Paul Baribault Appointed as CEO of REV Ocean

REV Ocean has appointed Paul Baribault as Chief Executive Officer as the organization moves towards the international debut of its 195-meter research vessel in Rio de Janeiro in April 2027, alongside the UN Ocean Decade Conference.

Baribault joins as REV Ocean moves from a decade of engineering and construction into international operations. His mandate will be to build the international partnerships, funding base and organization needed to turn REV Ocean’s scientific capabilities into lasting ocean impact.

Baribault served as President and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance from 2019 to 2025, expanding its global conservation programs and partnerships. Previously, he held senior roles at The Walt Disney Studios, including General Manager of Disneynature, where he developed conservation initiatives supporting habitat protection and restoration. He has also served as Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute.

“REV Ocean represents an extraordinary opportunity to change what is possible for ocean science and conservation," said Baribault. "By giving scientists access to world-class technology and connecting their discoveries with those who can act, we can turn knowledge into meaningful progress. I look forward to building on the remarkable work already underway and expanding REV Ocean's international reach and impact.”

At the heart of REV Ocean's mission is a commitment to making advanced ocean science more accessible. The organization plans to provide selected scientific teams with access to the vessel, specialist equipment and experienced crew without charging for vessel time, subject to scientific selection and operational requirements.

REV's first ten philanthropic science missions, beginning in 2027, are planned with partners across the South Atlantic, Caribbean and Eastern Tropical Pacific. They will address urgent challenges including marine protected areas, plastic pollution and strengthening regional scientific capacity, helping connect research with conservation decisions.

Under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer and former Interim CEO Silje Ulvestad, REV Ocean's international team has overseen preparations for the vessel's transition into operation, including the testing of scientific systems, crew readiness and collaboration with research partners.