What drew you to Sustineo?
Every time I heard the name Sustineo, it was followed by a lot of praise and came from colleagues I highly respected. I was drawn to their commitment to genuine partnerships with local stakeholders, particularly through approaches that allow decision making to be shared. Showing up for my interview and seeing Pacific representation on the selection panel really sealed the deal for me.
What do you hope to achieve during your time at Sustineo?
To help shape climate change responses that are grounded in local realities and shaped by the knowledge communities already hold. I hope to keep learning from the people around me and to help create space for different ways of knowing to influence how the development sector responds to climate change.
What has been your biggest learning experience from your career so far?
Taking a capacity sharing rather than a capacity building approach. Some of the best work happens when we slow down, build trust, and recognise that local partners and communities already hold deep knowledge and experience. Development should be less about arriving with answers and more about working alongside others in ways that are useful and respectful.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
Dugongs and manatees would have to be my all-time favourite animals. They’re these gentle giants of the sea that go about their lives causing barely any harm to those they share space with. I think if we could all be a bit more like a dugong the world would be a far better place. I was once in the Gulf of Mexico and had a wild manatee come say hello by slobbering all over my dive mask – it’s still to this day one of the most incredible moments I’ve ever experienced in nature.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
I spend a lot of time in my garden. I love growing my own food and creating habitat that supports local wildlife. Nothing beats spotting a water dragon or tawny frogmouth making itself at home in something you helped create. When I’m not in the garden, I’m usually spending time with loved ones or getting underwater with a snorkel whenever I can.
What was the last book you read?
Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright. A sharp and imaginative weaving together of climate change, cultural identity, and the enduring impacts of colonialism.
