Sarah McInerney is the Program Director for Innovation at the Biomimicry Institute, where she leads the Ray of Hope Accelerator, supporting pioneering, nature-inspired climate tech startups to transform breakthrough ideas into scalable solutions with measurable environmental and social impact. She received her PhD from the University of Akron, where her research focused on the systemic barriers that prevent industries from adopting nature-inspired innovation as a mainstream strategy.
She has designed and facilitated innovation programs for Fortune 500 executives, governments, and global coalitions, creating the trust, collaboration, and vision needed to drive meaningful change. Raised on a small farm in Ireland, she brings scientific rigor, entrepreneurial vision, and cultural fluency to her work, grounded in the belief that creativity, innovation, and laughter are essential to shaping a regenerative future.