OUR TEAM
CAPE TOWN
Meet our passionate team working behind the scenes to drive our mission at I AM WATER forward.
HANLI PRINSLOO
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hanli Prinsloo is a multiple freediving record holder, coach, and social entrepreneur. After retiring from competitive freediving, she became a high-performance coach, working with athletes and corporations. Hanli founded I AM WATER Ocean Conservation in 2010, using human experiences to foster ocean conservation. She is also the co-founder of award winning OCEAN TRAVEL and AGULHAS, offering sustainable big animal interactions and freediving equipment respectively.
An acclaimed speaker, Hanli is an Ashoka Fellow, Young Global Leader under the WEF and has been named one of Conde Nast Traveller’s Top 50 Travellers of our Time. Hanli lives in Cape Town with her husband Peter, their two small children, rescue dog and four chickens.
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CLAIRE CARRETTI
STAKEHOLDER AND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
​Claire is a dedicated conservationist driven by her passion for uplifting those in need. With nearly two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, she has evolved from volunteering and crisis work to becoming a seasoned professional. Her journey began with studies in social work and a BA in Health Sciences and Social Services, laying the foundation for her frontline work for four years.
Transitioning into Resource Development, Claire has spent the last 15 years securing significant funding for organisations, primarily in welfare and conservation. Claire excels in organisational development and stakeholder management. She has played a leading role in developing the OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance training framework and aligning I AM WATER’s programmes to long term evidence based impact.
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CHRYSSEA JOHNSON
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Chryssea is a multimedia storyteller, photographer and creative strategist, passionate about the ocean and the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between people and the natural world.
With a degree in Creative Brand Communications, and five years of experience in the conservation space, she draws on a background of sustainable branding, digital design, writing and environmental documentation, to shape compelling narratives that inspire action and deepen ecological awareness.
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Particularly interested in how immersive experiences and ecopsychology can transform human–nature relationships, Chryssea is passionate about her work with I AM WATER, where these values come to life through ocean connection and community empowerment.
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In her spare time, you’ll likely find her freediving in kelp forests, wandering the coastline with a camera, or brewing tea with a notebook-filled backpack somewhere in the wild.
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TAAHIRAH SAIT
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT INTERN
Taahirah Sait has been dedicated to the conservation and environmental space for over 10 years. With a qualification in Nature Conservation and Adventure Based Learning, she has developed a deep understanding of both the natural world and the power of experiential education.
Taahirah is currently a Training & Development Facilitator, where she helps design and implement programs that empower individuals and communities to connect with and protect nature.
Taahirah’s passion for conservation is deeply intertwined with her Islamic faith. She sees nature as a divine creation, and her beliefs guide her work in conservation, emphasizing stewardship, care, and responsibility for the earth. Her work reflects a harmonious blend of faith and environmentalism, underscoring the importance of respecting and nurturing the planet as a sacred trust.
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SHIREEN SADIEN
OPERATIONS AND FINANCE
MANAGER
Shireen Sadien, the Operations and Finance Manager, embarked on her professional journey armed with strong administrative skills which she enhanced in the property management and commercial property finance sectors. Shireen's expertise expanded to include company secretarial/statutory compliance, corporate governance, bookkeeping, budget/financial/cashflow analysis, project management, bond origination, and real estate. Her early career in these sectors laid a solid foundation, but it was in the private and non-profit sectors where she truly flourished.
Her impactful transition into the non-profit sector saw her contribute significantly to I Am Water. This experience not only heightened her commitment to environmental causes but also introduced her to the world of freediving and snorkeling. Shireen's passion for ocean conservation now seamlessly integrates with her role, showcasing her holistic approach to life and work.
As a deliverer and an optimist, she continues to make long-lasting waves in both corporate and environmental spheres, embodying a unique blend of professional acumen and personal values. Her strong work ethic and her passion and commitment within the ocean conservation and non-profit sector have made her an invaluable agent of change.
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CARMEN FORTUNE
BOOKKEEPER
A mom, wife and colleague, Carmen enjoys the balance of the different areas of life. Over the years Carmen has learnt to balance her career while also being present and being the best version of a loving mom to her three kids.
With over 25 years experience in the finance department and a passion for numbers, Carmen is an analytical thinker with attention to detail. Her integrity and values make her the perfect fit for our organisation.
She provides financial intelligence through bookkeeping and reporting making it easier for strategic decision making and presentations.
Her work ethic streamlines our business and her goal is being part of a unique team and organisation that changes lives and create experiences through water conversation.
