The Core Team

Founder & Chief Scientist: Prof Dana Bergstrom

picture of Dana Bergstrom

Dana is an applied ecologist, author and science communicator, with a speciality in Antarctic and subantarctic ecosystems, conservation and the impact of climate change.    She is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Wollongong, and an Honorary Professor at the University of  Johannesburg. She is a past chair of the Australian National Committee for Antarctic Research (Australian Academy of Science),  past-Australian Delegate to the international Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research and a recipient of the Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science She is the book author of the musical, ANTARCTICA, BENEATH THE STORM.

Creative Director: Eamon D’Arcy

Eamon is an award winning event and theatre designer work includes the opening ceremonies of the Sydney and Vancouver Olympic Games, site designer for Opera Australia’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. He is currently working with the Powerhouse Museum of Sydney. He designed the travelling exhibition Futurescan for them. Past projects include set designer for the Invictus Games, Sydney October 2018 and interior designer Media Majlis Museum, at Northwestern University, Qatar. He holds a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Sydney.

Exhibitions Director: Cherie McNair

Cherie is an exhibition and visual arts executive with near 20 years’ experience  and 280+ exhibitions in the visual arts and museums sectors in Australia and internationally.  She is currently Projects Manager at the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. She has previously been Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Photography, Head of Exhibitions and Creative Services at the Queensland Museum Network, Head of Exhibitions and Design, National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, Project Manager,  National and International Partnerships Tate, London, Director of Exhibitions Museum of Architecture (London Festival 2012), Curator/Exhibitions Manager Anthony d’Offay, London, and Project Manager, Contemporary Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and Senior Exhibitions Coordinator National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Marketing and Sponsorship Director: Sara Bergström 

Sara is a creative and experienced marketing and sponsorship manager with experience in the arts, cinema and retail sector. She is currently Senior International Talent, PR and Partnership Manager for the global technology company, Sweat. She  has been the National Marketing Manger for Palace Cinemas, the Corporate Partnership Manager for Arts Centre Melbourne and National Marketing manger for Retail Zoo /Boost Juice.

Advising scientist: Dr Barbara Wienecke AAM

Dr Barbara Wienecke is a global expert on penguins. She is Senior Research Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division and has studied the foraging ecology of penguins and other seabirds for over 25 years, spending many seasons in Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic and South America. She is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Species Survival Commission’s Penguin Specialist Group andAgreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels working groups.  In 2013, Barbara was awarded the Australian Antarctic Medal for exemplary research into seabirds.

Mentor: Martin McCallum FRSA

Martin is a producer, theatre designer, and consultant.  Theatre Producer and business partner with Cameron Mackintosh 1981-2003. Queen’s Award for Exports 1995. Productions included: CATS, OLIVER!, MY FAIR LADY, SONG & DANCE, LES MISERABLES, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MISS SAIGON,CAROUSEL. Director, Donmar Warehouse Theatre 1992-2005; Chairman,1996-2004; Director, Sydney Theatre Company 2005-2014.. Producer 2005-2017: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, SPIDER-MAN, CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, DIRTY DANCING, HUGHIE.