Ocean Wonks LLC is a left-of-center consulting firm specializing in ocean conservation.

Sandra Whitehouse, the wife of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), is president of Ocean Wonks. She is a self-described “expert on ocean policy” and has articulated her consulting area of expertise as “advancing ocean sustainability grounded in social justice” and a familiarity with environmental law and regulation. ¹ With her background in marine science, Sandra has worked as a consultant to multiple environmentalist organizations, helping design policies that protect oceans, marine ecosystems, and coastal economies. ²

Background

Ocean Wonks was founded in 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island. ³

Tax documents through June 2022 from the Ocean Conservancy show that for every year since the reporting period ending June 2010, Sandra Whitehouse (or her consulting firm, Ocean Wonks LLC) was one of the nonprofit’s five highest paid consultants. Total payments during that period equaled $2,628,654. ⁴

Whitehouse’s LinkedIn account shows she became a senior policy advisor for Ocean Conservancy in September 2008, but tax records do not list her as one of the five highest paid consultants for the year ending September 2009. ^{5 6}

Leadership

Sandra Whitehouse, the wife of U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), is president of Ocean Wonks. She is a self-described “expert on ocean policy” and articulated her consulting area of expertise for another organization as “advancing ocean sustainability grounded in social justice” and a familiarity with environmental law and regulation. ⁷ With her background in marine science, Sandra has worked as a consultant to multiple environmentalist organizations, helping design policies that protect oceans, marine ecosystems, and coastal economies. ⁸

1. “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.
2. “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.
3. ^[1] “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.
4. Ocean Conservancy, Inc. EIN: 23-7245152. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. IRS Form 990 returns since 2001. Payments to five highest paid consultants. Accessed July 15, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237245152.
5. “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.
6. Ocean Conservancy, Inc. EIN: 23-7245152. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. IRS Form 990 returns since 2001. Payments to five highest paid consultants. Accessed July 15, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237245152.
7. “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.
8. “Sandra Whitehouse.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-whitehouse-54099217/.