Chief Executive Officer

Surfers for Climate CEO Josh Kirkman hails from the quiet coastline of Forster Tuncurry, Worimi Country. He has a history in climate communications in Nordic Cleantech as well as a sporting history in competitive bodyboarding. As a bodyboarder, Josh has earned multiple Australian Championships, and these days competes in bodysurfing to get his thrills.

He is passionate about affecting positive change in the diverse and growing surf community, focussed on leading this community towards a more inclusive culture and greater political agency for the health of our coastlines.

Chief Operating Officer

A founding member of Surfers for Climate, Caitlin (she/her) brings over 13 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, spanning both professional and volunteer roles. With a Bachelor of Commerce and an early career in management accounting, she spent 11 years honing her expertise in finance before transitioning into e-commerce, where she specialised in systems and operations.

Caitlin blends her background in business, accounting, and digital operations with a deep passion for environmental advocacy, driving positive change across the surf and sustainability industries.

Grounded in her love for the ocean and surfing, her leadership is guided by a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impact.

Campaigns & Programs Director

Ry Atkinson (he/him) is a seasoned human rights and climate justice advocate based in Sydney Australia, with a background in international law, policy, and strategic campaigning.

Previously working with international NGOs such as Amnesty International, Ry’s work has focused on tackling issues arising from international conflicts; along with advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty and the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. 

With a strong belief in intersectional justice, Ry is passionate about building a future where climate action and human rights go hand in hand. His work is grounded in the belief that positive, community-driven change is both possible and urgently needed to protect people and the planet.

Strategic Communications & Partnerships Manager

Rick Bannister (he/him) is a communications specialist with 25 years’ experience turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories, often told the way you would to a mate in the surf.

From co-founding award-winning magazines to leading campaigns for Sea Forest, Zero Co, and Stone & Wood, Rick blends creativity with strategy to build narratives that connect with all sorts of people.

Having started his career in surf mags, he now works exclusively for organisations doing good in the world, which makes his role at SFC a delightful smooshing of worlds, old and new.

Blue Minds Program Manager

Kal (he/him) is one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate champions. Creator of the documentary Rising Up, whilst in high-school he arranged a $100,000, 100kW solar panel system, then supported over 20 schools to follow suit. In 2019 he co-founded Plastic Free Cronulla, building a community movement that has helped achieve a legislative ban of single-use plastics.

Kal was awarded Sutherland Shire Young Australian of the Year 2020 and Environmental Citizen of the Year 2023, he was part of the Youth Advisory Council for World Ocean Day and has been a speaker and delegate at the United Nations Climate Change COP the past 2 years. A passionate aquatic athlete, Kal has represented Australia in water polo at the Youth World Championships and co-founded the Youth Ocean Carnival, delivering major youth events to promote ocean action.

Strategic Programs & Impact Manager

Nadera (she/her) leads program design, impact measurement and strategic reporting, making sure our work is evidence-based, measurable and aligned with the policy and funding landscape we're operating in.

Her background sits at the intersection of climate change, environmental health and government. She spent four years at Resilient Sydney supporting climate resilience strategy across 33 Greater Sydney councils, with earlier roles at the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and NSW Health. Across all of it, she's built a career turning complex data, policy and stakeholder input into the kind of clear reporting and insight that helps people make better decisions.

Now based on Kaurna Country in South Australia, Nadera is happiest when the ocean is involved, whether that's in the work or after it.

Chairperson

Scott (he/him) refills his cup in the ocean and finds his purpose helping not for profit dollars to go further, building high performing organisations in the for-purpose sector. An experienced chartered accountant driven by an ancestral mandate to leave things better than we found them, Scott has spent the majority of his career in Executive roles at for-purpose, non-government organisations delivering positive social change programs across the world, from West Africa to the Asia Pacific. Scott’s extensive sector experience is complemented by an unbridled, grom like, passion for surfing.

Co-founder

Co-founder of Surfers for Climate Belinda Baggs (she/her) is best known for her graceful longboard style. A lifelong waterwoman, surfing and bodysurfing have connected her to the sea with a strong passion for environmental protection and preservation of all living things. In her role as Global Sports Activist with Patagonia, Belinda was a key campaigner in the successful Fight for the Bight campaign. Belinda is also an Ambassador for Take 3 for the Sea. As a mother, she is committed to safeguarding the future for the next generation.

Co-founder

Co-founder of Surfers for Climate Johnny Abegg (he/him) is a former aspiring pro surfer, residing in Byron Bay, Australia on Arakwal Land, with his wife Elizabeth and three kids. With an extensive career as a freelance filmmaker/ videographer/ photographer for the past 15 years, 2019 saw a shift in direction for Abegg, after a climate change summit on Heron Island. The event highlighted the impacts climate change is having on the Great Barrier Reef, and the world. This was the catalyst for “Surfers for Climate”.

Board Member

Courtney Miller (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Next Generation, a recently created family foundation for Nick and Gabi Molnar with a focus on Climate Change. Courtney brings a variety of policy experience from advising Federal Ministers in Canberra to the creative worlds of art and fashion. She has a Masters of Public Policy from Berkeley and is also on the board of the Bangalow Film Festival in the Northern Rivers. Besides this, Courtney can be found in her home town on the most easterly tip of Australia either in the water or with her hands in her garden.

Board Member

As Ecosystem Director for Australia’s leading climate tech network, Climate Salad, Charlotte (she/her) helps climate tech founders globally scale through community, connection and collaboration. She also Fishburners Expert in Residence for Sustainability and recently developed the Founder Institute’s first global Sustainability Accelerator program. When not surfing with her little groms Charlotte volunteers her time mentoring for the NFP climate-focused accelerator Subak.

Board Member

David Prior is an Australian entrepreneur and the owner & Chairman of Bladnoch Distillery, a 208-year-old Scotch Whisky distillery located in the Scottish Lowlands.

Before acquiring Bladnoch he founded five:am, a market redefining organic yoghurt brand which sold in 2014 to UK-based consumer products company PZ Cussons.

David is the founder of the Prior Family Foundation which supports projects that work to preserve culture, wildlife, the environment and assist in disaster relief.

Board Member

Catherine Kerr (she/her) is a coastal management specialist working across the fields of coastal planning, geographic education, and science communication. She holds a Marine Science degree, a Master’s in Coastal Engineering and Management, and a Diploma of Education in Geography.

Catherine has worked for the Queensland and NSW Governments in coastal engineering and science for over 10 years. A board member of National Surfing Reserves Australia, she is deeply passionate about protecting coastal environments, particularly by fostering understanding of the social, cultural, and spiritual values that connect people to the coast.

Board Member

Jack (he/him) co-founded Belingbak to create a real estate firm, dedicated to delivering enduring value for its investors, partners and customers. Focused on originating value through opportunistic real estate investing, Belingbak has assembled its collective expertise to start building a locally managed business to seek out opportunities, address complex challenges and develop creative, thoughtful solutions. Prior to joining Belingbak, Jack has held various senior positions across ASX listed companies in Funds Management, Development and Investment Management.