Louise Naïma Laing

Louise Naïma Laing has a diverse and extensive work experience in the field of coral reef conservation and restoration. Louise Naïma co-founded People4Ocean® Sun Care in 2018, where they served as the Co-Founder, Communication & Purpose Lead, and later became the Co-Founder & CEO until February 2023. During their time at People4Ocean®, they witnessed the devastating impact of the 2016 El Niño climatic event on coral reefs in Seychelles.

In 2019, Louise provided consulting services to Coral Gardeners, a non-profit organization, where they developed a long-term restoration strategy for reef communities in Mo'orea Island North. This involved training a team in scientific monitoring, restoration techniques, and coral transplantation methods, as well as evaluating factors influencing restoration feasibility and effectiveness.

Louise Naïma also worked with Raffe Hotels & Resorts in 2019 as a representative of People4Ocean®, where they co-coordinated and implemented coral restoration and reef management training with the non-profit organization Corals for Conservation. This collaboration aimed to respond to mass coral bleaching in the Mamanuca Islands through the "Reefs of Hope" strategy.

Prior to their involvement with People4Ocean®, Louise worked at Nature Seychelles as a Technical & Scientific Officer for the Reef Rescuers Project from 2016 to 2017. In this role, they coordinated the project and conducted monitoring and reporting on coral bleaching events. Louise Naïma also played a key role in setting up a coral restoration project at the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort in Seychelles.

Louise's career began as a volunteer and trainee at Nature Seychelles in 2015, where they received intensive training in large-scale coral reef restoration. Louise Naïma also worked as a Marine Biologist at INDIGO Divers Mauritius in 2014, focusing on conservation strategies and organizing awareness campaigns.

Additionally, Louise gained experience in fundraising and donor recruitment as a Donation Recruiter for WWF France and worked as a Laboratory Technician at AQUAMAY, an association for the development of aquaculture in Mayotte.

Overall, Louise Naïma Laing has demonstrated a strong commitment to coral reef conservation and restoration through their various roles and experiences. Louise Naïma'swork has focused on developing and implementing strategies to protect and restore coral reefs, as well as raising awareness about the importance of reef ecosystems.

Louise Naïma Laing holds a Master's degree in Marine Sciences, which they obtained from James Cook University in 2012-2013. Prior to that, they completed their Bachelor's degree in Biology/Biological Sciences, General from Pierre and Marie Curie University in the period of 2007-2011. Additionally, they pursued a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Valencia in 2009-2010. In terms of certifications, Louise Naïma Laing holds a PADI Rescue Diver certification, which they obtained from PADI in May 2015.