The 5 Gyres Institute Welcomes Kathleen Egan to the Board of Directors

The 5 Gyres Institute is thrilled to welcome Kathleen Egan to the Board of Directors, to provide strategic counsel and leadership during a key time for the organization. Kathleen brings decades of experience in the corporate sustainability sector, helping businesses to draft and implement sustainability plans, increasing efficiencies and environmental performance while minimizing harmful impacts.

"Single-use plastic and waste were not always popular issues,” Kathleen observes. “5 Gyres collected scientific data to put plastic on the radars of activists, consumers, legislators, and businesses. I'm thrilled to join their exceptional team to fight for clean oceans and less waste. #votewithyourwallet"

Kathleen’s rare blend of rigorous academic expertise in business, finance, and operations, and a long background in non-profit activism work makes her uniquely positioned to support 5 Gyres in working to drive greater impact. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, a BS in engineering from Lehigh University, and 13 years experience as the founder of an arts/advocacy project called Stop the Plastic Wave, Kathleen understands well the multiple pathways to drive positive change, through both the private and public sector.

"Kathleen's keen business sense, intelligence and passion to stop the growth of plastic pollution is a powerful asset to the 5 Gyres board,” shared Air Copeland, Executive Director.  “We are so fortunate to have her join the team and I couldn't be more excited to see how she will impact our growth and development in years to come."