About us

The Blue Bond Accelerator (BBA) is global not-for-profit initiative dedicated to unlocking the potential of the blue bond market to finance ocean and coastal resilience. By combining technical assistance, market expertise, and risk mitigation strategies, we empower issuers, investors, and policymakers to develop financial solutions that protect and restore aquatic ecosystems.

Our Vision & Mission

We aim to catalyse long-term, additional investment from global fixed-income markets into regenerative and sustainable blue economies, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Through financial innovation and strategic partnerships, we work to strengthen aquatic ecosystems, boost economic resilience, and support communities whose livelihoods depend on a healthy ocean.

Explore careers at Blue Bond Accelerator

Resilient Communities

Expanding access to sustainable and affordable financing to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable coastal communities.

Credible Markets

Ensuring the environmental integrity and credibility of blue bond issuances and related investment activities.

Coalition Building

Aligning governments, international institutions, and financial stakeholders to accelerate the development of a sustainable blue economy.

The Team

Nick Silver

Executive Chair

Titia Sjenitzer

Co-Executive Director

Cate Lamb

Co-Executive Director

Karthik Iyer

Director of Market Engagement & Partnerships

Prashant Vaze

Director of Research and Analysis

Melissa Walsh

Advisory Board Chair

Advisory Board

Chris Smith

Managing Director and Global Head of Sovereign Sustainable Finance

Bankers without Boundaries

Constance Chalchat

Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Markets

BNP Paribas

Jessica Smith

Co-Head of Nature

UNEP FI

Kris Atkinson

Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

Fidelity International

Candice Stevens

CEO

Sustainable Finance Coalition

Justine Leigh-Bell

Co-CEO

Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute

Matt Lawton

Head of Impact Fixed Income

T. Rowe Price

Dennis Fritsch

Senior Advisor

Oceano Azul Foundation

Joywin Mathew

Partner, Debt Capital Markets and Sustainable Finance

DLA Piper

Angelique Pouponneau

Lead Ocean Negotiator

Alliance of Small Island States

Svetoslav Gatchev

Managing Director

The Nature Conservancy

Melissa Walsh

Director of Blue Finance and Scaling

Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance