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The people behind the community
Ellen Sandvik Mikkelsen
Executive Director
She is a values-driven leader and community builder with over 25 years of experience in politics, inclusion, and local community development. She is known for developing, driving forward, and anchoring initiatives that create lasting structures - and for building bridges between people, sectors, and communities.
For Ellen, sustainability is about people. She connects the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the principle of Leave No One Behind to everyday life, from inclusive communities to concrete actions that strengthen both health and belonging.
Write me!
ellen.mikkelsen@vaarthav.org
Christina Koch
Project Leader
Christina lives in beautiful Tromsø and was born and raised in the heart of Berlin. Her love for Norway began when she came to Alta at the age of 18 to work as a volunteer for a year. Since then, she has had the joy of studying in several exciting countries, including Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, and Germany, and she holds a master’s degree in Global Studies.
Over the years, she has worked extensively with volunteering and youth work,
and she is passionate about a more sustainable future.
Write me!
christina.koch@vaarthav.org
Anahi Johnsen
Kommunikasjon & visuell formidling
With over 20 years of experience in creative work, communication, and project development, she brings a broad and deep perspective. After working in documentary film and living 21 years in Chile, she has gained close insight into both the vulnerability of nature and the living conditions of people - experiences that have shaped her commitment to the environment, social justice, and animal welfare.
Anahi is currently studying backend development, combining technological insight with
a creative background and values-based work.
Write me!
anahi.johnsen@vaarthav.org
Pia Fredriksen
Senior Advisor Youth Work and Development
Teacher and youth professional with a strong commitment to young people, inclusion, and safe communities. Pia has extensive experience working with children and youth in diverse life situations, and focuses on how participation, relationships, and non-formal learning can foster confidence, belonging, and personal development.
Pia believes in cooperative learning environments where everyone has something valuable to contribute,
and where people grow when they are seen and taken seriously.
Write me!
pia.fredriksen@vaarthav.org
Irma Sophia Estelle Sandvik Mikkelsen
Youth Representative
Irma Sophia is from Eastern Norway and now lives on Seløy. She is socially engaged, curious, and passionate about using her voice. With an interest in politics, debate, and youth participation, she wants to help ensure th
For Irma Sophia, engagement is about creating real impact, to participate, learn,
and help shape the society she herself will grow up in
The Board
Maja Bernhoff
Chair of the Board
Maja lives in Alta and was born and raised in Helgeland. She works as an environmental advisor in construction and development projects, and holds a master’s degree in environment and natural resources, including an exchange period in Svalbard.
Through volunteer work and time spent in several small Arctic communities near the ocean, she has seen how climate change, waste, and loss of biodiversity affect both nature and people. These experiences have shaped her commitment to being a voice for nature and contributing to communities that balance value creation with environmental stewardship.
Sten Helberg
Board Member
Sten is best described as an idea-maker and project leader. He is known for getting people involved in simple, impactful concepts - including the Coastal Lottery, Marine Care, and now the Wooden Boat Collective.
He thrives when multiple processes are happening at once, and when new people come together to find shared solutions to challenges they didn’t think could be solved collectively.
Bo Eide
Board Member
Bo has led beach clean-ups in the Tromsø region since 2010/2011, and rightly says that the region “probably has the cleanest coastline in the country.”
As a climate and environmental advisor in Tromsø municipality and project manager for Ren Kyst, he has mobilized thousands of volunteers and built strong local engagement.
Advisors
Advisor
Christine Myrseth
I am a legal professional specialising in ecosystem-based management in Arctic marine ecosystems, and I also hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental ethics, politics, and leadership. I am passionate about cross-disciplinary collaboration and communicating knowledge that strengthens ocean governance. Through Our Ocean Foundation, I get to contribute to engagement, network-building, and raising awareness about how essential the ocean is for all life.
Advisor
Filip Maric
I am an associate professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, where I teach sustainability and public health for physiotherapy and occupational therapy students. I also lead an international network for sustainable physiotherapy.
Being an advisor for Our Ocean Foundation is a natural extension of this work - because their initiatives strengthen both public health and sustainability in the north.
Advisor
Johan Peder Grell
I am from Gothenburg but have lived in Hammerfest since 2001.
As chair of Hammerfest and Omegn Turlag and project manager for the Sherpa staircase, I am passionate about making an outdoor lifestyle accessible to everyone.
Being an advisor for Our Ocean Foundation is an honor, and I hope to contribute to strengthening the community, joy in nature, and respect for our ocean.
Advisor
Emily Reast
I originally come from Alaska and moved to Tromsø to pursue a master’s degree in Arctic marine biology, focusing on Arctic plants and marine algae. At Vårt Hav, I contribute as an advisor and project team member across various projects, where I combine ecological expertise with teaching and community engagement. I am particularly interested in contributing to projects that strengthen environmental awareness and local participation.
Advisor
Hilde Therese Normo
I work as a youth coordinator in Troms County Municipality, and I have a long history of working with youth participation, activity programs, and events.
I am passionate about how youth can be active citizens and contribute to thriving local communities.
As an advisor for Our Ocean Foundation, I engage in topics where knowledge and action must go hand in hand to take care of our planet.
Advisor
Nina Sivertsen
I am a nurse with further education in health law, case management, and personnel leadership, with experience in both somatic and mental health work. At Our Ocean Foundation, I contribute within public health and life skill development, with a focus on social belonging, mental health, and everyday coping.
I want to create projects that allow people to thrive — and I believe real sustainability grows through community and care.