OUR COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
Mia Swainson
Mia Swainson is a freelance writer and consultant with a passion for sustainable living. Her work in sustainable development, spaning more than 15 years, has taken Mia across Australia and around the world. By making one small change at a time, Mia is proof that living a cleaner, greener and simpler life is within everyone’s reach.
Mia’s consultancy business helps people and organisations make the big decisions that matter. She’s an executive coach, professional facilitator and management consultant. On weekend’s you’ll find her digging in the garden, biking around Canberra or working towards a local zero waste revolution with friends.
secretary
Jonathan Happold
Experienced veterinary epidemiologist and project manager with a strong track record in senior leadership positions in government and the private sector. Adept at stakeholder engagement and working in interdisciplinary teams at the interface of science, policy and communication. Jonathan has degrees in Veterinary Science (Sydney) and Veterinary Epidemiology (London), and is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Epidemiology).
As a private-sector consultant since 2017, Jonathan has worked with a diverse range of clients in Australia and around the world. He is open to consulting opportunities, particularly those that allow him to add value through his combination of technical expertise and experience in a range of policy, program and development settings.
TREASURER
Annalisa Dietrich
Environmental & Approvals Lead Canberra Light Rail Stage 2a
More details coming soon.
MEMBER
Dr Barbara Walsh
Based on Ngunnawal country, I am a self-employed educator, researcher and communication and engagement strategist with a long and varied experience in professional communication and higher education management. My current roles at the Health Research Institute and News and Media Research Centre at University of Canberra include management of national consultation, qualitative research and asset-based community development programs.
Over 25 years of working as a professional communication practitioner, manager and leader in the UK, Sydney and Canberra led me to academia in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra (UC). In this time I taught communication at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and developed and led a significant Work- Integrated Learning program for creative industries students and graduates.
Member
Gurkan Yeniceri
Gurkan Yeniceri is a highly proficient Solution Architect/Analyst with 20+ years of experience in architecting, managing and developing large-scale projects. He has experience working in the private banking and finance sectors, Federal and State government departments, and the supply-chain management industry utilising various methodologies and a broad range of technical skills. He has worked in all facets of the software development life cycle, including standardisation and methodology improvement areas, and is currently involved in a range of digital transformation projects. With experience working in several different countries, Gurkan values workplace diversity, different perspectives, experiences, and abilities and cultivates productive working relationships that contributes to team cohesion.
MEMBER
Julie Boulton
Julie is a sustainability strategist and storyteller. She specialises in the application and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides strategic advice and analysis to a wide range of stakeholders across all 17 SDGs. Julie has a particular focus on SDG 12, responsible consumption and production, specifically the application of circular economy principles to Australia’s fashion industry. Julie spent over ten years in the Federal Government (DFAT, AusAID and Attorney General’s Department), including a two-year posting to the Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.. She has written and illustrated four children’s books on sustainability and run workshops for the CEC for primary school students on sustainability topics.
Julie holds a Masters in International Development from RMIT and a Bachelor of Law/Arts degree from Deakin University.