Audrey Bennett and JP Spaventa are a husband-wife team that specialize in tackling Earth’s big problems from new perspectives. They studied biology and engineering, respectively, at Stanford University, and have been leading this organization for almost five years. On board, they wear many hats: they serve as captains, scientific divers, researchers, cooks, engineers, drone pilots, writers, videographers, expedition leaders, and co-directors.

Their approach centers deep thinking about the way that we do things. Scientists studying global environmental change have a moral imperative to model low carbon approaches to their work. What’s more, marine researchers in Latin America are often limited by access to capable research vessels. Lōkahi Ocean Science centers the visions and values of local scientists and stakeholders, and leverages their unique platform to enable high impact work. Their current project is gathering the data needed to inform the creation of a new marine protected area in the Gulf of California that would protect key habitats for several critically endangered species while developing a sustainable economy for local communities.