Karina Klais

Karina Klais is the Florida Chapter Director and Social Media lead for My Clean Ocean — a lifelong sailor, conservation educator, and ocean advocate who brings a global perspective and deep coastal roots to the mission.

Born and raised in Estonia on the shores of the Baltic Sea, Karina has been sailing since the age of six. The ocean isn't just where she grew up — it shaped everything she believes in. That early connection to the sea became the foundation for a career dedicated to protecting it.

Before joining My Clean Ocean, Karina worked with the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Estonia, educating local communities about the importance of protecting coastlines, marine ecosystems, and the natural world. She understands firsthand that ocean conservation begins with people — and that the most powerful tool we have is helping young people fall in love with the sea.

Now based in Florida, Karina is building My Clean Ocean's first East Coast chapter — expanding the organization's reach, growing its community, and sharing the mission with a new generation of ocean defenders through social media and on-the-ground programming.

When she's not working, you'll find her sailing, snorkeling, or organizing beach cleanups. She grows her own vegetables, spends time in forests, and brings her family into everything she does — passing on the values of environmental responsibility, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.