Washington, D.C., December 9, 2025 – Ocean Visions is proud to announce the appointment of the first cohort of Ocean–Climate Innovation Senior Fellows, who will lead national and regional efforts to accelerate ocean-based climate solutions and strengthen Global South leadership in innovation. This initiative complements Ocean Visions’ existing Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellowship program.
María José Urrutia Rivas leads the Clúster de Innovación Clima Oceáno – Chile (CINCO-Chile), advancing the design and governance of ocean–based climate solutions field trials and building a robust policy and finance ecosystem for responsible innovation.
Caitlin Wale leads the South African Innovation Lab for Ocean–Climate Resilience (SAILOR), establishing South Africa’s first ocean–climate innovation hub to catalyze research, finance, and community engagement for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and marine ecosystem restoration.
“Local leadership is essential to advancing ocean–climate innovation,” said Leonardo Valenzuela Pérez, Senior Director, International Partnerships and Policy at Ocean Visions. “Our Senior Fellows are building the systems, partnerships, and trust needed to turn science into solutions.”
Working under Ocean Visions’ Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions (GEOS) program, and leading formally endorsed UN Ocean Decade projects, both Senior Fellows will collaborate to develop shared frameworks for governance, monitoring, and investment that can accelerate responsible field trials while strengthening local innovation capacity.
Each Senior Fellow will also develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen their local innovation ecosystems, showcasing local initiatives, communities, and innovative alliances to drive ocean–climate solutions across different ocean basins.
“We’re proud to support María José and Caitlin as they contribute to the essential building blocks of a global community advancing ocean-based climate action,” said Valenzuela Pérez.