Samantha O'Connor welcomed to the Foundation Board

At our most recent Board meeting, Samantha O’Connor was elected as a Director of the Antarctic Science Foundation by unanimous decision. Foundation Chair Tony Haymet was delighted to welcome Samantha to the Board, noting that “Samantha’s appointment to the Board of ASF enriches the expertise that we will bring to bear in guiding and steering our Foundation and ensuring that we maximise the benefits we deliver to our stakeholders. I welcome Samantha and look forward to the contribution that she will make to ASF’s success.”

Samantha is an experienced senior executive with a solid commercial, legal, and governance skill set, having worked in both commercial and not-for-profit organisations for over 20 years. She commenced her career in funds management & investment banking at Bankers Trust and Citibank.

Samantha has more recently worked at a smaller boutique investment manager, Private Portfolio Managers, as General Counsel and COO. She has held COO and CEO roles at the not-for-profit organisations of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and the Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF).

Samantha is passionate about environmental research, sustainability and social responsibility. She holds a current practising certificate and GIACert and GAICD qualifications. “I was delighted to be invited to join the ASF Board, which supports scientific research and researchers in Antarctica. There is much to be done, with many fascinating projects underway and in the pipeline. I am looking forward to supporting the ASF to grow and achieve its potential as a preeminent foundation supporting important and impactful scientific research of Antarctica itself, its role in our global climate and oceanography, and, of course, deepening our understanding of the global impacts of climate change.”

Foundation CEO Andrew Kelly said, “Samantha’s expertise in corporate and for-impact sectors and her focus on climate and environmental issues are a coup for the ASF. Samantha will make a tremendous contribution to a Board keenly focused on pushing the Foundation forward and facilitating impact in Antarctic environmental research. I welcome Samantha to the Foundation and look forward to working with her in her new role.”