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MARLIN VAN SENSIE
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT INTERN
Marlin Van Sensie is a dedicated ocean and nature conservationist, training and development intern, and facilitator based in Cape Town, South Africa. With a deep passion for ocean and nature conservation, they work with the I AM WATER Foundation, helping youth in under-resourced communities connect with the ocean through immersive learning experiences.
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Marlin has been developing his leadership skills and other abilities through extensive training, work experience, and facilitating sessions. His role as a training and development intern has provided valuable opportunities for growth and refinement of their skills. Additionally, facilitating educational activities has allowed Marlin to inspire and empower young people while honing their expertise in environmental conservation.
Marlin's long-term goal is to be a role model and advocate for environmental conservation, educating young people about climate change and pollution. He strive to create impactful and meaningful experiences that inspire the next generation to protect our planet and to be a voice for the unheard, showcasing a strong sense of responsibility and care for social justice.
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THE I AM WATER GLOBAL BOARD
Scattered around the globe, we are honoured to call these changemakers our I AM WATER Global Family.
SILVIA BASTANTE
DE UNVERHAU
GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY EXPERT
Silvia Bastante de Unverhau is a global philanthropy expert and executive with over 20 years of experience working across the business, non-profit, international development, and government sectors. She is a regular writer and speaker on philanthropy and has been quoted by leading publications including the Financial Times and Forbes. Silvia is a Senior Advisor to Co-Impact, a global collaborative of some of the world’s leading philanthropists focused on systems change and gender equality to improve the lives of millions of people. She provides philanthropy advisory and consulting services to philanthropists, wealth management and philanthropic organizations through Braymont. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Finance University of Zurich, and acts as Advisory Board member for VALUEworks. Prior roles include Global Head of Philanthropy Advisory at UBS, Associate Partner at Monitor Group and various management roles at the Organization of American States, the International Secretariat of Amnesty International, and the Office of the President of Peru. Silvia holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Lima, Peru, she has visited and worked in over 70 countries and across many oceans.
JENIFER WILLIG
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR & FOUNDER OF THE MOTIVE
Jenifer specializes in business strategy, marketing and communications with a focus on creating, developing and helping grow companies and social enterprises around a range of social issues. Jenifer co-founded Motive, a social innovation company that works with organizations to model social impact into their business. Clients include: Morgan Stanley, Getty Images, Gap Inc., Old Navy, Friends of the Global Fight, and NYSE.
NICK BOTT
NEUROSCIENTIST & WILDERNESS THOUGHT LEADER
Nick is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who researches and designs for innovation in the assessment of cognition and emotion, healthy cognitive aging and high-value care delivery. At Stanford University, he serves as a research scientist at the Clinical Excellence Research Center (CERC). In addition to publishing his research in top-tier journals, his work has been featured in The New York Times, National Public Radio, and U.S. News and World Report. With an interest in the effect wilderness has on humans, Nick is assisting the I AM WATER team in measuring the deep impact ocean experiences has on youth from challenging backgrounds and limited nature exposure.
GREG LONG
BIG WAVE SURFER
With over 20 years of riding some of the worlds biggest waves and receiving acclaim for his skill and courage (XXL Global Big Wave Awards including Biggest Wave, Ride of the Year and Performer of the Year, Adventurer of the Year to name a few) Greg is now focusing his time and energy on raising awareness for the plight of the ocean he loves. Partnering with brands committed to ocean conservation and sharing his personal story, Greg is lending his voice to the outcry about the state of our planet.
LAUREN DE VOS
SCIENCE WRITER
“How do you make people fall in love with fish?” A deep reverence for wilderness drives her to find conservation solutions. Lauren has a background in understanding issues of human/wildlife conflict, as well as savanna ecology through the Organisation for Tropical Studies.
JESMANE BOGGENPOEL
AUTHOR
Jesmane is an experienced business executive and a former Head of Business Engagement for Africa at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. She has served on the boards of various South African and international organizations. She is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government. Jesmane was honoured as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and is a Harvard Mason fellow.
PETER MARSHALL
EX-SWIMMER & ENTREPRENEUR
From a very young age, Peter showed immense talent in the swimming pool. He was awarded a swimming scholarship to Stanford University where he completed a degree in Economics and won many gold medals for his team. His post collegiate professional career saw him swimming on the US team with sponsors Speedo and Tyr for 11 years, breaking 8 World Records and winning 3 World Championships.
Passionate about seeing sustainability in both business and sports, Peter co-founded Agulhas Gear, an ocean exploration brand dedicated to creating sustainable, high performance freediving gear.