David James Connolly
A highly accomplished international executive, with a wealth of experience in leading and growing companies to achieve ongoing success. Proven track record in managing change, driving growth and shareholder returns, winning large scale projects and leading high performing teams. A high energy, focused, innovative, and strategic leader, passionate about delivering results.
David is a technology Trade Delegate to China (康诺利). WeChat ID: DaveConnolly
David holds a Masters of Business Administration specialized in Entrepreneurial Management, Graduate Diploma in Management.
David is a 5th generation Australian.
David is currently Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Fashion Ventures Pty Limited, a Series A company commercializing the worlds most sustainable denim through the worlds most efficient distribution models, a USD 100 billion dollar opportunity to remove plastics from the Denim Supply Chain and improve worker conditions from Farm to Factory.
Sustainable Fashion Ventures is a Cotton Incorporated partner and its GREEN TAB denim is approved for Australian Export Finance. Sustainable Fashion Ventures completed early stage works in partnership with Commonwealth Government Export Market Development.
Masters Education
While in lock-down in Australia David completed a Masters of Business Administration focused on Entrepreneurial Management through the Australian Institute of Business. Study inclusive of: Entrepreneurship, Franchising, Digital Business Startup, Project, International Business, Strategic Management, Financial Management, Corporate Governance, Leadership, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Strategic Human Resource Management.
For the Masters Project David delivered: Environmental impact of denim Trucker Jacket's spanning cotton farming, industry 4.0 and global sales and distribution as it relates to water.
Subsequent to the Masters Project David has developed the worlds most sustainable 100% cotton denim Trucker Jacket, in partnership with Cotton Incorporated, under brand GREEN TAB.
David is the first globally to successfully apply Performance Technologies to 100% Cotton Denim.
International Sales and Distribution: https://www.TruckerJacket.com
Project outputs: https://www.GreenTab.clothing
Politics
Davids sole view is that each generation should manage this country and hand it on to the next generation in the same or a better state than they received it in.
"Trade, Climate and Deregulation"
To see how far we have come, read the Geoffrey Blainey book Black Kettle and Full Moon.
Other Background
CAREER
David was sponsored by IBM Corporation through Tertiary Education and later was selected to participate in IBM Global Sales School and pursue a career in Technology. David represented young Executives as Chair of the Associate Network and was awarded the Inferno Award for highest performing new hire. David was the face of IBM sales recruiting 2007 - 2012 globally.
David built a career across all technology domain disciplines, broadened his industry experience expanding geoscientific, mining and environmental consultancies globally as a Strategic Pursuit Leader. In his last role David carried a USD 330 million sales target and the highest professional banding globally.
As an Executive Director David has expanded ventures internationally, divested assets at above market valuations, turned around ASX listed companies and invented break through technologies in the fashion industry. David holds the record for the fastest, largest, turnaround on the ASX achieving 3278% growth and (91%) cost reduction whilst delivering 300% return on equity within 18 months as recognised by the Deloitte 2017 Fast 500.
David maintains fitness through weight training, swimming and light circuit work.
SERVICE
David entered the Australian Army through the Direct Entry Special Forces program, achieving 100% on Military Aptitude Test and exceeding fitness standards.
David completed the Special Forces Entry Test aged 23 and qualified in weapons and tactics, serving as a soldier for in excess of 13 years. Subsequent to the Australian Army establishing a common Trade Model for Commando's David was tasked with training a Team to new standards. David developed proprietary Soldier Management Systems to automate the reporting of Australian Army Individual Readiness Notice and Platoon level weapons, competency and license requirements.
At the conclusion of School of Infantry the Regimental Sergeant Major formally noted in his assessment of David:
"...an exceptional infantry soldier. Recommended to pursue a career in Special Forces"
In 2009 David and members of his unit led the ANZAC Day parade in Melbourne on St Kilda Road, David carried the Australian National Flag. David's service follows in the service of his father, and his fathers' father before him.
TERTIARY EDUCATION
David completed Tertiary Education at Swinburne University Hawthorn, obtaining a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Information Technology. David completed final year Industry Based Learning with the National Australia Bank, obtaining 99.35% (154/155 marked criteria) achievement against set performance measures.
David was selected by the students to hold the roles of President of the Bachelor of Information Technology Society and Student Representative on the Curriculum Steering Committee - the latter being the formalised steering committee inclusive of course sponsors and academia. David obtained Dean awards for highest result in subjects Organizational Behavior and Information Systems Project.
