Upwey, Victoria, Australia
I’m a connector, facilitator and sustainability consultant, based on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges. I’m known for weaving connections and helping to encourage and shape collaborations across the food and farming system, facilitating knowledge sharing, and prioritising the building of deep relationships and networks grounded in integrity and trust. Most recently, I worked as Team Leader of Industry Development at Sustainable Table, where I connected, convened and supported community and industry leaders and innovators across Australia’s regenerative food and farming system. This role aimed to support high-impact enterprises and initiatives to access appropriate networks, resources and catalytic capital. Supporting our regenerative farmers and innovators gives me immense hope for a secure food future for all Australians - which I believe is only possible with strong relationships and investment in more resilient local and regional food systems. Prior to this, I was Program Manager of Ripe for Change, where I helped bring to life a place-based, collaborative funding model aimed at supporting a sustainable and fair food system in south-east Melbourne. What began in 2017 as a small community grants program with two founding philanthropic partners evolved over four years into a powerful connecting resource in the region. The initiative attracted interest and backing from several additional partners and demonstrated the effectiveness of a co-designed, place-based funding model. I have recently resigned from Sustainable Table and am now exploring new roles and opportunities across the food and farming system, where I can continue to contribute to meaningful, place-based change. I hold a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), and during three subsequent years in academia - helping to establish the National Urban Water Governance Program - I developed a strong understanding of transition theory and the key factors that enable behaviour change and social transitions. I also have experience across not-for-profit organisations and local and state government authorities, giving me a diverse perspective and a strong appreciation of challenges and opportunities across sectors and disciplines. My experience spans sustainable food systems, integrated transport and land-use planning, and urban water management.
In this role I connected, convened and supported community leaders and farmers in Australia's regenerative food and farming system. This role aimed to support high-impact enterprises and initiatives to access appropriate networks, resources and catalytic capital.
I helped bring to life a place-based collaborative funding model that supported food system projects in south-east Melbourne, Victoria. What began in 2017 as a small community grants program, evolved into a powerful connector in the region and proved to be a successful funding model that has helped to shape where Sustainable Table is today.
Co-creator and facilitator of the Southern Gippsland Local Food Festival, Korumburra (2017), Baw Baw Food Hub (2017), Program Manager, Ripe for Change (2017-2019 as consultant, before becoming an employee of Sustainable Table)