We pride ourselves on attracting people with lived experience and expertise across all sectors at the intersection of climate, social justice, policy and economic change.
Dr Amanda Cahill
CEO
Amanda is the founder and CEO of The Next Economy. She is an author, sought after media commentator, and trusted advisor to communities, government and industries navigating the complex transition to net zero emissions. She has over two decades experience working on economic development, public health, gender equality and climate adaptation across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Lizzie Webb
Head of Programs
Lizzie has 20 years of experience leading for-purpose organisations across Australia and South-East Asia. With a background in humanitarian engineering and work with First Nations entrepreneurs. Lizzie’s core skills include organisational leadership and governance, enterprise design and business model development, partnership brokering, strategic planning, and fundraising.
Jacqui Bell
Program Director - Land
Jacqui leads our land sector work, encompassing agriculture, land use change, climate resilience and adaptation. An architect by trade, she has 15+ years’ experience working in the private, for-purpose and philanthropic sectors across sustainable built environments, community development, social innovation, organisational development and disaster resilience in Australia and South-East Asia.
Dr Katherine Trebeck
Program Director - Economy
Katherine leads our economic systems change work. She is a political economist and author with roles including writer-at-large at the University of Edinburgh, consultant to the Club of Rome and strategic advisor to the Centre for Policy Development. Katherine co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and WEAll Scotland and instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Government.
Saideh Kent
Program Director - Energy
Saideh leads our Energy sector work, supporting communities to manage Australia’s transition to renewable energy. Saideh has 20 years of experience delivering major infrastructure projects across the energy, water and agriculture sectors. She specialises in remote and regional community engagement and bringing diverse stakeholders together to navigate complex problems.
Jolee Wakefield
Communications Director
Jolee leads our communications work, bringing 20 years of experience as a journalist and in communications and behavioural change roles in Australia, the Pacific, Southeast Asia and the UK. Jolee has worked as the Director of the Climate Media Centre at the Climate Council of Australia, and on projects for the Brisbane Economic Development Board, World Bank Group, and Government of Kiribati.
Lisa Lumsden
Senior Project Officer - Energy
Lisa’s experience spans community development, local government, social research and small business ownership. An Occupational Therapist by trade, Lisa’s career pivoted while serving as a Port Augusta City Councillor during the surprise closure of local coal power stations. She was a key community leader for the ‘Repower Port Augusta’ campaign and received the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection.
Julie Weston
Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Julie is our office manager and executive assistant to the CEO. She has extensive corporate and not-for-profit experience providing executive support at both the CEO and Board level. Julie also runs her own business as a registered marriage celebrant. She has organised adventure treks in the Himalayas to raise funds to support women in developing countries to undertake women’s health screening.
Doug Ruuska
Senior Project Officer - Land
Doug is a social-technical professional, with experience in engineering and community development. He has a Master of Integrated Water Management from the International Water Centre. Doug has facilitated processes to navigate complex challenges with the private, government and non-government sectors focused on climate resilient and inclusive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes.
Reanna Willis
Senior Project Officer
Reanna has a technical background in soil and agricultural science, which has underpinned her worked in land resource assessment, regenerative placemaking, community engagement for disaster risk reduction, and teaching. Reanna has supported diverse clients to develop ESG strategies and reporting, and advised State Government on the practical implementation of doughnut economics principles.
Olivia Bailey
Research Officer
Olivia advises on government policy and submissions, providing strategic support and advice across our work. Olivia draws on her experience at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Net Zero Economy Taskforce, where she was responsible for research and stakeholder engagement, including with government ministers, private sector entities and NGOs, to inform the design of the Net Zero Authority.
Lyndsay Walsh
Project and Research Officer – Energy
Lyndsay supports our regional engagement and policy development work across research and project delivery. She brings experience in climate policy and advocacy across Australia and Europe, previously leading Oxfam Australia’s climate justice work, as well as working on EU energy policy at WWF’s European Policy Office and on Sustainable Finance within the European Commission.
Our board
We rely on the support, advice and wisdom of our committed Board members who lead in key sectors across government, unions, social and environmental justice, academia and industry.
Professor John Wiseman
Chair
John Wiseman is a Professorial Research Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute and with the Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne. His other current roles include Adjunct Professor at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Development and Climate Change Policy Adviser at Sustainability Victoria.
Dr Amanda Cahill
CEO
Amanda is the founder and CEO of The Next Economy. She is an author, sought after media commentator, and trusted advisor to communities, government and industries navigating the complex transition to net zero emissions. She has over two decades experience working on economic development, public health, gender equality and climate adaptation across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Emily Gerrard
Director
Emily is a Director and Principal Lawyer at Comhar Group Pty Limited. She is an environmental and climate change law specialist with extensive experience in native title, Indigenous land use agreements, renewable energy and environmental markets. Emily is an Affiliated Expert with the UK Government’s UK PACT programme and an expert member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy.
Wendy Farmer
Director
Wendy is the President of Voices of the Valley, a community advocacy group that formed during the catastrophic 2014 Hazelwood brown coal mine fire in Victoria. Over time, Wendy’s focus has shifted to supporting her community to explore how the Valley can transition to a cleaner energy economy. She is a dedicated campaigner, media spokesperson, passionate community advocate and public speaker.
Lisa Remato
Director
Lisa Remato is a dedicated advocate for sustainable food systems, regenerative farming practices, seed sovereignty and food biodiversity. As the Chair for The Diggers Foundation, Lisa plays a pivotal role in advancing their mission to promote biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices. Her leadership extends to other roles in project management, consultancy and as a community volunteer.