Sandra Bessudo, supported by Rolex and Mission Blue, has devoted her life to protecting the marine biodiversity of Malpelo Island, a unique ecosystem off the coast of Colombia. Since first diving there in 1987, she has led efforts to safeguard the area, helping it become a Fauna and Flora Sanctuary and later a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, as the Malpelo Island Hope Spot Champion, Bessudo leads scientific expeditions to monitor the region's health and collect vital data. Thanks to her work, Colombia expanded the protected area to 47,000 km² in 2022, becoming the first country to meet the global goal of protecting 30% of land and ocean by 2030.

However, migratory species like sharks remain at risk outside protected zones. To address this, Bessudo is advocating for the creation of marine protected corridors linking Malpelo to key sites like Cocos and the Galápagos Islands—critical steps toward safeguarding migration routes and strengthening regional conservation.