The Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. that represents a membership base of approximately 100 academic research, industry, aquarium, and nonprofit organizations. As a consortium, COL unifies and amplifies the voice of the ocean science and stakeholder community and brings value and influence beyond that of a single organization. Because of this role representing the broader community, we are respected as an unbiased source and moderator of information about the ocean and ocean science and technology needs that support the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Our membership is primarily, but not exclusively, based in the United States, and our work in support of the ocean science community has international components that can contribute to the success of the Decade.