The Virtual Irrigation Academy Ltd (VIA Ltd) is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). As a registered charity, VIA Ltd must comply with the ACNC Governance and External Conduct Standards which ensures the organisation remains charitable, operates lawfully and is run in an accountable and responsible way.

VIA Ltd is governed by a Board of Directors

Richard Stirzaker – Founder

Dr Richard Stirzaker is the founder of VIA and was the key driver of the development of the innovations during his 34 year long career at CSIRO, Australia's National Science Agency. Richard has long experience in the irrigation and agriculture sectors in Australia and Africa. He has a passion for improving smallholder farming and using simple tools and information to connect science and farmer experience. Since leaving CSIRO in late 2024, Richard continues to connect up with irrigation researchers and practitioners all over the world and to develop new VIA innovations in his garden laboratory.

Kim Gillis AM – Chair

Kim is an experienced company director and currently holds positions on 5 company boards, including Worley, a global engineering company and Advent International, a US based private equity firm. Kim’s career spans both public and private sector organisations, including Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence and CEO of Boeing Defence Australia. Kim was inducted as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australian Day Honours List for his significant service to public administration. In his spare time Kim enjoys restoring and driving vintage cars and being a grandfather to his 10 grandchildren.

Robyn Johnston

Dr Robyn Johnston was the Research Program Manager for Water for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), where she was integral to the development and creation of VIA. Before joining ACIAR, Robyn was Principal Researcher with the International Water Management Institute, including 3 years as the institute’s representative in Myanmar. Robyn previously worked with the Murray–Darling Basin Commission and the Mekong River Commission, as Environment Advisor for AusAID, and with the Bureau of Rural Sciences and Geoscience Australia, working on science and policy of land and water management.

Stuart Thompson

Born, raised and still living in Johannesburg, South Africa, Stuart’s early professional career was as an Engineer before moving to the finance and investment sector, where he focused on capital raising and early stage ventures. Stuart’s experience includes director roles with both JP Morgan and ING Barings and he now manages investment portfolios on behalf of private clients. Stuart’s passions include running and craft beer, where he has created his own recipe and brand, Loxton Lager, which you can find in select restaurants around Johannesburg.