As founder of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), Daniela V. Fernandez has led the organization since the age of 19 from college room-concept to the world's largest network of young ocean leaders. SOA cultivates and accelerates innovative solutions to protect and sustain the health of the ocean in over 50 countries. Under Fernandez's leadership, the organization launched the first-ever Ocean Solutions Accelerator to support ocean start-ups, and partners with corporations, NGOs, and governments to develop technological solutions that can address the greatest threats facing our planet.

Fernandez has been recognized for her work by former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, President Bill Clinton, and EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella. She is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and a member of the Friends of Ocean Action, a select group of leaders coming together to fast-track solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the ocean. She has been listed as Azula’s Top 5 Ocean Heroes of 2016, named one of Glamour Magazine’s College Women of the Year, received the Peter Benchley Ocean Award, and Bustle Upstart Award.