Hailing from Michigan, Dr. Derek Burkholder now calls Florida home where he studies sharks and sea turtles as a research scientist at Nova Southeastern University with the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Save Our Seas Shark Center. He’s also the director of the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, the director of the Marine Environmental Education Center at the Carpenter House, and the vice president of the non-profit Sharks4Kids Inc.

For our first Profile, The Ocean Digest hears from Daniela Fernandez, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient for her work as the founder and CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Based in Silicon Valley, SOA partners with startups and mentors young leaders to take action for the health of the oceans.