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 SHiFT.how team.

Larissa Clark

Head of Communications

Larissa leads high impact PR, media and communications campaigns for mission-driven organisations through This Chapter PR. 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.

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.

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.

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.