​Dr. Mere Takoko — Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Takoko is an Indigenous climate conservationist, scholar, and the visionary architect behind the Moananui Sanctuary. Her work sits at the intersection of traditional ecological knowledge, Indigenous rights of nature frameworks and macroeconomics. As an Ambassador to the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, she champions the integration of Indigenous rights and equity within global nature markets. Her tireless advocacy for the ocean has brought the story of the Moananui to the world stage, with her advocacy featured across CNN, the BBC, Disney+, and Prime.

(Read Mere's full bio).
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Linda Bercusson — Chief Operating Officer​
Linda is the operational anchor of the Sanctuary, bringing a unique blend of strategic acumen and deep conservation expertise. Drawing on her extensive background as a former Conservation International advisor and her years of driving collaborative frameworks for Pacific Ocean protection, she translates visionary science and policy into actionable, on-the-ground impact. Linda is instrumental in aligning global conservation leaders, policymakers, and local communities to ensure our initiatives are both scalable and deeply respectful of local ecosystems.

(Read Linda's full bio).