OIO “SET TO SCALE” AS NEW DIRECTORS AND INNOVATION PROGRAMS MANAGER JOIN

Members of the OIO Team and Board (L-R) Gabriela Scharf, Nick Chiarelli, Tim Silverwood, Elisa-Marie Dumas, Hannah Marshall, Peter Steinberg and Kirsten Pollard.

Press release for immediate distribution
Sydney, 8 September 2023

OIO “set to scale” as new Directors and Innovation Programs Manager join

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) has today announced the appointment of two new Directors and a new Innovation Programs Manager, joining the organisation as it prepares to scale its mission to accelerate ocean impact startups. 

Elisa-Marie Dumas, (ex Head of Global Programs and Partners at Investible; and ex Chief Impact Officer at Greenhouse) joins in the new role of Innovation Programs Manager, having been selected from a pool of over 500 applications. 

Kirsten Pollard (Executive Director, EIM Group) has been appointed as a non-executive Director (NED) alongside Hannah Marshall (Partner, Marque Lawyers). The two new NEDs join Professor Peter Steinberg (ex Managing Director, Sydney Institute of Marine Science; Emeritus Professor at UNSW) on the OIO Board alongside co-founders Nick Chiarelli and Tim Silverwood.

(L-R) Elisa-Marie Dumas, Hannah Marshall and Kirsten Pollard.

"The appointment of our new Directors and an Innovation Programs Manager comes as we are set to scale after 3.5 years of operations. We have big plans for the future and the experience, passion and ambition of these new people will be invaluable as OIO enters the next phase of our journey” said Nick Chiarelli, CEO and Co-founder of Ocean Impact Organisation.

“We set three major objectives for OIO from the outset and are well on our way to achieving the first: to accelerate 100 startups. Phase two is focussed on scaling the organisation and pursuing the next objectives: to facilitate $100m of funding into the sector, and; to establish Australia as a world leader in ocean health solutions” Nick continued.

“I’m very proud of the calibre of Directors who were attracted to the role, and thrilled to appoint Elisa-Marie Dumas in the key role of Innovation Programs Manager. E-M’s experience in the climate-tech innovation and investment sector is invaluable for us, there are enormous crossovers and similarities with our ambitions to grow the ocean-health-tech sector in Australia and the region.”

Newly appointed Innovation Programs Manager Elisa-Marie Dumas said, “I am excited to bring my experience in the innovation and commercialisation space for climate tech companies to OIO. Oceans have often been confined to a limited role within the broader landscape of climate technology, yet they are intricately woven into the fabric of all 17 SDGs. It is a privilege to be supporting visionary oceanpreneurs who will safeguard the ocean while simultaneously propelling social, economic, and environmental well-being on a global scale.”

Kirsten Pollard, Director of OIO said, “I see enormous potential for OIO to make a big impact in Australia and the region by catalysing the ocean health innovation ecosystem, and the capital required to have it reach scale. I am honoured to bring my experiences in executive leadership and passion for the oceans and climate to the organisation.”

Hannah Marshall, Director of OIO said, “I am constantly inspired by the dedication and commitment of conservation groups that challenge the systems and ‘norms’ that facilitate the crises in the climate, biodiversity and oceans. As a surfer and lover of the ocean and environment, I look forward to bringing my skills and creative insights as a legal professional to the OIO Board.”

The appointment of the two new Directors comes as Kirstin Hunter, who joined the Board in April 2021 retires as Chair and NED.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing Director and Chair Kirstin Hunter for her fantastic service and contribution to OIO over the past 2.5 years. Kirstin joined us at an early stage and provided invaluable support and guidance.” Nick concluded.

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For press enquiries please contact:

Tim Silverwood
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org

About OIO

Founded in February 2020 by visionaries Nick Chiarelli and Tim Silverwood, Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) has emerged as Australia's leading ocean impact ecosystem and startup accelerator, dedicated to enhancing the health of the world's oceans. Headquartered in Sydney, OIO curates comprehensive innovation programs designed to help people start, grow, and invest in businesses that positively impact ocean health.