Sydney, November 24, 2020 – Climate-KIC Australia is pleased to announce that three new members are joining its Board of Directors, including a new Board Chairperson, Dominic McGann. With rich expertise across policy, research and private industry, the new Board members bring years of experience and leadership to help catalyse climate action in Australia through innovation.

Climate-KIC Australia is a knowledge and innovation community established and funded by a national collaboration of private and public sector organisations in 2017. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation that aims to link research, business, entrepreneurs, investors and government to drive transformational activities that unlock change at the speed and scale the climate challenge needs.

The new board members include:

• Dominic McGann, Partner, McCullough Robertson (Chairperson)
• Justine Jarvinen, CEO UNSW Energy Institute
• Stephanie Ziersch, Principal, Stephanie Ziersch Consulting

“We’re excited to welcome Justine, Stephanie and our new Chair, Dominic to the Climate-KIC Australia board,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Climate-KIC Australia. “With their leadership acumen and the breadth of their networks and expertise, Climate-KIC Australia’s new board members will further enable us to drive transformational activities that unlock change at the speed and scale the climate challenge needs.”

Dominic McGann is a commercial lawyer with over 35 years experience in native title, cultural heritage, government advisory and carbon farming. He has acted for various State Governments, Local Governments, infrastructure and resources companies, as well as sugar and timber entities and pastoral companies.

“I am extremely pleased to have been invited to join the Board of Climate-KIC Australia and to also assume the role of Chairperson,” said McGann. “If we are to address the impacts of climate change, we all need to do our part and when so doing need to explore the contribution that innovation is able to offer.  I look forward to exploring that contribution with my fellow Board members, the dedicated team of Climate-KIC Australia, our partners as well as our colleagues within the broader community.”

Justine Jarvinen has led the UNSW Energy Institute – one of the world’s leading research and technology hubs for energy innovation – for the past two years. Jarvinen has a track record of helping organisations and their boards to anticipate change, reposition strategy, conceive new business models, create partnerships and build capabilities. Her work has had a strong strategy and technology focus; she helped to lead the digitalisation of the electricity industry at AGL, and was instrumental in establishing the New Energy division, a startup business within a large enterprise.

Stephanie Ziersch has held numerous senior positions within the South Australian and Victorian governments, as well as internationally, connected to climate strategy, climate finance and climate innovation. A strategic and innovative leader, Ziersch excels at developing collaborative partnerships and building high-performing teams.

For more information visit: www.climate-kic.org.au