Meet the Team

Emily Penn

Co-Founder and Mission Director

Emily is Co-Founder and Director of eXXpedition. She has spent the last 8 years leading global expeditions – taking everyday individuals to the most remote parts of the planet, to connect with the challenges facing our ocean, primarily focusing on ocean plastics.

Soraya Abdel-Hadi

Operations Manager

Soraya comes from a sustainability and business background. She joined eXXpedition in 2016 and her role includes voyage organisation, crew management and outreach. She has also been a core member of the OceanChangemakers.com team.

Sally Earthrowl

Mission Leader

Sally’s background as a Geography teacher, and first-hand experience of the devastating impacts of plastic pollution while living in Bali and during eXXpedition North Pacific, gives her the perfect experience to be leading missions for Round The World.

Larissa Clark

Head of Communications

Larissa has 15+ years leading high impact PR, media and communications campaigns for mission-driven companies and non-profits. With a background in sustainable development and adventure travel she’s worked with eXXpedition since the beginning to drive awareness, action and powerful collaborations back on land. 

Maria Correa

Partnerships Manager

Maria has led strategy for the world’s most iconic brands, helping tackle business and societal problems. In recent years, she has focused on protecting our oceans through global campaigns and collaborations, and will use her expertise to develop and foster partnerships that maximise our impact.

Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones

Science Lead

Winnie is a marine biologist with a PhD in plastic pollution. Her expert knowledge in this area has led to work with UK and European governments. Winnie is based at the University of Plymouth, and is responsible for the design and delivery of the Round the World science program, which aims to address fundamental knowledge gaps in our understanding of marine plastics. Winnie will be sailing on some of the Round the World voyages as Mission Leader.

Mads St Clair Baker

Digital Content Assistant

Madeline is an MSc tropical marine biologist, divemaster and founder of non-profit organisations Women in Ocean Science and The Marine Diaries. As an ocean advocate, she has channelled her energy into becoming a freelance underwater photographer and content creator.

Michelle Byle

Designer

Michelle is a multidisciplinary Designer and Art Director with over 15 years of experience helping build mission-driven brands. After learning about the devastating effects of ocean plastic as a volunteer helping rehabilitate entagled marine mammals, she’s been working in the packaging industry to push for change from within. In 2018 she joined us as a crew member on our expedition to the North Pacific Gyre, and continues to help us develop engaging visual experiences today.

Imogen Robinson

Logistics Manager

Imogen spent her childhood by the water on the south coast of the UK. Growing up in small sailing dinghies and swimming competitively, she has now been working as a professional Skipper for the past 10 years and is a crew member on her local RNLI LifeBoat. Imogen holds her MCA/RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, MCA/RYA Cruising instructor, MCA Ship’s Captain Medical & PADI Rescue Diver. She will be managing the on-shore logistics for Discovery Expeditions during eXXpedition Round the World.

Anna Strang

Skipper

Anna has been sailing ever since she was taught at age 6 by her grandfather in Poole harbour. From a dinghy racing background she has worked full time in the industry for 12 years teaching a range of ages in all aspects of Watersports. She is a RYA Yachtmaster instructor and over the last few years has been racing, teaching and delivering yachts all over the world.

Millie Webb

Deckhand – Round the World Phase Two

Millie has been sailing since she was aged 12. She began sailing on small dinghies and was selected to become part of Shoreham Youth Team. The team regularly competed in events, racing many times at Cowes week and took part in the Sonar World championships in America. Millie continues to race on a J92s as part of a competitive team. She has worked in the industry part-time for 7 years teaching sailing and other watersports. In 2019 she has had an exceptional year qualifying as a PE teacher, achieving her RYA Yacht Master Offshore and being selected to join the eXXpedition team to fulfil one of her dreams.

Lis Gray

Deckhand – Round the World Phase Three

Lis has been on water from about the age of 8 when she and her brother used to canoe on the Thames in Oxfordshire. Once in the world of work, Lis was introduced to the hobby of dinghy racing and also crewing ocean going yachts – a pastime she has enjoyed for over 30 years. Since redundancy was offered from her job as a manager in compliance, Lis has grabbed the opportunity to operate as a freelance instructor in the sailing industry, teaching families and individuals the art of sailing. Lis is a RYA Cruising instructor and is also a qualified coach practitioner; helping people identify goals and opportunities.

Lucy Gilliam

Co-founder and Advisor

Lucy is a professional changemaker with a Degree in Biology and Phd in Molecular Microbiology. Her career has spanned academia, government, grassroots activism and supranational policy making. Lucy has a life-long passion for tackling climate change and toxic pollution. Currently, she works for Brussels based NGO, Transport & Environment, tackling climate impacts and pollution from shipping and aviation. She has sailed on three eXXpedition voyages and continues to support the project as a technical advisor and ambassador for the cause.

Elizabeth Offord

Director

Elizabeth has diverse experience from finance through manufacturing to the arts. She’s also a proud Trustee of the National Theatre and Director of eXXpedition.