Anthony Hsieh and Riccardo Pavoncelli Join the Mission to Return our World’s Oceans to Balance and Abundance

October 23, 2024 – OCEARCH, a global non-profit dedicated to groundbreaking research and ocean conservation, is pleased to announce the addition of two distinguished individuals to its Board of Directors: Anthony Hsieh, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, and Riccardo Pavoncelli, world-class sailboat racer and dedicated conservationist.

Advancing OCEARCH’s Mission with New Leadership

As OCEARCH continues its mission to accelerate the ocean’s return to balance and abundance, the organization welcomes these high-profile leaders who bring unique perspectives and expertise to help guide its initiatives. OCEARCH is globally recognized for its unprecedented research on the ocean’s giants, collecting critical data to inform conservation efforts worldwide.
Chris Fischer, OCEARCH’s Founder and Chairman, expressed his enthusiasm about the vital role these new appointments will play in advancing the organization’s mission:
“We are at a pivotal moment in ocean conservation, and the addition of these remarkable leaders to our board marks a significant step forward for OCEARCH. Their vision and dedication will help us push the boundaries of research and conservation, ensuring the future of the ocean’s giants and the ecosystems they support. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome them to the team as we work together to create a thriving future for our oceans.”

Anthony Hsieh: Visionary Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Anthony Hsieh, who joined the OCEARCH board in 2024, is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and technological vision. As the founder and CEO of loanDepot, a leading national mortgage lender, Hsieh successfully navigated numerous economic cycles and disrupted the housing market. His legacy in the mortgage industry began with LoansDirect.com, which he sold to E-Trade in 2001, and continued through his founding of HomeLoanCenter.com, which merged with LendingTree in 2004.
Beyond business, Hsieh is an avid adventurer, currently exploring the world on a three-year tour with Badco Fishing. He is also deeply committed to philanthropy, founding the War Heroes on Water annual fishing competition, which raises funds for therapeutic services for wounded U.S. veterans. His business acumen, adventurous spirit, and dedication to giving back make him a valuable addition to OCEARCH’s mission-driven team.

Anthony Hsieh: Entrepreneur and Conservation Advocate
Anthony Hsieh, Founder of BadCo Fishing and philanthropist,
brings his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to ocean conservation as a new OCEARCH board member.

Riccardo Pavoncelli: Conservationist and Global Perspective

Riccardo Pavoncelli brings a global perspective to OCEARCH’s board, having supported the organization since 2016, when it discovered the white shark nursery site in the North Western Atlantic. As a world-class sailboat racer and philanthropist, Pavoncelli is passionate about ocean conservation and is committed to advancing OCEARCH’s international initiatives, including the Save the Med, Global White Shark Project.

Pavoncelli’s professional background includes leadership positions in prominent financial institutions and roles on the boards of various companies. His experience across industries, combined with his deep love for the ocean, ensures that OCEARCH’s global conservation efforts will continue to grow under his guidance.

Chris Fischer highlighted the significance of bringing these new leaders on board:
“OCEARCH’s mission thrives on collaboration and innovation, and Anthony and Riccardo embody both. Their leadership and commitment to conservation will be crucial in helping us shape strategies that inspire global action and drive breakthroughs in ocean research. Together, we are building a legacy of hope and discovery that will protect our oceans for generations to come.”

Riccardo Pavoncelli: World-Class Sailor and Ocean Conservationist
Riccardo Pavoncelli (right), an award-winning, world-class sailor
and philanthropist, brings a global perspective to OCEARCH’s mission
of ocean conservation and scientific research.

OCEARCH Leading Global Ocean Conservation
OCEARCH research vessel with scientists and crew conducting groundbreaking research on
sharks and other ocean giants to promote conservation and global awareness.

OCEARCH’s Pioneering Shark Research
OCEARCH’s groundbreaking shark research helps collect critical data through tagging and tracking,
contributing to the conservation of ocean ecosystems.

About OCEARCH
OCEARCH is a global non-profit organization conducting unprecedented research on our ocean’s giants to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean. Our mission is to return our world’s oceans to balance and abundance through fearless innovations in critical scientific research, education, outreach, and policy using unique collaborations of individuals and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. OCEARCH is recognized as a world leader in generating scientific data related to tracking (telemetry) and biological studies of keystone marine species such as white sharks, tiger sharks, and more. OCEARCH provides a free open-sourced Global Shark Tracker™ and app that allows scientists, educators, and fans alike to learn about the never-before documented movements of our ocean’s animals. The non-profit organization provides a free STEM education curriculum that enables students to learn STEM skills while promoting environmental awareness. OCEARCH’s academic home is Jacksonville University and our research is proudly supported by the following socially responsible organizations: Costa Sunglasses, SeaWorld, Yeti Coolers, Yamaha Rightwaters, Landry’s Inc., and Cisco Brewers. Learn more at ocearch.org.

For more information about OCEARCH and its board of directors,
visit www.ocearch.org

For More Information:
Nicole Ralston
CMO
386-547-6150
nralston@ocearch.org