Maria holds a BA in Psychology from Elmira College and a PhD in Applied Ethics (Global Justice) from the University of Melbourne. Her enthusiasm for working with students has led her to teach at universities across Australia, most recently at James Cook University as part of their MA Program in Conflict Management and Resolution. Maria’s research and consultancy work has contributed to toolkits, policy and strategic documents for StrongMinds Uganda, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the World Psychiatric Association, Relationships Australia and Amnesty International.

She applies creative-thinking to the complexity of project scenarios, holding technical skills in research, data collection and coding, report-writing, community facilitation and monitoring, evaluation and learning and diverse SOGIESC inclusion. Kirsty also has experience working in the humanitarian sector, including work that supports the inclusion of communities with diverse SOGIESC in crisis, and her time spent in Maharashtra, India with RedR for post-flood hygiene promotion.

Before working for Community Works and Kindred, Kirsty was a consultant with Edge Effect, an organisation that assists humanitarian and development organisations to work in genuine partnerships with sexual and gender minorities. At Community Works, Kirsty informs decisions around work that requires a deeper understanding of diverse SOGIESC inclusion.

Kirsty graduated from the Master of Development Studies at the University of Melbourne with Honors, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics & German, and a Diploma in French. She wrote her Master’s thesis on the disaster risk reduction agenda within the context of floods and the monsoon season in Bihar, India. She was interested in uncovering how the writers, implementers and improvisers of disaster management flood policies in Bihar imagine, prepare for and absorb the annual monsoon season. Specifically, she focused on examining the ontologies behind the international disaster risk reduction agenda, and what it can mean to live with uncertainty.

Steve has been appointed an Honorary Fellow at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne since 2016, where he teaches on the Masters in International Development. He was formerly a board member of Intermediate Technology Consultants, the Colombian Children’s Foundation and Remotebiz and he was the Chair of the Mental Health Association of Central Australia.

Steve is an advisor to multiple organisations, notably Ninti One (since 2008), the World Psychiatric Association (since 2014) and ConnectED (since 2018). His management expertise includes professional coaching, staff management, strategic development and attracting resources for new ventures. He has been a member of successful start-up teams that attracted major investment from multiple sources including the CRC for Remote Economic Development ($32m), the Young and Well CRC ($35m) and CitiesRISE ($14m).

Through the experiences summarised above, Steve has developed a range of specialised skills including in development practice, NGO strategy, scaling successful programs, community mental health, participatory research, monitoring and evaluation for social development programs, community development and appropriate technology. As a facilitator of over 300 workshops in a range of settings in Australia (especially with remote Aboriginal communities), the Pacific, South and South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America, he is accustomed to working through complex issues with multiple participants. Steve is considered an ethical and considerate professional who is open, inquisitive and a critical thinker. He is a strong writer and also a fluent speaker of Spanish.

Carolina has developed multiple skills as a social science researcher, using qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Her research experiences include an exploration for the International Labour Organisation (ILO), identifying barriers Indigenous people face in accessing the labour market in Colombia; she recently developed a case study on ‘Alternatives to coercion’, commissioned by the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP), focusing on a psychiatric clinic in Bogotá.

During the past three years Carolina has been involved in the design and implementation of community mental health and well-being initiatives. She has played an active role in a project funded by Grand Challenges Canada and implemented by OPIAC (Organisation of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon), which aims to support Indigenous youth from Vaupés in the pursuit of their mental well-being.

Katie has a background in writing and editing and relishes finding creative solutions to community-identified issues. She has previously worked as editor at Oxfam Australia and has vast experience helping organisations share their stories. Katie has also worked as a practising artist, art curator and photography teacher at a First Nations school in Maningrida, Northern Territory.

Most recently, she was an Impact Facilitator at Brotherhood of St Laurence in Australia, a social justice NGO focused on eliminating poverty. She led measurement and evaluation of a COVID-19 Community Strengthening project and managed staff. Working closely with a team of 32, she applied principles of Asset Based Community Development, Appreciative Inquiry, Advantage Thinking and Strengths-Based Capabilities Framework in a co-design fashion to engage with the community.

Annum is a strong writer, having authored research reports and articles, published in academic journals. She holds a Masters in Global Public Health and Epidemiology from Emory University in Georgia, USA.

She has supported organisations across North America, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Australia. She is multi-lingual with fluency in Sindhi, Urdu and Spanish, and identifies as Pakistani-American.

Dani’s areas of expertise include community development, stakeholder analysis and engagement, group facilitation, impact assessment, and participatory monitoring. Daniela has worked extensively with clients from diverse sectors, including the private sector, NGOs, and local government. Additionally, she has collaborated with various community stakeholder groups, such as migrants, Indigenous communities, and both rural and urban populations.

Driven by her passion for promoting inclusivity and collaboration among diverse groups, Daniela brings her wealth of professional experience to gain a deep understanding of people, contexts, needs, and interests. Her expertise in community development, stakeholder engagement, and impact assessment allows her to contribute valuable insights to our projects. With a focus on fostering understanding and cooperation, Daniela is dedicated to creating positive change and meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities.

Ingrid is passionate about the power of design to contribute to, and transform, society in positive ways. She ensures that visual design is considered from the creation phase of projects all the way through to the professional output and delivery of communications. Using simplicity and visually rich materials to convey meaning Ingrid employs her skills as a visual communicator to expand the reach of our clients' great ideas, stories and information.