Holthus is a seasoned sustainability strategist who for more than two decades has bridged private-sector innovation, frontline communities, and multilateral institutions to advance environmental stewardship—from the depths of our oceans to the icy reaches of the Arctic and the vantage point of space. He has designed and implemented practical solutions for marine and coastal conservation in over 30 countries, collaborating with industry associations, oil and gas companies, fisheries cooperatives, and small-scale fishers alike. As a trusted consultant to UN agencies, international NGOs, foundations, and leading corporations, Holthus has shaped standards and certification schemes in aquaculture and global seafood trade, led large-scale resource-management programs, and helped embed sustainability into corporate and sectoral decision-making.

In formal roles he served as Deputy Director of IUCN’s Global Marine and Coastal Programme; founding Executive Director of the Marine Aquarium Council, where he united fishers, industry, conservationists, and regulators around best-practice standards; Senior Officer for the Nature Conservancy’s Asia-Pacific Program; and Senior Program Officer at UNEP’s South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. He holds advanced degrees in coastal and marine resource management and international business from the University of California and the University of Hawaiʻi.

Beyond earth’s waters, Holthus has forged pioneering links between ocean science and space-based observation. He co-hosts the Sustainable Ocean Summit’s “Space & Ocean” sessions, authored ESA’s landmark report on Earth observation applications for the blue economy, and recently spoke on these topics at the World Geospatial Forum. He also champions private-sector leadership in Arctic development—having convened the multi-sectoral Arctic Business Leadership Council in Reykjavík in 2012, advised the Arctic Circle Assembly since its inception, and catalyzed the Arctic Council’s evolution toward a dedicated Economic Council. Today, Holthus continues to mobilize industry, government, and scientific partners globally to harness technology, market forces, and community wisdom for a resilient, equitable future across ocean, polar, and orbital frontiers.

As a key member of The North World Approach, Holthus brings decades of expertise in marine and coastal governance, environmental management, and multilateral collaboration. His proven ability to unite industry, small‐scale fishers, UN agencies, and conservation organizations around practical standards and certification schemes will be critical in ensuring that the Council’s initiatives drive sustainable ocean development, foster cutting‐edge scientific partnerships, and secure resilient, equitable blue economies worldwide.