Turning the tide on coral reef decline
The Great Barrier Reef is fighting for life and we are fighting for her future. This summer a marine heatwave is causing mass coral bleaching. Rising ocean temperatures are threatening the very survival of coral reefs.
Help build resilience into our most precious marine ecosystems.
Who we are
Great Barrier Reef Foundation USA is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of coral reefs. We support organizations like the Great Barrier Reef Foundation in Australia, which has a track record in bringing the world’s brightest minds and advanced technologies together to solve the challenges facing coral reefs.
#Featured projects
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is delivering the world’s largest coral reefs program including 400+ projects with over 500 partners globally. Here are just a few of them.
Reef Restoration and Adaptation
Deliver and supporting reef restoration and adaptation science for the Great Barrier Reef.
Resilient Reefs
Partnering with Reef communities to respond to climate change and local threats.
First Nations
If there was ever a time for us to come together that time is now.
Coral IVF
Pioneering science delivers new life to the Reef.
#Board and officers
Cindy Hook - Chair
Cindy is the Chief Executive of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee. Prior to that she had a long career with Deloitte, having served as Chief Executive for Asia Pacific from 2018 to 2022 and as a member of the Deloitte Global Executive Committee. Cindy was Chief Executive for Deloitte Australia from 2015 to 2018 and led Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice in Australia from 2009 to 2014.
William S. McKeever - Treasurer
William McKeever is a marine conservationist passionate about protecting oceans and sea life through education and raising awareness. A writer and documentary filmmaker, his films include Emperors of the Deep highlighting the importance of sharks in maintaining marine ecosystems, Plastic and the Oceans and The Biggest Little Fish You’ve Never Seen. William is a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA in Finance and is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Monterey Bio.
Ben Phillips - Executive Director
Ben Phillips has more than 25 years of fundraising and management experience. Recognized as a leader in global fundraising techniques, Ben has shared his expertise with not-for-profit organizations around the world. Ben has worked across all not-for-profit sectors and is a contributing author to the fundraising text “International Fundraising for Non-Profits”.
Damian Eales
Damian has a diverse executive resume. He has held senior leadership positions across retail, banking and media industries. Notably, Damian was CMO of a top Australian department store retailer - David Jones, one of Australia’s largest banks - Westpac, and Australia’s largest media media company - News Corp. Although he has spent many years in marketing roles, his experience extends to leading financial services, sales and operations. He was most recently Chief Operating of News Corp Australia. Today, Damian is global head of transformation of News Corp and is based in New York. Damian served as President of the International News Media Association between 2019 and 2022. He also served on the Board of the Sony Foundation, based in Australia.
Jeff Bleich
Jeff Bleich is the Chief Legal Office at Cruise, leading the legal and compliance teams. He previously served as a special master in the U.S. District Court, and as a partner at both Munger, Tolles & Olson and Dentons. He has over three decades experience in resolving complex domestic and international disputes. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, and as Special Counsel to President Obama in the White House. For his federal service, Ambassador Bleich received numerous awards, including the Sue Cobb Medal, the State Department's highest award for a non-career ambassador.
Jonathan Breene
Jonathan J. Breene is a renowned hotel developer and longtime partner of Mr. Zecha (Founder of Amanresorts) in global hotel ventures. In 2000, he founded Setai Hotels & Resorts, a company specializing in the creation, development and management of luxury five-star boutique hotels and residential properties in select markets around the world. Throughout this career, Mr. Breene has been involved in the planning or development of numerous luxury hotel and residential projects, including The Vendome super luxury condominium in Dallas, Amanyara in Turks & Caicos, Norman’s Cay private island in the Bahamas, the private island of Java in Dubai’s World Islands, and 400 Fifth Avenue, a 60-story hotel and residential tower in New York. He previously served as an executive at Millennium Partners, where he developed luxury condominium and mixed-use projects such as The Four Seasons, Miami. Mr. Breene holds master’s degrees in real estate and development from Columbia University and Queensland University of Technology, Australia, has served on the Board of Trustees of International House in New York, and has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Bravery Medal.
#News
Climate Change Crisis
The latest IPCC report paints a bleak picture of the Great Barrier Reef’s future, but we’re working tirelessly to fast-track innovative solutions to help corals adapt in a changing climate.
What is coral adaptation?
How we help corals adapt to their changing environment and why harnessing this power is critical to protecting the Reef.
The road to reef recovery
Coral cover's up, but critical risks remain in Reef recovery
Managing a coral-eating predator
Breakthrough early detection and response capabilities bolster fight against coral-eating starfish.
