Simone is the Director of People Strategy at Melbourne-based global BI software developer Yellowfin with 20+ years of cross-sector experience in a range of roles. She has significant experience in strategy and process development, change management, negotiation and advocacy. Simone has been a part time resident at Woolamai for almost 20 years and has developed strong connections to the community and environment of Phillip Island and the Bass Coast through Landcare. She is a founding member of the 3Creeks Landcare group and a lifetime member of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Simone holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts, University of Melbourne, 1990-1995 and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Catherine Basterfield is the Chief Executive Officer of the Phillip Island Nature Parks. Catherine commenced her career with the Nature Parks in 2009 holding executive roles in finance and operations before becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2017.

Catherine brings to the Nature Parks experience in risk management, strategy and financial management from her roles at KPMG Australia and Bupa UK. She enjoys combining these skills with her passion for the environment to achieve positive economic and conservation outcomes for Phillip Island.

Catherine holds Board positions at Destination Phillip Island and the Penguin Foundation. She is also a founding Committee Member of Not In My Workplace.

Philip was the Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria for 20 years, 1992-2012. During this role, Philip was integral in creating the Australian Garden at Cranbourne, which celebrates the diversity and beauty of Australia's plant life.

Philip has extensive experience in conservation as a researcher and science administrator, including for the New Zealand Wildlife Service and Department of Conservation. He was Director of BirdLife Australia from 1989 to 1992. He has gained significant knowledge of penguins and other seabirds throughout these roles and has authored or co-authored some 45 scientific publications.

In 2013 Philip was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to conservation and the environment. Philip joined the Penguin Foundation Board in 2013. He holds a BSc with First Class Honours, Australian National University, 1966-1969 and a PhD, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, 1970-1974.

Dr Peter Dann (AM) is the former Research Director at Phillip Island Nature Parks. He has published over 200 papers and book chapters and edited a book on penguin ecology and management.

His main research interests are population regulation, demography, climate change, foraging ecology, mitigation of anthropogenic threats to seabirds, the ecology of islands and the conservation of threatened species.

He has a life-long commitment to science-based wildlife management and threatened species conservation and is an honorary fellow of Birdlife Australia, a Board member of the World Seabird Union and co-chair of the scientific committee for the World Seabird Conference in Hobart in 2021.

Peter was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the King’s Birthday honours 2023 - For significant service to conservation, and the preservation of sea birds.

Peter has held visiting fellow positions at Otago and Cambridge Universities and the University of Cape Town and currently the University of Melbourne. His commitment to wildlife conservation has been enhanced by the privilege to co-supervise 15 PhDs, 7 MScs & 18 BSc/BEnvSc (Hons) at a variety of tertiary institutions in Australia and overseas.

Jane is a long-term Phillip Island community member and environmentalist. She has served as a board member of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and non-profit Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, and on the committees of local environmental groups.

Jane has completed governance training by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is co-owner of a land development business that incorporates sustainable development principles.

Jane holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Science), Charles Sturt University, 2001 and a Bachelor of Business (Communication), Queensland University of Technology, 1992.

Sue has been the CEO of The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation since July 2010. Prior to this Sue was Founding Chief Executive Officer of contemporary arts space and arts business hub, CarriageWorks, Sydney (2006-2010); Director of Performing Arts for the Sydney Opera House (2003-06); General Manager of the Queensland Theatre Company (1999-2003) and General Manager of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (1995-99). She is a director and Deputy Chair of Melbourne’s newest arts Festival, Rising and Chair of Auspicious Arts Projects.

Sue has held Board memberships across a variety of arts and government organisations. She is an alumna of the Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management course at Harvard Business School, the AICD Company Directors’ Course, the Williamson Community Leadership Program, Leadership Victoria (1995) and the Harvard Club Fellowship Program.