Our Team

NIGEL MURPHY

CHAIR

Nigel is Managing Director of Earth Systems and has more than 35 years’ experience as an environmental and earth scientist. In addition to specialist technical skills in environmental science, he has extensive experience in interdisciplinary environmental assessments and project management for private sector, government, aid and development projects. Nigel is a leading practitioner in environmental and social impact assessment having led and participated in numerous projects in Australia, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. Nigel's cleantech experience covers product development, IP protection, capital raising, commercialisation and market development. He has degrees in environmental and earth sciences and experience in working in Australia, China, S.E. Asia, Africa and the Pacific. He has provided technical advice to companies, government, financial institutions and the aid sector in environmental science, cleantech and environmental management. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand, and was the foundation Chair of the Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme for Australia and New Zealand (CEnvP).

IAN WONG

VICE CHAIR

Ian has a deep passion for the application of circular economy principles to work towards a safe and just world where everyone can thrive within the means of our planet. As a former Partner in IBM’s consulting business, at various times, he has led IBM’s digital strategy, experience and design practice, and retail industry practice in Australia and New Zealand. Ian also works on assisting organisations of any size, including startups, take advantage of digital capabilities to develop customer and stakeholder experiences to grow whilst staying true to their core purpose and values. Ian was a founding member and President of Circular Economy Victoria from 2019 until 2024.

RICHARD JAGGER

TREASURER

Richard is currently a Non-Executive Director of Agriculture Victoria Services, which maximises the commercial impact of Agriculture Victoria research & innovation so that Victorian agriculture and related industries are strong, innovative & sustainable to contribute to better economic and societal outcomes. He is Chair of SmartSense Agtech, a company developing comprehensive web-based solutions for pasture and herd management systems with sophisticated future pasture growth prediction capabilities. Richard was until recently the CEO and Managing Director of Bio-Gene Technology, an ASX listed ag-tech company focused on developing a product platform based on a new class of naturally derived insecticides. Richard has extensive experience in developing and commercialising new technologies in the agriculture sector. Richard was previously Managing Director of Sinochem Australia, a division of the largest agrochemical company in China. Prior to Sinochem, he worked with Monsanto Company for over 20 years in Australia and abroad. Richard has written two novels based on new technology adoption, holds degrees in science and international business, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

PETER HANSFORD

BOARD MEMBER

Peter has worked 20 years in food and agribusiness and 12 in cleantech and renewable industry in both the private and public sectors. During this period he has held roles as a journalist, teacher, trade commissioner, industry advocate and cleantech / renewable energy manager in Victoria, Asia, Canberra and Broome. Peter has qualifications in Economics, International Development, Teaching and Sustainability. Peter currently works as Manager Business Development in New Energy Technologies in the Victorian Government where I have been responsible for investment attraction, project facilitation, industry capability building and assisting industry transition.

AZAIN RABAN

BOARD MEMBER

Azain brings a wealth of knowledge from the carbon and environment sector, having worked in the space for more than 20 years. Azain has been an advisor and project lead for organisations like World Vision, Internation Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN),  Carbon & Clean Energy Solutions. He is currently the Principal Carbon Specialist at Earth Systems, and is spearheading environmental renewal and repair projects in Australia, Asia and Africa. 

LUCAN CREAMER

BOARD MEMBER

Lucan is the Chair of the VCA Showcase Committee.  He is a brand, business development and strategic partnerships specialist who has worked extensively in the major events industry. More recently Lucan has consulted in the environmental and social impact spaces with a focus on the Circular Economy, working with start-ups, scale-ups, government and corporates. Through his Circular Economy wine start-up, Lucan has practical experience in applying circular economy principles and both the opportunities and challenges they present.

DAMIEN CONNELL

BOARD MEMBER

Damien has over 18 years experience in the environmental industry and specialises in driving circular economy and waste management programs and outcomes for communities, clients and stakeholders. A strategic leader, Damien oversees strategic waste management development and the co-design and delivery of Victoria’s first-ever Regional Circular Economy Plans (RCEPS). These underpinned the circular aspirations and ambitions of the Victorian regional areas and helped shape Victorian community circular aspirations and goals. Damien is passionate about clean technology, circularity and sustainability and partnering with organisations to improve sustainability performance and circularity, all while reducing wasted resources, enabling economic growth, supplier diversity, new technology and product innovation.

BRIAN BOROWSKY

BOARD MEMBER

After over 20 years in building technology and technology-enabled businesses, helping businesses achieve growth, and building leadership capabilities, Brian brings immense experience to coaching in start-up, scaleup, and enterprise environments to coaching emerging entrepreneurs in the space. Fifteen-plus years in consulting taught him to help leaders to quickly lock onto the key issues, the key next steps, and the key value drivers, and to create a path forward. Working across a diverse range of industries, including wind power, electricity generation, carbon fibre, and fibreglass, leads him to be comfortable discussing a wide range of cleantech, climatetech and healthtech sectors. With current or recent projects in textile recycling, carbon capture SaaS provision, renewable fibre creation, excess textile marketplaces, and more, Brian brings the ability to identify and execute growth opportunities. In his current role as COO and CTO of Hey Lemonade, he drives the intersection of strategy and action for one of Australia's most exciting healthtech startups. Previously, his work running the healthtech start-up My Occ Health Record start-up brought the platform to market, got customers signed onto the platform, scaled the team, established significant recurring revenue, and even won a major multi-year federal government contract. Brian also invests significant time and effort into supporting the Australian start-up ecosystem, particularly through mentoring at Victorian Cleantech Cluster’s Power On incubator, RMIT’s Activator LaunchHub, LaunchVic’s CIVVIC Labs, Climate Salad’s Global Growth Program, and What The Health.

KALINDI OCHOA

BOARD MEMBER

Kalindi Ochoa leads business development and marketing at Earth Systems, where her commitment to environmental preservation and clean tech innovation shapes her approach to redefining business standards. Her foundation in Leadership and Business Management powers her drive to develop solutions that integrate sustainable practices with business success. Kalindi’s extensive expertise in marketing, content creation, and website and project management is pivotal in transforming innovative ideas into actionable projects that align economic growth with environmental stewardship. She champions clean technology and innovation, viewing each advancement as an investment into resource development. Focusing on leveraging each business decision to foster positive change in our economy. Passionate about wildlife conservation and land regeneration, Kalindi’s rich international experience has deepened her understanding and fortified her commitment to driving lasting impact. Her work seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology with traditional insights, rejuvenating natural resources and demonstrating the transformative power of integrated solutions. Based in Melbourne, Kalindi is a dedicated advocate of clean technology, inspiring change and leading a future where businesses act as catalysts for positive transformation.

DAN LANCEFIELD

CLUSTER MANAGER

Daniel worked in community organisations and not-for-profits for more than 15 years in sport and the arts before joining the Victorian Cleantech Cluster as Manager in 2022. Since then, Daniel has developed a deep passion and appreciation for all things clean and green, and has an extensive network of people across clean technology, climate technology, circular economy and sustainability. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys nature photography and travelling to remote destinations.