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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.
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.
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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
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 2025
Valentina Von Halem
OC Learn Program
Valentina was born in Germany and has always felt that the ocean is her happy place. She holds an MSc in Marine Environmental Management and a second MSc in Environment, Politics, and Society. Her fieldwork on the coral reefs of Bonaire, along with research into governance mechanisms of Marine Protected Areas in Germany, has given her valuable insights into the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of ocean conservation and the blue economy. Now, as the new lead for the OC Learn program, she’s excited to share her passion and create learning experiences that inspire action for a sustainable ocean.
Business Partner Program
Léo, a Master 2 student in International Business from France, is passionate about fostering strategic partnerships and driving business growth. Fluent in French, English, and Portuguese, he enjoys working across cultures and developing strategic collaborations. Currently, he is focused on the development of the partnerships program, helping to identify and nurture valuable collaborations. This role is more than just business—it’s about impact. Having grown up by the ocean in the south of France, the sea has always been a part of his life, shaping values and perspective. Now, through Ocean Community, he sees the opportunity to combine his professional expertise with a cause that truly matters—helping businesses grow while contributing to a more sustainable and connected network.
Léo Charbonniére
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 Challenge Lead
Patrice is a student from Germany pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management. Following a semester abroad in South Korea, he is currently interning as a project manager at the OC Innovate team at Ocean Community. With a strong foundation in both engineering and economics, Patrice is well-equipped to engage deeply in projects focused on ocean sustainability. His passion for the ocean is driven by his appreciation for marine wildlife, surfing and the desire to preserve beautiful coastal areas and ecosystems. Throughout his internship, Patrice will contribute valuable insights and drive innovative solutions for ocean-related projects.
Patrice König
OC Innovate Project Manager
Neda is a passionate digital marketing and content creator intern with a background in Business Management and Marketing from ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania. She is currently focused on developing an integrated marketing strategy for the upcoming year while crafting engaging content that strengthens brand presence. With a keen eye for trends and data-driven insights, she aims to create impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences. Inspired by the beauty and power of the sea, she is committed to promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about ocean conservation. Combining creativity with strategic thinking, she is eager to refine her skills in content creation, social media management, and marketing strategy to drive meaningful brand engagement and long-term growth.
Neda Žilinskaitė
Digital Marketing & Content Creator
Catarina is one of the most recent additions to the team and is currently completing her bachelor's degree in Communication Design at the University of the Fine Arts of Lisbon. With a strong passion for creativity and visual storytelling, she is eager to apply her academic knowledge and fresh perspective to real-world projects. She is particularly excited to be part of the Content Creation and Digital Marketing team, where she can contribute to the development of engaging and innovative campaigns. Catarina looks forward to honing her skills, collaborating with like-minded professionals, and helping bring compelling ideas to life.
Catarina Silva
Content Creator
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