Axelle, affectionately known as “The Girl with the Turtles” amongst her peers, is a marine biologist and a staunch ocean lover from Belgium.
Growing up in the small town of Malle, just outside Antwerp, Axelle always felt most at home in the water, and not much has changed since.
This early love for the ocean led Axelle to study biology at the University of Antwerp, followed by a Master’s in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management through an inter-university programme. Her thesis explored the potential of probiotic treatments to support the growth, reproduction, and heat resilience of golden kelp (Laminaria ochroleuca).
In 2018, Axelle founded Turtlee Green, which started as a plastic-free e-commerce initiative. From day one, she donated part of the profits to Olive Ridley Project (ORP), an organisation she has admired and supported for years.
A few years later, she opened DEFO, a café and bulk store where she also sold the products from her online shop. While balancing studies and long hours in the lab, her father stepped in to help run the store, providing Axelle with essential support. Eventually, Axelle decided to close the café and online shop to fully dedicate herself to conservation, transitioning Turtlee Green into a non-profit.
Today, Turtlee Green focuses on raising awareness about ocean threats and encouraging people to take action. From running educational workshops to supporting grassroots conservation efforts, Axelle is committed to making a difference where it matters most.
Axelle’s favourite animals are ‘sea turtles, without a doubt’ she says. Their grace, strength, and ancient wisdom inspire everything she does.
In 2025, Axelle joined ORP as our very first Sea Turtle Ambassador, a role that brings her passion full circle. Through this collaboration, she hopes to reach more people, share stories from the ocean, and inspire others to protect sea turtles and the ecosystems they call home.
Because, as Axelle firmly believes, together, we really can make a difference.
