Kelly Hoareau is an environmental and ocean stewardship professional with over 15 years of cross-sector experience across academia, government, and industry. Her work centres on enabling knowledge systems that support a sustainable ocean economy, with consideration for factors such as climate change that influence ecosystem health, resource use, and resilience.

Kelly has worked directly in Africa and with Small Island Developing States and coastal nations, contributing to multinational initiatives across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Oceania, the Americas, Canada, and Europe. Her collaborative approach is grounded in transdisciplinary research and knowledge co-creation, shaped by partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, private sector actors, and NGOs.

She is a member of the Expert Group supporting the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) and is trained in Negotiation for Sustainable Development (Mutual Gains Approach). Kelly applies her expertise across marine and terrestrial ecosystems and is currently finalising a PhD that explores the role of knowledge mobilisation in decision-making to support the development of a blue economy that is inclusive, equitable, and grounded in long-term ecological and social resilience.