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Meet Dan Roberts, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of IREN Energy
As a leader at the helm of a leading renewable energy company, Dan Roberts understands the demands of high-stakes decision-making. Yet, amidst the complexities of driving innovation in technology and sustainability, he also recognises the importance of wellbeing - both for himself and his team.
Having experienced the transformative power of Aro Ha firsthand, Dan recently chose to extend that experience to his executive team, bringing them on a private retreat designed to reset, refocus, and strengthen leadership dynamics.
In this quickfire interview, Dan shares his insights on leadership, the evolving role of sustainability in business, and why investing in team wellbeing is not just a luxury - but a strategic advantage.
Leadership & vision
- IREN operates at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and finance. What inspired you to build a Bitcoin mining company that prioritises renewable energy?
- We saw an opportunity to bridge technology, sustainability, and finance - leveraging abundant renewable energy to power the future of digital infrastructure and compute responsibly.
- How would you describe your leadership philosophy, and how has it evolved over the years?
- Lead with clarity, conviction and genuine belief. Over time, I’ve learned that adaptability and simplicity of messaging are just as important as strategy, especially in an industry as dynamic as ours.
- What do you think is the biggest misconception about Bitcoin mining and its environmental impact?
- That all mining is the same. In reality, mining can drive increased investment in renewables, strengthen grids and help solve energy market challenges when powered responsibly.
Sustainability & innovation
- Sustainability is core to IREN’s mission. What role do you see businesses like yours playing in the transition to cleaner energy solutions?
- We’re proving that energy-intensive industries can be sustainable. By monetising excess renewable energy, we help build a more resilient grid.
- Water consumption is also emerging as a key challenge for the industry - our data center design leverages both free air cooling and closed-loop liquid cooling to minimize the consumption of scarce water resources
- How does IREN balance the drive for innovation with responsible energy use?
- By focusing on efficiency and location—building operations where renewable energy is abundant and underutilised.
- Looking ahead, what’s the next frontier for IREN - whether in Bitcoin, AI cloud computing, or another space?
- The rapid emergence of AI is driving unprecedented demand for computing resources and data center capacity - powering this development in a sustainable way is going to be table stakes in the future
- A key priority for IREN is further expansion into the high-performance computing (HPC) sector - powering AI and cloud workloads using 100% renewable energy
Wellbeing & performance
- You first came to Aro Ha with a focus on your health. What specifically drew you to the retreat? What about it seemed different from other retreats?
- The integration of movement, mindfulness, and nutrition in a setting that forces you to disconnect and reset.
- As a high-performing leader, how do you integrate wellbeing into your life and work?
- Prioritising physical and mental recovery, ensuring clear thinking and sustained performance—whether through structured retreats, exercise, or simply taking time to reset.
- You recently hosted your executive team at Aro Ha. Why was this an important investment for IREN?
- Because leadership performance starts with personal well-being, connection and relationships. A well-rested, mentally clear and connected team makes better decisions.
- What did you and your team take away from the experience?
- A deeper sense of clarity, connection, and purpose - not just for the business but for ourselves.
The Bigger Picture
- With your experience at Aro Ha, what advice would you give to other leaders about prioritising wellbeing in high-stakes industries?
- Burnout doesn’t drive success. The best leaders prioritise their team’s mental and physical resilience and well being, fostering personal growth and development to sustain high performance over time.
- What does success look like to you beyond business?
- Building a life of meaning - where family, personal growth, and impact matter just as much as professional achievements.
