Dr. Sherry Lippiatt is a Risk and Finance Communications Specialist with Scoot Science, where she translates ocean science expertise for investors interested in growing the blue economy. Prior to joining Scoot Science, Sherry had an 11-year tenure supporting the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program, where she served as California Regional Coordinator and led the program’s flagship citizen science project. Sherry earned her Ph.D. in Ocean Science from the University of California Santa Cruz and a B.S.

HillyAnn is an ecosystems-based approach management practitioner, an environmental advocate, and a university professor. She is doing research and development work on an ecosystems-based approach to restoration and disaster risk reduction, a multi-sectoral approach to environmental governance, integrated landscape seascape management, and landscape investment finance. Dr. Quiaoit is a marine biologist by training and founded the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance of 14 Local Government Units for baywide integrated coastal management.

Mr. James Sloan is a partner in the commercial Fiji law firm Siwatibau and Sloan - sas.com.fj James qualified as a barrister in the UK in 1999 and was admitted to the High Court of Fiji in 2003. James has a busy environmental practice with a particular emphasis on marine conservation, oceans governance, and the law of the sea. This has included the following highlights:

Simon is a Senior Director in Willis Towers Watson’s Climate and Resilience Hub, leading work in the innovative collection, modeling, and use of hazard and risk data in risk management tools and risk financing instruments to bring greater resilience to sovereigns, other public institutions, and the private sector, as well as at the individual and community level.

As Senior Director of Innovative Finance within Rare’s coastal fisheries program, Fish Forever, Kate leads the Innovative Finance initiatives. In this role, Kate is developing pathways to finance community-led conservation at scale by blending philanthropy, public funding, bilateral/multilateral finance, and private capital.

Karen is Executive Director of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), a multi-sector coalition of governments, finance, insurance companies, and civil society organizations. ORRAA pioneers innovative finance products that drive investment into marine and coastal natural capital, reduce ocean risks and build resilience in coastal communities. She has spoken and written extensively on ocean conservation issues.