Richard Gilmore - Executive Director 
Rich Gilmore’s first encounter with Earthwatch changed his life, for the better.
His Earthwatch adventure began when, in 2005, he was awarded an Earthwatch Global Fellowship while working with packaging company Amcor. Travelling to Gazi Bay, he worked as a volunteer studying mangroves on Earthwatch’s Tidal Forests of Kenya project. Inspired by his experience, Rich undertook a Masters of Environmental Management degree at University of New South Wales and established a community development fund to support his host village at Gazi. The following year, he volunteered with Earthwatch again, establishing a mangrove research project at Puttalum lagoon, Sri Lanka.
During his time at Amcor Recycling, Rich held a number of roles including national account management, new business acquistion, health & safety, community relations, operations and trade practices compliance. Prior to that, Rich worked in the financial markets as a senior derivatives trader with Ord Minnett.
In 2007, Rich made the move and joined the Earthwatch team, firstly as Operations and Programs Director and then the Executive Director in the same year. He continues to be inspired by the work of Earthwatch and strives to expand its mission across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Rich is a Member of the Institute of Company Directors, an advisor to the global Mangrove Action Project, a member of the National Product Stewardship Legislation Stakeholder Reference Group and a Leadership Victoria Williamson Fellow.
He lives in Melbourne and is married with two young daughters.