Duke Alumni Fireside Chat: Innovation in the Ocean Economy (Maritime Edition) with Anjali D. Boyd and Ingrid Irigoyen
Hosted by Duke Alumni in Climate and Sustainability
💡 Why attend?
The ocean economy is entering a new era. Our oceans are increasingly becoming a space for investment, innovation, and commercial solutions that can drive both economic growth and climate impact.
Join us for a Duke Climate Alumni Fireside Chat featuring Ingrid Irigoyen, Duke alumna and President and CEO of the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), a non-profit organization and first-of-its-kind maritime buyers group that accelerates commercial deployment of clean energy-powered shipping, enables economies of scale for first movers, and supports corporate freight buyer engagement in maritime clean energy policy.
Hosted by Anjali D. Boyd, a Duke Ph.D. Candidate in Marine Science and Conservation, Dean's Graduate Fellow at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, and Ocean Scientist at Fleet Robotics. Anjali develops underwater drones that help ships use less fuel and emit less CO₂ by keeping their hulls free of barnacles and other marine growth.
This conversation will explore how emerging technologies, new markets, and innovative business models are transforming the maritime sector - and what that tells us about the future of the broader blue economy.
💡 What's the focus?
We'll begin with Ingrid's personal journey from Duke into leadership at the forefront of maritime decarbonization before exploring one of the fastest-growing frontiers in climate innovation: the blue economy.
Together, we'll discuss:
How the ocean economy is evolving beyond conservation toward investment, innovation, and commercial opportunity
Why maritime shipping is becoming a leading case study for climate technology and market transformation
The emerging ecosystem of startups, investors, corporations, and policymakers shaping the future of ocean industries
Career pathways for students and professionals looking to build impact across climate, oceans, and technology
Whether you're interested in climate, oceans, entrepreneurship, investing, policy, or sustainability, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how innovation is reshaping one of the world's largest—and most overlooked—economic frontiers.
👥 About the Speakers
Ingrid Irigoyen
Ingrid Irigoyen is a Duke alumna and the President and CEO of ZEMBA (Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance), where she works with leading global companies to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy-powered shipping. Her career has spanned ocean conservation, international policy, and sustainable business, making her one of the leading voices helping shape the future of the blue economy.
Anjali D. Boyd (Host)
Hosted by Anjali D. Boyd, a Duke Ph.D. Candidate in Marine Science and Conservation, Dean’s Graduate Fellow at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, and Product Manager at Fleet Robotics, a Boston-based startup developing autonomous robotic platforms that keep ship hulls free of marine growth, cutting fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
🗓 Event Details
When: July 24, 2026 3-3:45PM
Where: Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
Who's invited? Anyone interested in learning more is welcome to join (priority will be given to Duke alumni based on space).
About This Fireside Chat Series
We feature leaders from across climate and sustainability fields, including Duke alumni and external experts, to provide fresh perspectives and actionable ideas. Conversations are open to the Duke community (alumni, graduating students, faculty, administrators, parents, and friends). This series is presented by Duke Alumni in Climate and Sustainability.
Fireside Chat Conversation Agreements
Come with curiosity, not assumptions
Listen to understand, not to respond
Speak from your own experience
Respect privacy—what's shared here stays here
Keep questions thoughtful and generous in spirit
This event may be recorded, based on the guest's preferences, to share insights with the wider community, but the full conversation will not be released to help preserve an open, present-focused discussion.