David Sussmann
Chairman - Founder
During his many business trips, David has witnessed the pollution and destruction of the natural environment. With a lifelong passion for the ocean, sailing and diving, he became aware of environmental issues and wanted to do something for the planet. That's how the idea for Pure Ocean came about.
Thomas de Williencourt
Director
Committed for many years to actions that defend the general interest, Thomas has actively participated in supporting biodiversity projects: agroecology / permaculture, pollinators / apiculture, aquaponics, agroforestry, ... Today, he continues his commitment as Director of Pure Ocean to help save the ocean.
Fundraising team
Gwen Lechat
Sponsorship Manager
Growing up in Brittany, opposite the Glénan islands, Gwen's love of the ocean and nature was born. A professional life devoted to marketing and then public interest communications naturally led her to put her skills at the service of her first love: the ocean. Gwen is in charge of sponsorship for Pure Ocean.
Samuel El Harrar
Business Development Manager
A Marseillais at heart, the sea is part of his DNA. Today, he joins the Pure Ocean team as a work-study student as part of his Master’s at Kedge Business School, with the mission of raising awareness among companies about ocean protection. His goal? Mobilizing entrepreneurs around concrete actions to protect this fragile ecosystem that we hold dear. Together, we can make a difference.
Catherine Lamy
Office manager
“The impossible always recedes when we move towards it” – A. Saint-Exupéry. This is the quote that best defines her.
From business leader in the graphic industry, to ICU and operating room nurse, and now guardian of the Pure Ocean “temple” as Office Manager, there is only one step.
The step of commitment to humanity.
Because taking care of the Ocean means taking care of humanity.
Yves Le Mintier
Vice-President, Western France
After 35 years in the finance sector, he chose to return to his roots by settling on the Atlantic coast, where he has now been living for 25 years. The sea has always been a constant in his life, an unwavering passion that guides his choices and commitments. It is therefore only natural that he now dedicates himself to the protection and preservation of the Ocean alongside us, through skills-based sponsorship.
Science team
Charlie Mathiot
Scientific Coordinator
After completing his PhD on phytoplankton biology and carbon cycles, he chose to put his expertise at the service of ocean conservation. A graduate of AgroParisTech specialized in biotechnology, he is committed to education and awareness around major ocean challenges, climate science, and biodiversity. A passionate diver and marine biologist, he joined the team in 2022 to share his commitment with our patrons. He supports the Scientific Committee in the exciting process of selecting projects, and is also responsible for scientific monitoring and the dissemination of innovations emerging from projects supported by Pure Ocean.
Mathias Caurette
Assistant Scientific Coordinator
Originally from Aubagne and passionate about the sea and oceans, Mathias is pursuing a specialized environmental engineering program at UniLaSalle Rennes. It was by diving beneath the surface in the calanques of Cassis and La Ciotat that his commitment to the marine environment truly took shape. Very early on, he therefore turned toward marine ecology, a field that is so close to his heart.
His interest in preserving this biodiversity led him to join Pure Ocean as a work-study Assistant Scientific Coordinator, working alongside Charlie.
Event team
Sasha Gavlovsky
Event project Manager
After growing up in Corrèze, Sacha spent 10 years working with event agencies in Paris. But despite a fulfilling professional career, the lack of connection with nature gradually began to weigh on him. He therefore decided to move to Marseille, with the desire to put his event production expertise at the service of a cause that truly matters to him. He chose Pure Ocean Fund, which he joined as an Event Project Manager.
Jules Sussmann
Event Project Manager
Originally from Marseille and passionate about sport, Jules enjoys pushing himself across a variety of disciplines: handball, tennis, but also board sports such as skiing, bodyboarding, and surfing, which have taught him to look at the Ocean with respect and humility, aware of its beauty and fragility. Today, Jules joins the Pure Ocean team as a work-study student as part of his Bachelor’s at Kedge Business School. As an Event Project Manager, he is committed to channeling his energy into projects with a positive impact.
Communication team
Stephanie Lerner
Communications Manager
Franco-American, Stéphanie divides her time between her two loves - creating artworks from garbage gleaned from beaches, and communications. After many years spent in agencies, she joined Pure Ocean, where she is in charge of external communications and public relations.
Laura Desfossez
Digital Content Manager
After graduating as an engineer, Laura quickly transitioned into communications and marketing, with the goal of giving visibility to eco-responsible projects.
A lover of the sea from a very young age, she moved to Marseille in 2020, where she worked on several projects focused on environmental challenges in the solar energy sector.
Passionate about the Ocean and deeply aware of ecological issues, joining Pure Ocean was an obvious choice!
