The Australian Coastal Conservation Alliance is driven by a diverse and passionate team dedicated to protecting and restoring Australia’s unique coastal environments. From our committed senior leaders and board members to our staff, volunteers, and community partners, every individual plays a vital role in advancing our mission.
Together, we combine expertise in science, education, policy, and community engagement to create impactful programs that connect people to the coastlines they love. Our collective commitment fuels ACCA’s work—from grassroots cleanups to national advocacy—ensuring Australia’s shores thrive for generations to come.
Leadership at ACCA is built on a foundation of expertise, dedication, and forward-thinking. Our senior leadership team today continues to drive innovation and impact, building on the strong legacy established by those who led ACCA through its formative years and critical milestones.
|Michael Winton Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Michael is a marine ecologist with over two decades of experience working in coastal restoration, habitat mapping, and community engagement. Before joining ACCA, he led large-scale conservation programs across the Pacific and was a senior advisor for Australia's Coastal Resilience Network. As CEO, Michael is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, and growth of the organization.
“Every Australian has a connection to the sea—our job is to protect that connection and ensure future generations can experience it too.”
|Nina Royston Director of Education
A passionate environmental educator and curriculum designer, Nina has spent her career bringing ocean literacy to classrooms and communities. At ACCA, she leads the development of national learning programs, youth engagement strategies, and school partnerships. Nina is the architect of our highly successful Coastal Classrooms initiative.
“We don’t just teach about the ocean—we inspire lifelong guardians of it.”
| Claire Brady Director of Operations
Claire oversees ACCA’s internal systems, logistics, impact reporting, and grant compliance. With a background in nonprofit operations and environmental program evaluation, she ensures that ACCA’s projects are efficient, scalable, and mission-aligned. Claire also manages our national impact dashboard and volunteer performance metrics.
“Behind every successful program is a framework that makes it sustainable. That’s where operations meet impact.”
|Tom Delgado Director of Policy & Advocacy
Tom is an environmental policy strategist with experience in both state government and international environmental law. He has worked on major campaigns for marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, and coastal land-use planning. At ACCA, Tom leads our government relations, legislative campaigns, and policy research initiatives.
“Advocacy is about turning local knowledge and science into lasting legal protections for our coastal ecosystems.”
The Board of Directors of the Australian Coastal Conservation Alliance provides strategic oversight, ensures accountability, and upholds the values and mission of the organization. With backgrounds spanning marine science, environmental justice, finance, and law, our board members bring a wealth of expertise to ACCA’s governance and long-term direction.
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While our volunteers and field staff are the public face of ACCA, none of our impact would be possible without the dedicated work of our Administrative Team. This team forms the operational backbone of the organization—managing systems, supporting members, coordinating internal processes, and ensuring that every campaign, event, and project is delivered on time and on budget.
Our admin staff combine professionalism with passion, working behind the scenes to make coastal conservation efficient, scalable, and sustainable.
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These valued team members provide essential day-to-day support across programs, events, communications, and administration. Their commitment helps drive the success of ACCA's mission in every corner of the country.
