Ocean of Opportunity: Investing in Blue Economy | Donna Hazard | TEDxBoston

Ocean health and productivity are declining and need urgent intervention, but the ocean is not just a victim. It is a treasure trove of opportunity for environmental, societal and economic restoration and value creation. By supporting the formation of new "bluetech" ventures and providing the resources they need to thrive, we can drive positive impact and financial returns.

Alternative energy, Climate Change, Innovation, Investment, Oceans, Sustainability General Partner and Board Member, SeaAhead blue (ocean-related) tech innovation hub; former Board Chair and Interim President & CEO, New England Aquarium; co-founder of biotech diagnostics company Exact Sciences that reached a $26B market cap; 20+ years of non-profit board experience; broad range of board committee roles; and track record of bringing science- and consumer-driven solutions to market

Current Boards (Private and Non-Profit):

SeaAhead, Inc.: Board Director of Boston-based bluetech hub spurring innovation, building and investing in sustainable, high- growth, ocean-related companies through an incubator, accelerator, angel investor group, and other vehicles

New England Aquarium: Honorary Board, Immediate past Board Chair (6 years) and Interim CEO (1 year); current member, finance and DEI committees; former member, governance, audit, and development committees; extensive experience with strategic planning, risk management, public interface, customer experience, education, conservation impact and advocacy

Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston: 20+ years of board service; chair, program committee; current member, executive committee; past chair, Board of Trustees; former member, strategic planning, governance, and development committees

Operating Experience, Education, and Interests:

Donna joined SeaAhead’s Board of Directors in 2019 and SeaAhead’s staff in 2020. She leads the company’s bluetech investor network, the Blue Angels, which includes 40 members representing diverse ocean-related industries and technologies, and provides capital, mentorship and network connections for bluetech start-ups. As a member of SeaAhead's executive team, Donna is also engaged in raising SeaAhead’s first fund, SeaAhead Ventures; the company’s involvement in the growing micro- and macro- algae industries; the UpSwell program to attract additional investors and capital to the blue economy; and several strategic partnerships.

Donna served as Interim President & CEO of the New England Aquarium while continuing as Chair of the Board and a member of the search committee recruiting a long-term CEO for this $47 M non-profit organization attracting 1.4 million visitors annually and employing 250+ full-time staff and more than 1500 volunteers. As Board Chair and Interim CEO, Donna led the institution to update and implement its strategic plan, begin a cultural shift, restructure its development department, exceed its fundraising goal (30% increase year to year), and generate an operating surplus. She received a Governor’s Citation, Resolution of Honor from the MA House of Representatives, Official Citation from the MA State Senate, and Certificates of Recognition from US Senators Warren and Markey, US Congresswoman Clark, and Mayor Walsh for her efforts.

In the corporate sector Donna also Co-Founded and served as Vice President of Business Development for venture-backed biotech diagnostics company Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: EXAS), which reached a market cap of $26 B. Donna focused on strategic partnerships, intellectual property, physician awareness, value proposition, reimbursement, and commercialization.

Prior to these roles, Donna served as Director of Marketing and Business Development at Genzyme Genetics; Manager at Company Assistance Limited in Warsaw, Poland; Consultant at Bain & Company; and Market Analyst at biotech company BioTechnica International. She received an AB in Biology from Princeton University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Masters in Sustainability through Harvard Extension. Whenever possible Donna travels with her husband and four children, scuba dives, hikes, and listens to live music. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx