The Ocean Collaborative team brings a rare blend of finance, real estate, and marine science expertise built from years of hands‑on experience. 

Together, our collective skills create a strong foundation for The Ocean Collaborative Foundation’s mission: to develop affordable housing that reliably funds marine research and conservation. Combining rigorous financial and risk management, proven real estate development and property management, and deep scientific knowledge of marine ecosystems, we are positioned to deliver sustainable housing solutions that generate ongoing support for meaningful ocean protection and research initiatives.

 

Kit Barnes spent over a decade on a busy Wall Street trading floor before returning to graduate school for marine biology, which led him to the Philippines to assist with a manta ray study, conduct coral reef research, and serve as one of the marine biologists on the Philippine Department of Tourism exploration dive team. 

 

Peter Bellard also began in finance before founding Middle Island Management in 2010 as a real estate management firm.  Under his leadership, Middle Island Management grew to oversee 33 rental properties and later expanded into real estate brokerage and development. 

 

David Hodgson brings four decades of professional experience from Deloitte, most recently serving as the global leader of risk services for the firm’s life sciences and healthcare sector. Appointed in 2009, David led this global business to $1 billion in revenue, with a double digit CAGR.   Since retiring from Deloitte, David has served as a strategic advisor in startups across a wide range of industries.

Please use the dropdown under  "our team"  for additional team member information.