Our Management Team:
The Board of Governors & Advisors.
Chairman of the Board - Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg
DBA (Maritime), CRMgr, ProfNZISM, FCLP, AFIAMCS, MRSN, MIoD, MInSTR, AFRIN, DFCIML
Dr. CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg is an accomplished maritime professional with over two decades of experience across military service, emergency management, and maritime operations.
Beginning his career in the Royal Australian Navy and later serving in the Army, he has undertaken deployments across the Asia-Pacific, including peacekeeping, humanitarian, and joint military operations. His civilian career spans senior HSE and operational roles in the oil & gas, shipping, and mining sectors in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.
Holding advanced degrees in maritime safety, strategic leadership, organisational safety, human factors and environmental management, Dr. Manjarres-Wahlberg earned his Doctorate in Business Administration (Maritime Safety) from the Swiss School of Business Management. He is a Chartered Risk Manager, Fellow of multiple professional institutes, and published author on human factors, maritime safety, and emergency offshore operations.
A distinguished fellow of management and leadership, he also serves on several industry panels and in safety advocacy roles. Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg volunteers his time as Chairman and Director of the Sea Heritage Foundation, an NFP charity that owns the last Cape-class lighthouse tender ship, MV Cape Don, in Sydney, Australia. He founded the “Get into Maritime” program delivered from the ship and other maritime platforms to teach Indigenous Australians to become ratings in the maritime industry. He is also managing the dry docking of the ship for entry into the Captain Cook Dry Dock towards the end of 2026.
Recognised internationally for his leadership, he has served as an Associate and then an International Leadership Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows at the College of Saint George at Windsor Castle.
His current roles outside the foundation are HSE Manager and Designated Person Ashore for Heron Group New Zealand in Australia, and Integration Manager for Heron Ship Repair in New Zealand.
Notably, he was involved in the management of risk and operational safety for the salvage and diving operations for HMNZS Manawanui, lost off the Southern Samoan coast in October 2024. Phases 1 and 2 of the salvage operation lasted five months
Dr Manjarres-Wahlberg has delivered research at the World of Shipping Conference in Portugal and at the University of Strathclyde International Maritime Human Factors Symposium in Glasgow.
He is currently undertaking research in Leadership and social impact.
Board Director - Paul Pokorny
TMIEAust, MAIP, MIEEE, MMSA
Paul Pokorny has been associated with the MV Cape Don Society Inc. since commencing as a volunteer Electrician in 2011. Over the past few years Paul has also taken on the office bearer role as Secretary and for a time, Acting President.
Professionally, Paul is Director and Engineering Manager of the NATA-accredited electrical testing laboratory company, Power System Support Pty Ltd since 2013, having spent the previous 15 years with the CSIRO/National Measurement Institute’s High Voltage Laboratory and the previous 20 years in a variety of technical and engineering positions in the electrical, electronic, scientific instrumentation and industrial production areas.
Board Director - Newly Appointed Director Information Coming Soon
Check back soon.
Board Advisors:
The Board is supported by a number of experienced maritime and professional services providers who serve as advisors to the Foundation. The Sea Heritage Foundation is grateful for the diverse expertise and guidance provided by our advisors across the maritime industry, defence sector, legal profession, and operational and logistics support disciplines.
MV Cape Don Committee Members:
The MV Cape Don Committee serves as the Foundation’s volunteer management body, providing leadership and coordination for our volunteer crew. The Board extends its sincere appreciation to the committee members who generously give their time despite busy professional schedules, helping ensure the Foundation continues to meet key milestones and maintain progress across our programs.