESRI CHIEF SCIENTIST

Dawn Wright

Dr. Dawn Wright is Chief Scientist of ESRI and a globally recognized pioneer in geographic information systems (GIS) as applied to coasts and ocean. Also Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University, she made history in 2022 as the first Black person to dive to  Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth. Her groundbreaking work has advanced ocean mapping, marine science, and the use of geospatial technology to better understand and protect our planet.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CALIFORNIA’S NATURAL RESOURCES, SECRETARY

Wade Crowfoot

Wade Crowfoot leads efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources, stewarding forests, natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. He has served as Secretary since 2019 and advises Governor Newsom as a member of his cabinet.
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SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT

Working Summit

The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.
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EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Public Programming

Film, arts, storytelling, and community experiences designed to inspire the next wave of ocean leaders.

Summit Host

Michelle Li, Clever Carbon, Founder | Women and Climate, Co-Founder

Michelle Li is a global climate leader, keynote speaker, and experienced MC, moderator, and facilitator who makes complex environmental topics accessible, engaging, and actionable. After beginning her career in cancer genetics, Michelle moved to Silicon Valley, where she worked with leading technology companies including Salesforce and DocuSign before applying her skills in data, innovation, and communication to climate action. She is the founder of Clever Carbon, an organization advancing carbon and ocean literacy through creative educational content, corporate workshops, and global events. Michelle has moderated discussions on marine carbon removal and Arctic security at SXSW, and led a business and ocean action panel at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference. She has also developed ocean-literacy workshops exploring phytoplankton, whale ecosystems, ocean currents, and the ocean carbon cycle, and serves as an advisor to Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard. Across her work, Michelle brings together science, technology, business, investment, and public engagement to inspire a deeper understanding of our ocean and accelerate meaningful action.
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Featured Participants

Gregg Hart represents California’s 37th Assembly District, serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. A longtime public servant and environmental advocate, he has championed legislation to protect California’s coast, reduce marine pollution, and advance sustainable ocean and climate policy.

Gregg Hart

37TH DISTRICT ASSEMBLYMEMBER

Laura Francis is the Founder of the Sea Forward Ocean Health Fund, a collaborative philanthropic fund investing in ocean solutions. A former NOAA marine biologist with 27 years of service, she now pioneers innovative finance models to accelerate ocean impact.

Laura Francis

SEA FORWARD FUND, FOUNDER

Tom Quigley, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Superorganism, the first venture firm dedicated to biodiversity, investing at the intersection of nature, tech, and ocean innovation.

Tom Quigley

SUPERORGANISM

Peter Bryant, Managing Director, Philanthropy, Oceans, Builders Vision, a mission-driven impact platform combining philanthropy, investment, and influence to catalyze capital across the ocean and blue economy ecosystem.

Peter Bryant

BUILDERS VISION

Dr. Catherine (Cat) Burns, Managing Director, NatureVest (The Nature Conservancy), leading Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation and private investment in sustainable aquaculture private equity funds, spanning conservation debt and blue-economy venture.

Cat Burns

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

Matthew Stotts is Co-Founder and Partner at Cerulean Ventures, where he invests in early-stage companies building solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity, and a nature-positive economy. He is a former technology founder and professor of technology management at the University of California.

Mathew Stotts

CERULEAN VENTURES, CO-FOUNDER

Gracie White, Senior Director of Global Ocean Investments, Conservation International Ventures (CI Ventures), investing in early-stage, nature-positive enterprises across emerging markets.

Gracie White

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL VENTURES

Robert Mazurek has spent over two decades leading national and international efforts to strengthen ocean governance, enhance marine policy, and create resilient coasts. As Executive Director of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, he leads a team advancing conservation. He also founded the Secure Fisheries program at One Earth Future and co-founded the California Ocean Alliance, which he continues to chair.

Robert Mazurek

CALIFORNIA MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION

Amy Hutzel is Executive Officer at the State Coastal Conservancy, which works to protect and restore habitats, increase public access and recreation, and plan and implement nature-based climate change adaptation along the California Coast, in coastal watersheds, and in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Amy Hutzel

STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY

Michael Walker is the CEO of STAX Engineering, an emissions capture and control company, where he has led the company since 2019. Under his leadership, STAX developed a mobile emission treatment system that connects directly to maritime vessels, capturing up to 99% of harmful pollutants at port without costly retrofits.

Mike Walker

STAX ENGINEERING

Sarah is the Commission's longest-serving legislative director, and the only woman to serve in the role. She has represented the agency in Sacramento since 1999.

Sarah Christie

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION

Kim Selkoe, Ph.D. is a marine ecologist and co-founder/CEO of Marino Soil Foods, which turns marine and agricultural waste into soil amendments. She also serves as Executive Director of Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, leading market-supported kelp restoration and a blue economy initiative called the Ocean Collective.

Kim Selkoe

COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN OF SANTA BARBARA

Co-Founder of Seatrees, a non-profit innovator in marine ecosystem restoration. Kevin is a geologist with a long history working in climate change solutions.

Kevin Whilden

SEATREES

Liz focuses on the role science and knowledge play in uncovering solutions, informing policy, and accelerating progress toward a healthy ocean future for California and the U.S. West Coast. As Executive Director of the California Ocean Science Trust, she provides strategic direction around California’s science priorities. She also serves as Science Advisor to the California Ocean Protection Council, connecting ocean decision-making with California’s science community.

Liz Whiteman

CALIFORNIA OCEAN SCIENCE TRUST

Dr. Ben Halpern is the Executive Director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and Professor in the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UC Santa Barbara.

Ben Halpern

NATIONAL CENTER FOR ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS & UCSB

Dr. Bob Miller is a marine ecologist and Research Biologist at UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute. He leads major long-term research programs focused on kelp forests, marine biodiversity, and the health of California’s coastal ecosystems.

Bob Miller, UCSB Marine Science

PROFESSOR, MARINE SCIENCE

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Roxanne Nanninga is a sustainability executive and advisor working at the intersection of ocean health, food systems, and climate impact. She brings over a decade of experience leading global initiatives across seafood supply chains, regenerative aquaculture, traceability, and human rights, with roles spanning nonprofits, startups, and multinational corporations.

Roxanne Nanning

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIC ADVISOR

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Gunnar Langenhuizen is a Senior District Representative for Assemblymember Gregg Hart in California's 37th District. He works closely with constituents, local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations on issues including environmental protection, transportation, energy, and housing, helping connect Central Coast communities with state resources and legislative priorities.

Gunnar Langenhuizen, Gregg Hart

SENIOR DESTRICT REPRESENTIVE

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Jaden Gill is a Storyteller and Strategic Communications Specialist for mission-driven nonprofits, with a focus on ocean and climate. She currently supports communications for the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Sea Forward Ocean Health Fund and has built her career around amplifying underrepresented voices and turning complex climate issues into -actionable narratives.

Jaden Gill, Sea Forward Fund

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

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Skylah Reis is a Marine Science PhD student at UC Santa Barbara, researching the ecology of offshore energy platforms and artificial reefs, with a focus on marine ecosystem dynamics in the context of climate change and energy transition. Skylah is also the founder and co-director of Captain’s Academy, a STEM mentorship program supporting young women pursuing marine science careers.

Skylah Reis, UCSB

MARINE SCIENCE PHD STUDENT

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