Engineer

I have always been curious about the world, but I seem to have discovered the best part of my life by doing things I had never done before.

I am an engineer by training and spent several decades in leadership and Human Resources, working with people, teams and organisations. I deliberately chose to step away from my professional career and become financially independent, giving myself the freedom to build a very different second act. I learned to sail at 44 and took up scuba diving at 56. Along the way, I became increasingly fascinated by the ocean — not only by what lies beneath its surface, but by the extraordinary connection between the sea, the places we inhabit and the choices we make on land.

I am also a passionate film lover, fascinated by the way cinema helps us understand people and the world around us.

I first applied to eXXpedition seven years ago and was selected, but the voyage was cancelled during the pandemic. I never quite forgot about it. Now, at 61, I am finally getting on board. I am joining because I want to learn: about the ocean, plastic pollution and the science behind it, but also about the people and communities working to find solutions. I hope to bring my engineering background, my experience of working with people, my skipper skills, my curiosity and, perhaps most of all, my willingness to learn.

I have discovered that there is no particular age at which you are supposed to stop starting new things. So here I am — still curious, still learning, and ready for the next adventure.

Business Owner

Irina Maria Peterson is the “Ocean Amazon” – a passionate sailor and nature lover. She is co-founder and CEO of “Broth By Design” (www.brothbydesign), a successful nutritional supplements women founded business in United States, dedicated to making wellbeing and quality nutrition available to everyone.

Via her Ocean Amazon platform, Irina Maria Peterson raises awareness of the fragility of our marine life, the oceans role in regulating climate and therefore the impact on our lives. Another goal is to inspire women to love and navigate the oceans, having an important presence in the sailing world and pivotal role as global agents of change.

Irina will be the only representative of the Principality of Monaco on-board eXXpedition voyages and she is extremely proud and honoured by the support of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Irina is an ambassador of eXXpedition, Passion Sea and Oceano Scientific Research.

Her love for the oceans was ignited in childhood, when she discovered Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s documentaries. Despite a tiny black and white TV at home, she was mesmerized by the underwater “Silent World”. The legendary explorer became an inspiration and growing up, Irina went on to dive and sail in many diverse places and her love for the ocean grew immensely! And for this gift, Irina will be forever grateful and it is now time to pay it forward!

Irina hopes that her Ocean Amazon documentary will be able to inspire younger generations to love and protect our oceans and the environment in general.

Here is the way Irina describes herself and her motivation “I am an imperfect human, an imperfect activist. But I am learning and I am promising that I’m going to continue to try my best! I truly believe that what the world needs right now is not a handful of perfect people being the perfect solution! We need 7.5 billion people, imperfect like me and you, willing to try our best each day: when we can, how we can, where we can and in all the ways we can to take more responsibility for our actions that impact the environment.”

Irina wishes to thank from all her heart to each one of you who made her journey possible and to her partners:
– Prince Albert II Monaco Foundation

– Yacht Club of Monaco

– Monaco Impact

– Gustavia Yacht Club

– Broth By Design

You may follow Irina’s voyage and mission on: