Team

We're a team of seasoned professionals with expertise in innovation, business development, digital transformation, communications and start-up ventures.
Our diverse academic backgrounds range from marine sciences to international business and finance. United by our passion for the ocean, we're dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for a better planet

Founder & Partnerships

Presidente da Direcção

Susanne Wedin-Schildt

Susanne brings extensive experience in leading teams across diverse markets and industries. With a career spanning large enterprises and top Global Management Consulting firms, she has served as a trusted advisor to CxOs on strategic assignments. Susanne is passionate about harnessing IT to drive sustainable business growth and is currently focused on sustainable and regenerative innovation.

She is actively involved in various business, advisory, and jury boards within the green and blue sectors. A dedicated advocate for the environment, Susanne moved from Sweden to Portugal in 2020 with a mission to protect and sustainably utilize the ocean. She is also a sailor and enjoys surfing and hiking along the Portuguese Silver Coast. Beyond her professional achievements, Susanne is a devoted animal lover and a champion of plant-based living, committed to creating a sustainable future for all.

Christina Friberg

Co-Founder &

Secretário da Direcção

Christina has extensive experience in management roles and leadership positions in the finance industry and global consulting firms, specializing in business and product development, innovation, corporate strategy, and change management. A thought leader and expert in the payments industry, she has held various CxO positions. A lifelong resident near the Swedish coastline, Christina is passionate about ocean sports, particularly sailing. Her primary focus is on addressing environmental and food challenges through innovative solutions and sustainable, circular economic models. Christina is dedicated to tackling the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by identifying promising start-up ideas and creating compelling business cases for investors.

Mafalda de Freitas

Chief Marine Scientist

Mafalda is a Marine Biologist with degrees in Marine Biology from University of St Andrews in Scotland and a Master in Marine Acoustics from Aarhus University in Denmark. She has worked in a number of research projects that used innovative technologies to study marine mammals. Mafalda has worked as Project Manager for Peniche Ocean Watch where exciting projects for fishing net recycling and ocean tech amongst others were developed and deployed. Mafalda now holds the position as Environmental Scientist at Hawaii Pacific University. Mafalda is passionate about translating science into applied innovation in the Ocean space.

Vanessa Domingos

Chief Knowledge Officer,

Presidente, Conselho Fiscal

Vanessa, born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, finds energy and inspiration in the ocean, enjoying water sports like swimming and surfing and holding a coastal boat license. She holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering - Quality & Environment and a Postgraduate Degree in Integrated Quality, Environment Management Systems. With 14 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Vanessa focuses on project management and laboratory team supervision. Passionate about sustainability and Blue Circular Economy projects, she is committed to sharing ocean knowledge to inspire ocean-friendly decisions.

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Sanne Persson

Chief Social Media Officer

Born and raised in a small seaport in the south of Sweden, the ocean has been constant in Sanne's life; both as a place for recreation as well as a creator of livelihood for the community. Sanne holds a B.A in Media and Communication Studies and a B.S.c in Business and Economics with a major in Business Administration. She has completed a communications internship in Lisbon at the Swedish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, worked as communications officer and her day time job is now as marketing coordinator for a Swedish' knowledge company.

Rimmie Duraisamy

Chief Web Officer

and Community Lead

Rimmie comes from the western coast of India and has been living in Sweden since 2015. She has a background in Mechanical engineering and has experience from working in the automotive industry. Rimmie is currently pursuing her PhD in the field of Wave Energy Harvesting systems at KTH, Stockholm. Through her work, she aims at solving the challenges involved in the design and development of ocean energy harvesting.

Rimmie can’t resist the charm of the Scandinavian outdoors, enjoys long hikes and loves to be around animals. Having recently taken diving lessons, she is looking forward to true blue underwater adventures.

Frida was born in the northern part of Swedish Lapland. She has always enjoyed spending time in nature, and the ocean and rivers of the north will always hold a special place in her heart. Frida is studying a Degree of Master of Science in International Business at Umeå University in Sweden. She studied one year in the California Bay Area and one exchange semester at NOVA School of Business and Economics in Lisbon, Portugal. Frida is passionate about sustainable business growth, management and marketing and is committed to being a part of the solution - for our blue planet.

