PROFILE
Thalassophile. Environmentalist. Traveler. Surfer. Founder. Operator. Investor. Partner at Propeller where I invest in pre-seed and seed stage startups working at the ocean-climate nexus.
CAREER
I most recently served a dual-role as SVP of Ocean Responsibility at the World Surf League, and as Executive Director at WSL PURE, the World Surf League’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on ocean conservation. In that capacity, I led multiple firsts for the organizations -- including reducing (25% from baseline year) and neutralizing Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas emissions of WSL ops/Championship Tour with a portfolio of 100% nature-based solutions, building a path to eliminate single-serve plastic, reducing physical event footprints, and activating fans, athletes, and partners in sustainability initiatives on site and through the WSL’s impressive global broadcasts. Additionally, I identified, pitched, and developed partnerships with global sustainability sponsors to secure revenue for the WSL, while also growing and maintaining partnerships with marquee environmental NGOs. Under my tenure, we also rebranded and relaunched WSL PURE, engaged ambassadors and influencers, and creatively crafted and collaborated on environmental messages for campaigns like #StopTrashingWaves, #GlowingGlowingGone, and #WeAreOneOcean.
To better support the work of partner NGOs, I designed and launched the inaugural WSL PURE Grant Program which funds the groups on the ground working to protect the ocean. Additionally, I was fortunate to serve as Executive Producer and on-camera spokesperson for sustainability content across a number of channels, but most notably as host of the WSL PURE | One Ocean podcast. Finally, it was an honor to also serve as Co-Chair for the Working Group for Climate Education and Advocacy for UNFCCC, Sports For Climate Action initiative in which we coordinated the climate communications of international sport leagues and teams.
Prior to my time at the WSL, I spent considerable time volunteering with Surfrider Foundation (NYC), The 5 Gyres Institute, Conservaçion Patagonica/Tompkins Conservation, WAVES For Development, and more, but my early career was in tech startups and digital media.
Prior to my sabbatical, I fulfilled a one year commitment to Samsung Research America after the merger of my startup, Shelby.tv, to Samsung's "PX" a unique product R&D group in NYC wherein I focused on our relationships with content partners. “PX” was a special project within Samsung Research America reimagining and building the “Perfect Experience” for TV. The PX project was built out of multiple startup acquisitions and grew from 30 people to ~100 FTEs in its first year, while building incredibly visionary technology that was sadly never never released to the public.
I came to Samsung by way of the acquisition of Shelby.tv that I co-founded. Shelby.tv was a venture-backed, consumer video discovery startup on a mission to better connect audiences to their favorite online content across platforms and devices. Shelby.tv was born out of participation in the TechStars accelerator program, an intensive incubator for technology leaders in NYC. We built visionary software that processed billions of video links shared across social networks, provided proprietary recommendations, and broke new ground in user experience trends that are now common today. I was proud to co-found and serve as CEO for our hearty team of engineers and creative thinkers.
My career in video discovery was birthed from previous experience building a SaaS video coaching and exchange platform for amateur athletics called HomeField. Alongside tremendous co-founders, our startup challenged the status quo, solved critical pain points for our customers - coaches and athletes - and helped me cut my teeth as a startup CEO.
I also previously worked in film/TV/media production at a small production house and on a big Hollywood film. I got my start in video/digital media at Brown University where I studied Art Semiotics in the Modern Culture & Media department.
If you're looking for a more clear professional history, LinkedIn to the rescue.
ROOTS
I was born and raised in Falmouth, MA, a quiet seaside tourist town on Cape Cod, and I grew up in our family restaurant business. Through this, I learned a lot about humans, hard work, and hustle, as well as community, compassion, and creating something from nothing.
I love doing good work, with good people, for the right reasons. I love having fun and finding joy in my work. I love the human experience, and I consider myself an extremely fortunate person who is grateful to exist on this pale blue dot.
I'm an avid traveler. Many of my adventures are available on anneliseandreece.surf, which I cowrote with my incredible partner, Annelise. We now live in Massachusetts with our rescue-pup, Honey.