Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Felipe’s passion for ocean conservation ignited during his university days, where he volunteered in Florida’s mangroves, discovering their critical role in hurricane defense and vibrant ecosystems. With a background in luxury client management, Felipe brings valuable experience to Ocean Conservancy in effectively handling a portfolio of mid to major individual and family foundation funders. He’s also well-versed in organizing philanthropic outreach and volunteer events from his time at Hermes, where he first learned about Ocean Conservancy through a beach clean-up with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team. Eager to contribute to a mission close to his heart, Felipe is excited to join Ocean Conservancy, an organization with extensive reach, protecting the beloved beaches of his youth.

Favorite ocean animal: The Sea Otter! Sea otters eat 25 percent of their body weight in food every day. Sea otters’ diets include sea urchins, crabs, mussels, and clams, which they’re known to crack open with a rock and eat while floating in the water. To find food, sea otters may occasionally dive as deep as 250 feet and will use their sensitive whiskers to locate small prey inside crevices or their strong forepaws to dig for clams. Source: (Dept. of the Interior)