Natalie Kyriacou OAM: Creating a World of Positive Change
Natalie Kyriacou OAM is a shining example of leadership in environmental conservation, education, and social activism. Her revolutionary initiatives, including founding My Green World, have redefined how we approach wildlife conservation and youth education. With accolades like the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and inclusion in Forbes’ “30 Under 30”, Natalie is an extraordinary advocate for sustainability and equity. This article dives deep into her inspiring career, her innovative work with My Green World, and her broader contributions to making a global impact.
The Journey and Vision of Natalie Kyriacou OAM
The foundation of Natalie Kyriacou’s mission lies in her profound curiosity about the natural world and a steadfast desire to bring positive change. Through personal experiences, including working in Borneo with orangutan conservation and witnessing the devastating effects of deforestation, Natalie’s connection to environmental advocacy became deeply personal. She understands that environmental crises are inherently tied to social inequities and strives to create solutions that bridge these challenges.
Natalie’s vision revolves around empowering individuals, especially young people, with education and tools to contribute to the betterment of the planet. Her initiatives embody this goal, blending grassroots activism with institutional and corporate efforts to maximise global impact.
Education as a Foundation
Natalie Kyriacou’s academic credentials underpin her multidisciplinary approach to tackling global challenges. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Journalism from Griffith University, and a scholarship from Delhi University where she focused on Security, Gender, and Development in South Asia. These educational experiences have shaped her understanding of the intersection between sustainability and social equity.
Her ability to apply this foundation to real-world challenges is evident in her diverse career portfolio and her emphasis on enhancing inclusivity, equity, and environmental stewardship.
Career and Leadership
Holding Key Leadership Roles
Natalie’s career spans over a decade, with leadership roles that exemplify her expertise and dedication. She currently serves as a Board Director for the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. This institution plays a critical role in preserving Australia’s natural heritage. Natalie Kyriacou OAM is also a Board Director for CARE Australia, where she focuses on creating equitable outcomes.
She previously served as the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Business Development Lead at PwC Australia. Here, Natalie co-authored the highly influential ‘Nature Positive’ biodiversity report, which was instrumental in shaping Australia’s Nature Repair Bill. Presently, she continues her impactful work as the Climate and Nature Director at Pollination, focusing on the critical intersection of climate and biodiversity challenges.
Breaking Boundaries
Natalie’s leadership extends globally. She is a delegate for the W20, the dedicated G20 engagement group advocating gender equity, and serves on the XPRIZE Brain Trust for Biodiversity and Conservation. Recognised by UNESCO as a Green Citizens Pathfinder, Natalie amplifies citizen-led environmental projects across the world.
Founding My Green World
Natalie’s entrepreneurial spirit came to life with the creation of My Green World, a social enterprise designed to transform how young people engage with wildlife conservation and environmental sciences. By developing engaging educational tools, Natalie has broadened access to learning in an inclusive way.
The “World of the Wild” App
One of My Green World’s standout initiatives is the ‘World of the Wild’ app, launched in 2015. Designed to educate and inspire children, the app offers virtual scenarios where users can actively participate in wildlife conservation efforts. Inspired by the success of mobile games like Candy Crush, Natalie’s app combines education with entertainment to foster environmental awareness among younger audiences.
What sets the app apart is Natalie’s commitment to its development—she invested her savings and collaborated with world-renowned organisations like the Jane Goodall Institute to ensure the app’s educational and ethical impact.
The app has been celebrated for its ability to simplify complex environmental challenges while fostering global connections through interactive elements, including quizzes and charity links.
The Upcoming Kids’ Corner
Building on the success of ‘World of the Wild’, Natalie Kyriacou OAM is now working on ‘Kids’ Corner’. This is a digital classroom initiative aimed at teaching environmental science topics in a fun and engaging manner. Scheduled to launch soon, it will serve as a valuable resource for schools, hospitals, and families. The initiative is designed to make earth literacy accessible for all.
Achievements and Recognition
Few individuals achieve as much as Natalie Kyriacou OAM before the age of 40. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards, including:
- The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018 for her services in wildlife conservation and environmental education.
- Inclusion in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” Social Entrepreneurship list in 2018.
- Being a Regional Finalist for the UNEP Young Champion of the Earth Prize.
- Recognition as one of LinkedIn’s ‘Top Green Voices’ (2022) and The Australian’s ‘Top Innovators’ (2022).
These accolades underline her outstanding impact, inspiring countless others to step up as environmental and social advocates.
Advocacy and Impact
At the core of all her efforts is Natalie’s focus on driving intersectional change. She deeply believes in locally led solutions that involve grassroots collaborations while bridging institutional resources. Working with Sri Lanka’s Dogstar Foundation reflected her animal welfare advocacy on a global scale.
Natalie also uses her platform to elevate underrepresented voices in environmental and gender-equity spaces. Her advocacy consistently stresses the importance of empowering young women to redefine traditional definitions of leadership in conservation.
Public Speaking and Writing
Reaching Global Audiences
Natalie Kyriacou is an accomplished public speaker, having delivered more than 100 keynotes at international events, including the CPA Congress and Shared Value Summit. Represented by Saxton Speakers Bureau and ICMI, her persuasive storytelling and insightful expertise motivate audiences across fields.
Exploring Key Topics
A freelance writer, Natalie tackles the intersection of biodiversity, inclusivity, and social equity in her articles, inspiring critical thinking and dialogue. Her work has given her a means to further amplify her message, reaching growing audiences passionate about climate and equity issues.
Personal Philosophy and Leadership
Natalie Kyriacou’s career is characterised by a strong sense of mission and resilience. From facing financial barriers in the early days of My Green World to overcoming challenges in international leadership roles, she has remained steadfast.
Her philosophy revolves around the belief that curiosity and inclusion drive transformation. She finds joy and inspiration in working with children, seeing their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives on global challenges.
One of the key pieces of advice from Natalie Kyriacou OAM for aspiring conservationists is to recognise the importance of partnerships and collaboration in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful impact. She emphasises that everyone, regardless of the scope of their influence, has a role to play in contributing towards a thriving planet.
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