About us

Our Vision

Each year, new research shows increasing levels of stress, anxiety, isolation and depression in society. The problem is growing and yet the research is clear: better connection and stronger social relationships are the way forward.

iyarn was established to connect people through simple, powerful and flexible check ins. Purposeful check ins encourage expression and provide others with the opportunity to understand. They are a safe space where people can be vulnerable and their stories can be heard.

Our Story

Our Story

iyarn was inspired from the word Liyarn of the Western Kimberley Saltwater people on the
Dampier Peninsula, who ‘yarn’ together and connect through conversation.

When the community connects they ask, “How is your liyarn” a path leading into a
deeper conversation that can be explained in a variety of ways.

iyarn in the Community

Having been inspired from the Non-indigenous founder's experience with Indigenous Australia and particularly the Bardi people from One Arm Point community, iyarn has resources provisioned for Indigenous advancement. These will be allocated to Indigenous-lead NFP or Social enterprises over time. Advisors to this investment are Indigenous leaders from around Australia including Professor Len Collard, Nolan Hunter and Barbara Bynder along with our network of Indigenous organisations we are in partnership with.

If you are an Indigenous lead organisation or registered Non-For-Profit organisation we have community rates for the use of iyarn for clients support, data collection and evaluation. Please contact us via hello@iyarn.com.au to hear more about how we can support.

iyarn in the Community

Our Team

Lockie Cooke
Lockie Cooke

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Lockie created iyarn's platform to facilitate safe spaces for people to come together to have meaningful conversations. He's worked with businesses, organisations and community groups across Australia to create the safe spaces to truly connect.

Lockie Cooke was awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Western Region of Australia in 2015 and has represented Australia at the UN, G20 and CHOGM. He is the founder of the Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness Foundation (ICEA) and is a past board member at the School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia. Lockie previously represented Australia for sprint kayaking.

James Bairstow
James Bairstow

COO / Growth

Nikita Vladarsky
Nikita Vladarsky

Lead Developer

Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence

Business Development

Alex Kostur
Alex Kostur

Developer

Anna Moisieieva
Anna Moisieieva

Business Analyst

Anastasiya Labinska
Anastasiya Labinska

UX/UI Designer

Sophia Twitchen
Sophia Twitchen

Marketing

Sam Berrell
Sam Berrell

Accounting

Our Advisors

Adrian Hondros

Adrian Hondros

Phil George

Phil George

Troy Douglas

Troy Douglas

Dan Fraser

Dan Fraser

Research Team

Professor Jane Burns

Professor Jane
Burns

Dr. Paula Robinson

Dr. Paula Robinson

Dr Simon Knight

Dr Simon Knight

Peter Lee

Peter Lee

Research Partners

UTS logo
NSW logo
Find out more about our research partnerships

First Nation Advisory Team

Dwesmond Wiggin Dann

Dwesmond Wiggan-Dann

Nolan Hunter

Nolan Hunter

Danny Ford

Danny Ford

Barbarah Bynder

Barbara Bynder

Toni Skeen

Toni Skeen

Our Partnerships

  • Global NSW logo
  • Fogarty foundation logo
  • Fish logo
  • AIS logo

Why it is important

Science indicate the best pathway to influence our happiness is to devote more time in building relationships. The human brain is wired to connect with others purely for survival and wellbeing. Evidently, having some form of connection with others has proven to be an active ingredient influencing how we feel and perform (Desmond, 2020).

Learn more
What is for? (team believe in big mission)

Feel free to contact us

We are always open to new collaborations,
people and ideas