David was Vice-Captain of Swinburne Rugby 7's and led the team to achieve runners up at the Australian Unisports games.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
David completed secondary education at Camberwell Boys Grammar School, obtaining the highest final year combined result for Mathematics. David was selected as a Prefect by the students and held the Regimental Sergeant Major rank as top soldier of the school Army Cadet Corps.
David won first place in school athletics 400m, 1500m and Cross Country, additionally representing the school in Triathlon, Marathon Kayaking, Water-polo, Athletics and Football. David was awarded the Bland family Shield for Leadership and service to Army Cadets.
As an Old Boy David returned to the School to win the Open Day Gift handicapped sprint, receiving the CR Bence Cup, and has been recognised for his achievements in Technology and Industry.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
David spent his primary years primarily schooling with Weetangera Primary, Canberra, and The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James of Mundingburra, Townsville.
David was identified as a "keen student" and in the final year, year 6, David was elected to Class Representative and subsequently President of the School Student Representative Council.
David played Soccer with the revered Belconnen South under 10's and Townsville PCYC and and was a top athlete at the Ross River Athletics Club on track and field.
ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
"David's test results reveal striking uniformity, both across and within scales. His overall abilities are equally developed, both across the auditory-verbal and the visio-spatial domains, and there is no obvious area of weakness.
There is a 95% chance that his true IQ score falls in the range of 110"
Dr Vincent Papaleo
Clinical Psychologist
EARLY LIFE
David was born at the Mercy Hospital in East Melbourne, and put down for Melbourne Cricket Club membership the following day.
David was baptized Catholic at the Immaculate Conception in Hawthorn and begun life in a Defence Force Family with the first posting in Queenscliff. Family duties took David to Dayton Ohio, Canberra, Townsville, Canberra, Melbourne and innumerable other spots on a briefer basis.
CHARITY
David is a regular donor to Starlight Children Foundation and sponsors a child in Uganda through World Vision.
"There are two well worn paths out of Poverty in Africa, sport and education. For the 99% who won't make the elite sports level, education is a pretty good second bet."
David on World Vision
"I have been in a jam plenty of times. Dislocated jaw, perforated eardrum, broken teeth, broken shoulder, broken ribs, broken hands, fractured legs and plenty more. I think its great that Starlight puts a smile of the face of little tacker's in a serious jam, hope is an incredible healer."
David on Starlight Children Foundation
OTHER SPORT
Extreme
Advanced Open Water Diving 2000-present
Free-fall skydiving 2018-2019
Endurance Motorcycling 2020-present
Mountaineering
Annapurna Range 1999
Atlas Mountains 2002
Kota Kinabalu 2011
Black Cuillin, Skye, 2002
Mount Buffalo 2000
Cradle Mountain 1999
Learned to climb with John Muir at Mount Arapiles 1998
Endurance
Crossfit 2019 - 2024
DL, SP, FS, BP - 230, 130, 140, 150 kgs
Oxfam 100km run 2010
Rugby Union
Box Hill Bronco's 2003-2006
Albury Woodonga Steamers 2006
Winners Leighton 10's 2005
Runners up University Games 7's 2004
Corporate Games Winners Division D Touch 2008
AFL
AFL Montmorency Magpies 1999-2001
Triathlon
Gatorade Super Sprint Triathlon 1998-2001
State Triathlon Selection Invitational 2000-2001
Corporate Games Triathlon 2006-2010
Kayaking
TK2 Murray River Marathon 1998-2001
Bridge to Bridge 2000-2001
Dragon Boating 1998-2001
Motorsport
Targa Tasmania 2007
Mount Bulla Sprint 2007-2009
Lake Mountain Tango 2008
Wangaratta Classic 2008
Case: ESTTA1206740, Opposition No. 91276180
Court: United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Case No. 5:22-cv-04106-VKD
Court: United States District Court, Northern District of California
Case: 18-002035-CB
Court: Circuit Court for the County of Wayne, State of Michigan
Case: VID849/2018
Court: Federal Court of Australia
Case: MLG963/2017
Court: Federal Circuit Court of Australia
Case: CI-18-02869
Court: County Court of Victoria
Case: K12015192
Court: Melbourne Magistrates
