---
title: About Us
---

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- [OUR MISSION](https://4oceanfoundation.org/mission)
- [OUR IMPACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/our-impact)
- [ABOUT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/about)

    - [Impact Partners](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners)
- [CONTACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/contact)

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![](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/about.png?width=2880&height=1000&name=about.png)

# Founded by ocean advocates Powered by world-class leadership

The story of how two surfers started a movement — and why the Foundation exists to take it further.

- [Our Story](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section1)
- [Milestones](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section2)
- [Mission](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section3)
- [Our team](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section4)
- [Goals](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section5)
- [Theory of Change](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp-about-us#section6)

Our story

## It started on the beach.

In 2017, Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper were surfing off the coast of Bali when they noticed something that stopped them cold — the water was thick with plastic. Fishing nets, bottles, bags, wrappers. More trash than they could count.

They didn't start a nonprofit. They started a business — 4ocean Public Benefit Corporation — with a simple premise: sell a product, fund a cleanup. The model worked. Within years, 4ocean had built one of the largest ocean cleanup operations in history, removing tens of millions of pounds of plastic with professional crews operating around the world.

In 2023, 4ocean Foundation was established as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit — to expand the mission beyond what a product-driven model alone could achieve, unlocking philanthropy, grants, and donor partnerships to fund operations that don't depend on sales cycles.

![about-story](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/about-story.png?width=568&height=440&name=about-story.png)

Timeline

## Key milestones

1. 2017
   
   ### 4ocean PBC Founded
   
   4ocean PBC was established in South Florida, pioneering a business model that funds ocean cleanup through product sales.
2. 2018 - 2020
   
   ### Global Expansion
   
   4ocean expands internationally, establishing professional cleanup operations in Bali, Indonesia; Haiti; and Guatemala, creating local jobs and advancing its mission to combat ocean plastic pollution.
3. 2023
   
   ### 4ocean Foundation Established
   
   4ocean Foundation assumes the Bali cleanup operations, expanding their reach and impact through a model powered exclusively by philanthropy. This transition marks a new chapter in scaling ocean cleanup while supporting local livelihoods and marine conservation.
4. 2025
   
   ### A New Era of Philanthropic Impact
   
   4ocean Foundation assumes the Bali cleanup operations, expanding their reach and impact through a model powered exclusively by philanthropy. This transition marks a new chapter in scaling ocean cleanup while supporting local livelihoods and marine conservation.
5. 2025
   
   ### One Mission. Two Powerful Models.
   
   Today, 4ocean PBC continues its cleanup operations in South Florida and Java, Indonesia, powered by sustainable product sales and business partnerships. Alongside it, 4ocean Foundation advances donor-funded cleanup operations in Bali. As two distinct organizations united by one mission, they are expanding the ways individuals, businesses, and philanthropists can help protect our Ocean.

![Clean.Jembrana.Ocean.224](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Clean.Jembrana.Ocean.224.png?width=412&height=639&name=Clean.Jembrana.Ocean.224.png)

How we're structured

## Two entities. One Mission.

- ![t1-2](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/t1-2.png?width=405&height=350&name=t1-2.png)
  
  ### 4ocean Foundation
  
  A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Funded by individual donations, grants, and philanthropic partnerships. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible and go directly to cleanup operations and education programs.
  
   EIN 88-2694307 · Founded 2023
- ![t2](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/t2.png?width=405&height=350&name=t2.png)
  
  ### 4ocean Public Benefit Corporation
  
  A for-profit Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corporation. Funded through product sales and corporate partnerships. Operates its own cleanup crews globally.
  
   Founded 2017 · [4ocean.com](https://4ocean.com/)

Our team

## Foundation leadership

- ![mem1](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mem1.png?width=163&height=173&name=mem1.png)
  
  ### Jack Lighton
  
  Executive Director
- ![craig](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/craig.png?width=163&height=173&name=craig.png)
  
  ### Craig Stewart
  
  Chief Financial Officer
- ![GirlCraig](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/GirlCraig.png?width=163&height=173&name=GirlCraig.png)
  
  ### Craig Stewart
  
  Assoc. Director of Development
- ![bryan](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/bryan.png?width=163&height=173&name=bryan.png)
  
  ### Bryan Kowalsky
  
  Director of Creative & Social
- ![chad](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/chad.png?width=163&height=173&name=chad.png)
  
  ### Chad Glendenin
  
  Chief Technology Advisor
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Bridgette Anthony
  
  Development & Marketing
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Sheelagh Daly
  
  Junior Creative
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Tyler Dunning
  
  Title TBC
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Lynn Marocco
  
  Title TBC
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Chester Suarez
  
  Title TBC
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Caitlin Farmer
  
  Title TBC
- ![default](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/default.png?width=163&height=173&name=default.png)
  
  ### Andi Rachmansyah
  
  Indonesia Operations Lead

Governance

## Board of Directors

- ![board-def](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/board-def.svg)
  
  ### Alex Schulze
  
  Co-Founder & CEO, 4ocean PBC
  
  Co-founded 4ocean in 2017 after seeing the scale of plastic pollution in Bali. Under his leadership, 4ocean grew into a globally recognized ocean cleanup brand.
- ![board-def](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/board-def.svg)
  
  ### Mark Pathy
  
  CEO & Chairman, Mavrik Corp
  
  Business leader and philanthropist based in Montreal. Chairman of Stingray Group Inc. and a private astronaut who flew to the ISS on Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission.
- ![board-def](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/board-def.svg)
  
  ### Shawn Zarbatany
  
  President & CEO, Zardev Inc.
  
  Hospitality entrepreneur and developer. Led the $150M+ transformation of Quebec's Estérel Resort. Serves on the boards of the Neuro Efficiency Foundation and 4ocean Foundation.

Global alignment

## Our commitment to global goals

- [![go1](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/go1.png?width=275&height=275&name=go1.png)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)
  
  Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  
  [Learn more →](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)
- [![go2](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/go2.png?width=275&height=275&name=go2.png)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)
  
  Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts
  
  [Learn more →](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)
- [![go3](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/go3.png?width=275&height=275&name=go3.png)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)
  
  Conserve and sustainably use the ocean, sea and marine resources for sustainable development.
  
  [Learn more →](https://4oceanfoundation.org/temp)

Go deeper into the mission

![Cleanup crew on the water](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/Cleanup%20crew%20on%20the%20water.png)

### Impact Report

The story behind 4ocean Foundation and the people driving the mission.

![Cleanup crew on the water-1](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/Cleanup%20crew%20on%20the%20water-1.png)

### Theory of Change

Audited reports and a full breakdown of how your donations are allocated.

![](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/4Ocean%20Theme/images/4oceanwhite.svg)

Removing plastic from the ocean, rivers, and coastlines — powered by donations.

![](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/4Ocean%20Theme/images/partner.svg)

 Our Mission

- [About Us](https://4oceanfoundation.org/race-for-change)
- [Theory of Change](https://4oceanfoundation.org/race-for-change)
- [Financials](https://4oceanfoundation.org/race-for-change)
- [FAQ](https://4oceanfoundation.org/race-for-change)

 Our Impact

- [Impact Stories](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners)
- [Impact Reports](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners)
- [Cleanup Map](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners)

 Get Involved

- [Donate](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)
- [Campaigns](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)
- [Events](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)
- [Ocean Literacy](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)
- [Our Partners](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)
- [Contact Us](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate)

Stay Updated

Updates on cleanups, campaigns, and impact.

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