We are creating a future where youth leadership and ocean conservation thrive - together.

Kal is one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate champions and a sought-after speaker, including presenting at TEDx, the United Nations Climate Change COPs, and other major events. Creator of the acclaimed documentary RISING UP, Kal led a $100,000, 100kW solar panel project while in high school, inspiring over 20 schools to follow suit.

He co-founded Plastic Free Cronulla in 2019, spearheading a movement that helped secure a legislative ban on single-use plastics, and co-created the Blue Minds program to empower young Australians to tackle eco-anxiety and drive ocean leadership. Kal was named Sutherland Shire Young Australian of the Year 2020 and Environmental Citizen of the Year 2023. An accomplished aquatic athlete, Kal represented Australia at the Youth World Water Polo Championships and was recently elected as the youngest independent Councillor in the Sutherland Shire.

Cooper is a leading youth mental health speaker and author, inspiring over 40,000 students and 10,000 corporate participants to adopt healthier, more fulfilling lifestyles. He travelled the world as a professional surfer for most of his 20's but his passion for mental health advocacy was ignited by personal experiences. Through his popular podcast with over 850k downloads, Good Humans, Cooper has conducted extensive interviews with over 220 experts, translating their insights into practical strategies for daily mental health care.

His engaging approach empowers students and professionals alike, emphasising the distinction between mental health and illness.

Blue Minds Operations Manager & Academy Lead

Charlie is a marine policy scientist and community builder focused on mobilising people and networks to drive ocean and climate action.

She previously played a core role in building Co-Exist Australia, a nationwide, youth volunteer-led organisation, from inception, leading national community coordination, volunteer engagement, and the systems needed to support a distributed movement. For this work, she was nominated for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards (Queensland) in the University of Queensland Create Change Award category.

She holds a Master's in Marine and Antarctic Science from the University of Tasmania, with research focused on international marine policy and the relationship between Australia and Pacific Small Island Developing States, including translating her thesis into policy recommendations for the Australian government. With a background as a Divemaster, Coxswain, and Zoologist, Charlie brings frontline ocean experience to her work empowering the next generation of ocean and climate leaders through Blue Minds.

Impact Coordinator

Chelsea is an early-career ocean and climate professional passionate about bridging the gap between ocean science and effective governance. She holds dual degrees in Marine Biology and Political Science from the University of Queensland and is particularly interested in bringing ocean and coastal issues into broader climate policy and action.

Chelsea has been a Climate and Environment Fellow with Young Australians in International Affairs and has represented UNICEF Australia as a Youth Delegate at the Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue, contributing to discussions on ocean and climate issues across Australia and the Pacific. For the past two years, she has also been a COP Simulation Fellow with the British University in Egypt and UNDP Egypt, advocating internationally for greater inclusion of ocean and climate issues within UNFCCC frameworks.

Beyond policy and advocacy, Chelsea has a strong love for the outdoors and hands-on marine work. Her field experience spans Australia and internationally, including working with sea turtles and marine mammals in her home state of Queensland, manta rays in the Philippines, and marine consultancy in the Mediterranean.

Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Chelsea now works as an Impact Coordinator with Surfers for Climate, connecting people, communities and organisations across Australia and supporting meaningful, accessible engagement in climate action.

Blue Minds Impact Lead & Academy Mentor

Harrison grew up on the southeast coast of Victoria, where he developed a strong connection to the ocean through surfing, fishing, diving, and working within marine and coastal environments. This upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for the natural environment and a belief in the power of collective action, from small acts like picking up rubbish to greater efforts like managing invasive species.

Harrison's professional and academic background includes working as a Ranger and Forest Fire Fighter at Wilsons Promontory National Park, as well as studying Conservation and Land Management at the University of Tasmania. Through these experiences, he has learned the importance of fostering connections between people and the natural environment. Additionally, volunteering for his local boardriders club taught him the value of sharing this connection with the broader community.

Blue Minds Impact Lead 

Kai Lewins has worked as an educator and professional actor across film, tv and theatre. You may know him from the teen surfing series Surviving Summer on Netflix. His character Ari, gave him the opportunity to represent teen mental health issues on screen to an international audience; particularly as it relates to modern teenage life and youth surfing athletes.

Like many other Aussie kids growing up near the coast, his passion for the Ocean was sparked early. Sunday morning nippers taught him the necessary respect and skills around the ocean. In high school, discovering a love of surfing really ignited his passion for celebrating and preserving our waterways in all forms. Currently based in Wollongong, his love of the ocean continues to grow and sharing that love with students through Blue Minds remains one of his greatest passions.

Blue Minds Impact Lead 

Brett grew up in Mollymook on the NSW South Coast, where his connection to the ocean grew into a lifelong pursuit of big wave surfing that has taken him around the world and onto the covers of Australian and international surf magazines.

Alongside surfing, Brett is a primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Primary Education, having spent years working across mainstream and special education classrooms. He now works as a Disability Support Worker in Adventure Therapy and as a Breathwork Facilitator, running workshops that use the breath as a tool for emotional, mental and physical regulation. Bringing together his teaching experience, storytelling and love of the ocean, sharing these tools with students through Blue Minds is one of Brett's greatest passions.