I have been passionate about the state of the world and how to “make things better” for as long as I can remember. One of my most treasured gifts, when I was a child, was my first globe, so that I could see the Earth as a whole and how all of the places and people fit together.

I grew up on the prairies of Western Canada, not far from the Rocky Mountains. Itching to discover more about the world, I ventured on a backpacking excursion which took me to the Gulf of Carpentaria. I fell in love, and still can’t get enough of the wildlife, landscapes, coastlines and history of this magical place.

After completing my PhD in international environmental law and working for the Australian Government in Canberra, I spent several years working in global conservation and development with a major non-profit and my own consultancy firm in the United States, as well as with island countries and the United Nations. Most recently I was with the Global Food Practice in WWF International. It’s wonderful to now be back in Australia, raising my two sons amongst the beaches and bush tracks of the northern Gold Coast.

I am fascinated by the diversity of all life, and how we work together to sustain it. The food we eat is an essential part of who we are. Our changing climate is a threat to the sustainability of all that nourishes us, and a warning that we need to do things differently. I am privileged to lead an innovative team working on solutions to stabilise the climate system, and producing and consuming food in more secure, 'planet-friendly' ways.

When I’m not pursuing sustainability issues, I’m focused on disability inclusion and am an advocate for autism awareness.