Susan Rockefeller
Founder of Protect What is Precious®
Honorary Chair of The Sapphire Project™
A longstanding philanthropist, Susan and her husband David Rockefeller Jr. both sit on the board of Oceana, the world’s largest international advocacy organisation focused solely on ocean conservation. Oceana’s offices around the world work together to win strategic, directed campaigns that achieve measurable outcomes that will help make our oceans more bio-diverse and abundant.
Susan also sits on the board of Stone Barns Centre for Food and Agriculture, We are Family Foundation, Land & Garden Preserve, a mission board member of Imagine, and a member of the USA Council of Foreign Relations.
In her film work, Susan is a Principal of Louverture Films, a member of the Film Committee for the Museum of Modern Art and member of the Academy Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her original films have aired on HBO, PBS, and the Discovery Channel.
Susan has given key-note presentations and participated in panel discussions at philanthropic and brand-sponsored events worldwide. Her articles have been featured in many international publications such as Forbes, VOGUE, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, and more.
Sapphire First Nations Leader: Phil Rist
The Sapphire Committee gives their deepest thanks and respect to Phil Rist for his knowledge, leadership and contribution to ocean conservation.
Phil is a Traditional Owner from the Nywaigi people; CEO Girringun Aboriginal Corporation; Director, WWF Australia; Director, Wet Tropics Management Authority; Director, North Queensland Tropics Board; Former Chair, Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Sapphire Committee
Hayley Baillie
Sapphire Co-Chair
Ryan Gollan
Sapphire Co-Chair
Ian Thorpe AM
Sapphire Committee
Clare Herschell
Sapphire Committee
Susan Wynne
Sapphire Committee
Brioney Prier
Sapphire Committee
Kate Champion
Sapphire Committee
Bianca Rinehart
Sapphire Committee
Doris Ma
Sapphire Committee
Luke Hepworth
Sapphire Committee
Ellie Aitken
Sapphire Committee
Great Barrier Reef Foundation
Anna Marsden
Managing Director
Theresa Fyffe
Executive Director of Impact
Sapphire Team
Naomi Parry
PR & Communications
Alison McEvoy
Relationship Manager
Cherry Hu
Guest Relations
Shasha Miao
Guest Relations
Be Part of the Solution
Around the world, remarkable ocean conservation organisations are driving impact with limited resources, unwavering passion, and bold innovation. At Sapphire, we are proud to stand alongside them - amplifying their efforts through fundraising, storytelling, and strategic partnerships.
But the work doesn’t stop there.
Each of us has a role to play. Whether through everyday choices or bold leadership, we can help regenerate our oceans and secure a healthier future for the planet.
Talk to your family, friends, and colleagues. Use your talents, your platform, and your voice. Support businesses that prioritise sustainability - and challenge others to do better.
Every action matters. Every innovation, every conversation, every conscious step forward shifts us closer to a thriving blue planet.
So ask yourself:
What can I do today to be part of the solution?
To learn more or explore how you can get involved, please contact our Co-Chairs, Hayley Baillie or Ryan Gollan, and join our mission to Protect What is Precious.
“Young people - they care. They know that this is the world that they're going to grow up in, that they're going to spend the rest of their lives in. But, I think it's more idealistic than that. They actually believe that humanity, human species, has no right to destroy and despoil regardless.”
Sir David Attenborough