Isabelle Ho is a passionate ocean advocate and youth scuba diver from Singapore committed to empowering and amplifying youth voices in conservation. Having started scuba diving at the age of eight, Isabelle is now a Rescue Diver with over 200 dives.
Growing up in Singapore, Isabelle has witnessed both the beauty and fragility of the ocean in the region. While scuba diving, she has experienced magical encounters with marine life, as well as the devastating impacts of human activity on our ocean, from coral bleaching and pollution to destructive practices like dynamite fishing. Her time underwater has shaped her dedication to safeguarding marine biodiversity and inspired her to connect young people to the ocean.
She is the Founder and leader of Kaia Initiative, a youth community that aims to inspire and educate youth about scuba diving and marine conservation, led by students aged 18 and under. Kaia Initiative has grown to over 100 members and impacted more than 1000 youths with a diverse range of activities – from funding youth scuba certifications to virtual sharing sessions with experts, school and corporate talks, citizen science, cleanups and intertidal walks, and more. She has spearheaded Kaia Initiative’s local and international collaborations with various organizations like the International SeaKeepers Society, WWF Singapore, and more. Notably, Kaia Initiative was the only all-youth action team contributing to World Oceans Passive Acoustic Monitoring Day (WOPAM, Cornell University), an international bioacoustics study.
Recently, she represented NBCo at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) 2025, immersing her in the heart of global ocean governance. She connected with a diverse network of changemakers and professionals, gleaning insights into and exchanging ideas on accelerating ocean solutions worldwide. This opportunity deepened her understanding of conservation efforts and reinforced her belief that youth voices are critical to shaping sustainable futures – strengthening her commitment to driving youth-centered solutions for the planet’s future.
Currently, Isabelle is the Hub President of Sustainable Ocean Alliance Singapore, where she leads the country’s first hub to empower youth in driving local climate and marine conservation action. Isabelle is a member of the inaugural Singapore cohort of International Junior SeaKeepers, a Manta Trust Youth Ambassador, and a YOUTHTOPIA Circle of Youth Changemaker, joining a global network of inspiring young leaders. She represents youth voices at various platforms, being a speaker and panelist at Asia Dive Expo.
Isabelle is drawn to the intersections of empathetic storytelling, science communication, and youth engagement. As a linguistics student, she values the power of language in shaping perspectives and galvanizing action. With aspirations to pursue environmental studies at university, she hopes to bridge science, advocacy, and policy to design sustainable solutions that are equitable and inclusive.
At heart, Isabelle is motivated by the belief that young people have the power to drive meaningful change when given the tools and platforms to act. Through her work, she aims to inspire other youths to connect with the ocean, champion conservation, and shape resilient futures for both people and planet.