Meet the Speakers Shaping the 2026 Blue Foods Forum
The Blue Foods Forum returns to Portland on February 1–2, bringing together impact investors, funders, producers, nonprofits, researchers, policymakers, and creatives to explore the future of Oregon’s blue foods economy.
This year’s Forum centers around several events, including the Seafaring Speakeasy — an immersive, creative gathering that blends food, drink, art, and storytelling; and the Seafaring Symposium — a deeper, day-long convening focused on systems change, investment, workforce equity, food sovereignty, and scalable innovation across the seafood value chain. View the full event lineup here, and make sure you are registered!
Below is a preview of just some of the confirmed speakers you’ll hear from at this year’s event.
Alexandra Leeper
CEO, Iceland Ocean Cluster | Global Ecosystem Lead, Blue Nova Ventures
We’re thrilled to welcome back Alexandra Leeper, CEO of the Iceland Ocean Cluster and a leading global voice in the 100% Fish movement. Alexandra spoke at last year’s Blue Foods Forum and the Oregon Economics Summit, sharing how Iceland has become a global model for full-value utilization of seafood.
Since last year, the Iceland Ocean Cluster has launched fundraising efforts for Blue Nova Ventures, a new venture fund supporting blue food innovation worldwide. As Global Ecosystem Lead, Alexandra connects entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators across international blue economies. Her perspective offers invaluable insight into where Oregon fits within the global blue foods landscape—and where we’re headed next.
Alanna Kieffer
Founder, Winter Waters & Shifting Tides
The Blue Foods Forum kicks off the broader Winter Waters event series, celebrating creative uses of our coastal bounty. Alanna Kieffer, founder of Winter Waters and Shifting Tides, brings a multidisciplinary approach that blends science, education, seaweed farming, culinary creativity, and storytelling.
Alanna’s work reminds us that knowledge is power—and that meaningful change often begins around a shared table. Her perspective sets the tone for a Forum grounded in curiosity, creativity, and deep respect for marine ecosystems.
Julie Kuchepatov
Founder, Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE)
A resilient seafood system must also be a just one. Julie Kuchepatov, founder of Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE), is a leading advocate for workforce equity, safety, and empowerment across the seafood sector.
Julie previously helped build Fair Trade USA’s globally recognized seafood program, advancing worker protections, environmental sustainability, and supply-chain accountability. Before that, she spent more than two decades improving wild fisheries through her work with the Wild Salmon Center and as a founding member of Ocean Outcomes. At the Forum, Julie will help ground conversations around innovation in the realities of people, labor, and equity.
Cara Monson
Tribal Resilience Specialist, Coquille Indian Tribe
Place-based leadership is central to the future of blue foods. Cara Monson, Tribal Resilience Specialist for the Coquille Indian Tribe, works to strengthen Food Sovereignty, Water Sovereignty, and Energy Sovereignty for the Tribal Nation.
Cara connects Tribal Members with opportunities like scuba certification through the Oregon Kelp Alliance to dive for Purple Sea Urchins—supporting ecological balance, workforce development, and community-led stewardship. With a background in environmental science, GIS, emergency management, and ecosystem restoration, Cara brings firsthand experience from environmental disaster response, coastal restoration, and ongoing community emergency preparedness.
These speakers represent just a portion of the voices joining us at the 2026 Blue Foods Forum. Together, they reflect the diverse expertise, lived experience, and innovative thinking required to build a resilient, inclusive, and thriving blue foods economy in Oregon and beyond.
Make sure you’re in the room.
👉 Get your tickets here
