Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, PhD, Moderator
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, conservation strategist, and Brooklyn native. She is founder and president of Ocean Collectiv, a strategy consulting firm for conservation solutions. Ayana earned a BA from Harvard University in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in marine biology. She is an adjunct professor at NYU and board member of the Billion Oyster Project. Ayana envisions and works toward a healthy ocean that supports food security, economies, and cultures.
Steven Wendland
Steven Wendland is the Head of Technicolor Creative Development, and joined the company in 2008. Among the recent projects developed and produced under his leadership are Atomic Puppet and The Deep. He is currently exec producing season 3 of The Deep. His background includes animation, games, VFX and music.
Ella Al-Shamahi
Ella Al-Shamahi is a National Geographic Explorer, a BBC and PBS presenter, a palaeoanthropologist specialising in fossil hunting in caves in unstable, hostile & disputed territories, and also just happens to be a stand-up comic. She has been profiled in National Geographic, the Times, and New Scientist.
Steven Gould
Steven Gould is a science fiction author of eleven novels including JUMPER (Made into the 2008 movie directed by Doug Liman) and IMPULSE (currently streaming as a TV series from YouTube Originals.) He is working with James Cameron on the sequels to AVATAR. He was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America, (2013-2015). He has a lifetime love-affair with the ocean both as a diver and sailor.