Joanne Howarth

As a serial entrepreneur, Jo has founded and successfully exited multiple businesses, but says Jo, it's not until now that she is doing her life’s best work.

In 2016 whilst contracted to set up the Australian operation for what is now the country’s largest meal kit provider, Jo encountered polystyrene’s pervasive challenges and founded Planet Protector to find a sustainable alternative. Planet Protector is on a mission to rid the world of polystyrene that has been filling our landfills and devastating our oceans for decades. WOOLPACK is 'shear genius' if you will excuse the pun. It is her vision and inspirational leadership that drives the business.

Armed with an Economics Degree from Sydney University, an MBA & Social Entrepreneurship from INSEAD.

Joanne has 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and in 2020 was humbled to be named Australia’s first ever Fellow in the prestigious Cartier Women’s Initiative. In May 2021, Jo was awarded the coveted Sydney University Alumni Prize for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is a passionate ecopreneur, a leader in the circular economy, and an advocate for gender equality and women in business.

In 2022, Jo was named “The Woman to Watch… Going Global” in the SBE Impact Awards. Jo leads a diverse and very accomplished team, most of whom have been with the business since its inception.

In 2022 Planet Protector won Gold as the National Winner of the Australian Sustainability Awards.