Leadership Profile
Merle Liivand
Advisor – Climate & Oceans
Merle Liivand is a 10-time Guinness World Record–holding swimmer, environmental advocate, and founder of the “Eco Mermaid” movement. Born in Estonia and now based in the U.S., she combines athletic endurance with marine conservation—swimming marathon distances with a monofin while collecting trash from polluted waters. A former Olympic hopeful and lung disease survivor, she founded the Mermaid School to educate youth about ocean protection. Merle’s swims have inspired global awareness of plastic pollution and earned her recognition as a bold voice for climate action, sports activism, and environmental education.
Focus Areas
Oceans & Biodiversity SDG14–15
Climate Action SDG13
Education & Youth Empowerment SDG4
Sustainable Cities SDG11
Recognition & Advocacy