Millicent (Milly) Pitts is Executive Director of Ocean Exchange, an entity with the sole focus to advance the adoption of solutions for healthy oceans, resilient coastal systems, and a sustainable Blue Economy.  In its 15th year,  Ocean Exchange awards non-dilutive grants to startups.  Former finalists,  selected based on impact, innovation, and ability to execute, have raised $3.1 billion.   Prior to Ocean Exchange, Milly spent her career as a financial and business executive in the chemical/materials industry,  most recently with BASF.  She worked in Houston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Spain.

To advance the mission of Ocean Exchange she has significant roles at Ocean Visions on the leadership committee, at Creative Destruction Labs as a mentor, and as a judge with NREL, PNNL TEAMER, and other startup programs.   Ocean Exchange is part of the new NOAA funded Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program in the group The Continuum, one of four selected by NOAA in the Phase 2 award.

Milly holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.