In this episode of Executives in the Wild, we interview Tom Quigley, founder of Superorganism, a venture capital firm focused on tech startups that benefit biodiversity. Tom shares his journey from coral reef conservationist to startup operator and investor, emphasizing the critical connection between nature and professional success.
Tom describes his upbringing in North Carolina, where his love for nature began, and how his various outdoor obsessions—skiing, rock climbing, and diving—haveshaped his life and career. He highlights his early conservation work, his transition into the tech world, and how freediving helped him manage the pressures of working in a high-intensity startup environment.
A key theme in the conversation is resilience—both personal and ecological. Tom reflects on how experiences in nature, particularly diving, have taught him to remain calmunder pressure, which he applies to his professional life. He also discusses the emotional challenges of working in conservation, which is often a discipline focused on loss and decline but underscores the importance of telling regenerative stories to inspire future efforts. Tom provides us with inspiring examples of the innovative companies he works with and reflects on how love for nature can inspire action.
Tom’s recommendations:
Princess Mononoke (1997) Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Seek by iNaturalist – this app uses the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you.
Merlin Bird ID – this app provides you with a free global bird guide with pictures, sounds, maps and more.
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