OCEAN INNOVATION GETS A BOOST AS LEADING BUSINESS AND SCIENCE CHIEF EXECUTIVES JOIN THE BOARD OF OIO
29th April 2021: Kirstin Hunter (co-founder, ex CEO of Future Super) and Professor Peter Steinberg (Founding Director and ex CEO of Sydney Institute of Marine Science - SIMS) have been announced as new Directors of Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO).
Kirstin Hunter, co-founder and ex-CEO of Future Super and Professor Peter Steinberg, founding Director and ex-CEO of Sydney Institute of Marine Science join the Board of OIO.
The announcement of the new Directors was made at a special Earth Day gathering of OIO supporters at Manly’s Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve attended by Federal Member for Warringah Zali Steggal and State Member for Manly James Griffin. Also in attendance was special guest Valerie Taylor, along with a host of OIO’s new and existing philanthropic donors.
Founders of OIO Nick Chiarelli and Tim Silverwood were ecstatic to announce the new Directors and to share an update on the organisation’s recent progress, including, the recruitment of a range of Founding Members who will support the organisation through the next phase of their journey.
OIO co-founder and CEO Nick Chiarelli addresses the guests with Cabbage Tree Bay in the background.
Co-founder and CEO of OIO Nick Chiarelli said,
“At OIO we’re not just building an organisation, we are building an entirely new innovation ecosystem to support ocean health. Australia can be a leader in developing solutions that improve ocean health globally, but to achieve our vision we need the strongest team possible so I’m absolutely delighted to announce the appointments of both Kirstin Hunter and Peter Steinberg. Kirstin is a key figure in the purpose business movement in Australia and has a wealth of hands on commercial and investment management experience, and Peter is one of Australia, and the world’s, most recognised ocean scientists with a wealth of experience in ocean policy and research commercialisation.”
Federal Independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall addresses the audience.
Co-founder of OIO Tim Silverwood said,
“It was a very special moment to introduce the new Directors to our community of supporters and Founding Members who are assisting us through this exciting stage of our journey. Bringing everyone together on Earth Day in such a spectacular location really cemented how supportive people are to help us achieve our goals and why our mission is so important.”
A short video from the Earth Day Gathering by Ollie Brewin.
Kirstin Hunter, who recently left her role as CEO of Future Super and will take on the role of Acting Chair of OIO said,
“I’m proud to be joining the board of OIO because it brings together two of my great loves: the ocean, and the belief that business can and should be a force for good. I’m excited to be able to bring my experience as an entrepreneur and strategist to help OIO accelerate the growth of the next generation of leaders who will prove that good business doesn’t have to come at the cost of people and the planet. We have limited time to change the fate of our oceans and our planet - Governments aren’t moving fast enough, so we must look to business to fill the leadership gap.”
Professor Peter Steinberg addresses the guests.
Professor Peter Steinberg who recently retired as founding director and CEO of Sydney Institute of Marine Science said,
"I've spent most of my 35 year career furthering ocean science and research to inform public policy and action for the ocean, and I have become increasingly convinced of the critical role of the commercial sector in fostering a sustainable ocean. I believe strongly in the mission of OIO to rapidly commercialise scalable solutions for the ocean and to encourage impact driven businesses to help progress public policy. I've watched and supported the OIO founders closely over the past two years as an advisor and am pleased to now support them as a Director."
The OIO Team were thrilled to meet esteemed ocean conservationist Valerie Taylor (centre), a guest of new Founding Member Hayley Baillie (second from right).
In addition to announcing the new Board Directors, OIO CEO Nick Chiarelli shared the news that Australian businessman and philanthropist David Prior would be supporting the organisation through contributions from the Prior Family Foundation (PFF). Support from the PFF will help amplify the organisation’s mission and inspire action to improve ocean health.
David Prior said,
“As someone who derives great joy from the ocean, I, like many, am deeply concerned about current ocean health. The Prior Family Foundation is honoured to support an organisation like OIO who are at the forefront of encouraging innovations and ‘good business’ to improve the long term health of the ocean.”
Businessman David Prior of Bladnoch Distillery and the Prior Family Foundation.
The Earth Day gathering included a snorkel tour of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve where guests were guided by local marine biologist and photographer Prof. William Gladstone and the team from Pittwater Eco Adventures. Those guests who participated were treated to pristine autumn conditions and a glimpse at the pristine underwater world that scientists, conservationists and locals alike have fought tirelessly to preserve. Whilst the local ‘celebrities’ such as Giant Cuttlefish, Grey Nurse Sharks, Dusky Whalers and Port Jackson Sharks were nowhere to be seen, guests did get to experience the thriving forests of Golden Kelp, Crayweed, schools of Luderick, the occasional squid and a well camouflaged octopus.
Guests were invited on a guided snorkeling tour of Cabbage Tree Bay with local marine biologist Professor William Gladstone.
OIO are currently securing commercial partnerships to support the delivery of their flagship accelerator program and additional innovation projects for the next two years including the annual Ocean Impact Pitchfest. Last year’s inaugural The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020 attracted 192 applications from startups in 38 countries working to improve ocean health.
Joanne Howarth, CEO (right) and Lars Ljung, Sustainability Manager of Pitchfest 2020 Winners Planet Protector Packaging.
The Winner of Pitchfest 2020 was Planet Protector Packaging, a Sydney-based startup with a mission to rid the world of expanded polystyrene packaging. Tasmanian renewable energy company Wave Swell Energy were Runners Up followed by UK startup ARC Marine who use carbon-neutral and recycled concrete ‘reef cubes’ to create artificial reefs. Nine other ocean impact startups were shortlisted in the Finalists, the full list can be viewed here.
Professor William Gladstone addresses the audience before the guided snorkel tour with Katie and Bergia from Pittwater Eco Adventures.
New OIO Founding Members Amanda Maple-Brown and James Kirby alongside OIO co-founder Tim Silverwood.
New OIO Founding Members Jenny Lim and Dorset Sutton alongside OIO’s co-founders.
Danielle Helms and Philip (Pip) Rossi of the Rossi Foundation, Founding Members of OIO alongside the founders.
A snorkel in Cabbage Tree Bay was a fantastic way to start Earth Day.
A big thank you to Murray Fraser from @sproutdaily for the photos above, The Boathouse Shelly Beach for the venue, Ollie Brewin for videography, the OIO Team for their wonderful support and OIO’s Founding Members and Supporters for attending.