Frida Olovsson

Chief Communications Lead

Karen is a recent bachelor graduate in International Studies and Economics from the University of Oslo. While she grew up around the Trondheimsfjord, Norway, she has spent 1.5 years of her life in Eastern Canada, studying and working as an intern at the Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa. Her love for the ocean and ocean sports has been with her throughout her life, and she has competed nationally in flat water kayaking. During her exchange semester at NOVA SBE, Lisbon, this interest was revitalized through surfing. Karen is passionate about bringing forward blue and green solutions through supporting innovative and sustainable business ideas and promoting the circular economy principles.

Karen R. Østgaard

OC Innovate Program Lead

Martha is a recent bachelor graduate in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Oslo. She specialized in environmental politics, and spent last fall interning at the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN in New York, working on the Sustainable Development Goals. This experience deepened her understanding of the complexities with global environmental governance, sparking a new drive to make tangible impact on the ground. Martha has always had a deep appreciation for the ocean, and feels the most at peace when surrounded by the vast, beautiful blue. As our new project manager for the Ocean Community Challenge 2025, she is eager to apply her passion for the ocean and experience with sustainable development to promote lasting solutions for sustainable ocean practices.

Martha Søhr

OC Innovate Project Lead

Manaar Saedimajd is a professional with experience in marketing, sales, and business development. Hailing from Tehran, Iran, Manaar has faced numerous challenges related to water and ocean conservation, fueling a deep commitment to these issues. As the Ocean Ambassador Lead and Business Associate Lead, Manaar is dedicated to promoting sustainability. Manaar is also involved in a food waste recycling project in Portugal, aimed at reducing waste and supporting environmental efforts. Passionate about nature and the ocean, Manaar enjoys spending time at beaches and natural settings. Believing that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant global change, Manaar is committed to creating a sustainable future.

Manaar Saedi Majd

Business Associate Program Lead

Margarida has a bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences. She is currently pursuing her master's degree as a Marine Biology student at University of Aveiro. As an Ocean Community Ambassador, her goal is to spread awareness of how valuable our oceans are, while continuing to learn more about all it's amazing processes and ecosystems.

Margarida Silva

Co-lead

Ocean Ambassador Program

João comes from Lisbon and is now pursuing his Master ́s in Law and Economics of the Sea from NOVA University of Lisbon. With a bachelor's degree in Biology, João is focused on studying the connection between Science, Economics, and Policy in the development of the Blue Economy. With some experience from past projects and short courses related to entrepreneurship, marine biotech, blue economy, environmental studies, and sustainability, João is eager to apply his capacities in the development of Ocean Community, especially in the recruitment of new OC Ambassadors. João is a passionate communicator and a Stand-Up Comedy enthusiast with some performances done. His motivation to connect new knowledge and new people is one of his very interests.

João Medeiros

Co-lead

Ocean Ambassador Program

Growing up between the Netherlands and Spain, Julia’s passion for the nature and marine life was ignited by the stunning landscapes of both countries.
She is currently a student at the Open University in the UK, where she is studying a undergraduate degree in Astronomy and Planetary Sciences. She has lived in Canada, where the nature further inspired her commitment to sustainability. Julia is committed to developing communities that are passionate about environmental change. She is excited to help drive action for sustainable initiatives, and developing collaboration within the community.

Julia Vives Martinius

Community Lead

Interns 2024

Antonia Gencheva

OC Learn Program

Intern

Antonia is from Bulgaria and studies Environmental Science in the Netherlands. She is currently part of the Ocean Community Learning Module. Having grown up by the seaside, her passion for the ocean and marine life started at a very young age. Through her studies, personal interests, and now this internship, she is dedicated to contribute to positive change and working towards a more sustainable and healthy "blue" future for our oceans.

Eva Wentges

Business Partner Program
Intern

Eva is from the Netherlands and completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout her studies she has developed a strong interest in innovation and its potential to create meaningful change. Alongside her interest in innovations, her deep love for the natural world drives her excitement about joining the Ocean Community. She is eager to collaborate with like-minded individuals and contribute to impactful initiatives that protect and preserve our blue planet.

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With a solid background in business economics, Monika brings a diverse range of experience to the team. Her time at Bar Harbor Whale Watch in the USA allowed her to encounter various marine species, deepening her appreciation for ocean ecosystems. Monika holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Split, Croatia, and has gained valuable hands-on experience in community engagement, event organization, and customer relations. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and enthusiasm to the Ocean Community Challenge, focusing on applying her academic insights and practical skills to promote sustainable ocean practices.

Monika Gagula

OC Innovate Program
Intern