Mission ocean Jury
Mehrnaz Ghojeh is the Founder of Okhtapus, the first global platform providing the missing blueprint to replicate and scale solutions that work in our ocean, islands, and coastal cities.
She is an urbanist and climate justice leader with over a decade of experience advising cities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe on scaling and financing solutions at the nexus of climate, society, and economy. Trained as an architect, Mehrnaz has worked across the public, private, and third sectors as a multidisciplinary designer and international development specialist.
An avid shark diver, she brings a deep personal connection to the ocean into her work.
Mehrnaz also holds advisory roles with the WHO, WRI, Google, and the Wellcome Trust, and regularly lectures at universities in the UK and internationally. She currently also leads strategic partnerships for the Earthshot Prize.
Lien De Ruyck is both a storyteller and an ocean adventurer. She has swum with orcas and joined scientists on expeditions to the Arctic and as far as Antarctica. As a diver, she contributes to coral restoration and co-founded Habitats, an organization dedicated to protecting and reviving our natural environment. Through her stories, she inspires children and adults alike to experience the ocean’s wonders—and to see how, together, we can keep it healthy.
Cheryline, is a diving instructor, marine illustrator, and cetacean observation guide with a Master’s in Cultural Communication. Since 2022, she has channeled her devotion to underwater biodiversity into creating vibrant, original artwork—posters, dive logbooks, species guides, site maps—all handcrafted without AI. Through Les illustrations bleues, she invites audiences to “journey in blue,” offering products that both beautify interiors and foster marine awareness. From custom dive baptism memorabilia to educational resources, each project reflects her deep commitment to pedagogical clarity, environmental connection, and artistic soul.
Louis David is an underwater photographer and conservation storyteller based in Brussels. Through his project Ocean Perspective, he captures the beauty and fragility of marine life, from sharks off the coast of South Africa to the reefs of Raja Ampat. His images are crafted to spark wonder, curiosity, and awareness, inviting audiences to see the ocean as both a source of fascination and a shared responsibility.
Alongside his artistic work, Louis is part of SEAMPHONY, a Horizon Europe research project exploring the sounds of the ocean to better understand and protect marine ecosystems. He also leads educational initiatives such as Mission Ocean, bringing the mysteries of the underwater world to classrooms and exhibitions to inspire the next generation of ocean guardians.