Allow us to introduce our new Consultant, Rebekah Baynard-Smith! Bekah is a dedicated community development practitioner with experience in the disaster risk reduction and climate resilience sectors in Australia and the Indo-Pacific – we’re confident she’ll fit right in at Sustineo! Read on to learn a bit more about what makes Bekah tick:
What drew you to Sustineo?
I grew up as a ‘third culture kid’ in an international development family and I’ve always wanted my career to have a connection to that space. When I discovered Sustineo, I jumped at the opportunity to combine my experience in community development, research, M&E and all things Indo-Pacific – it was a no-brainer!
What do you hope to achieve during your time at Sustineo?
Having worked in the Australian domestic setting in recent years, I can’t wait to get back into the international space and grow professionally and personally with a fantastic team. I hope my skills and experience can contribute to great project outcomes and ultimately help people and environments across the Indo-Pacific.
What has been your biggest learning experience from your career so far?
Over the years I have learnt the importance of always being open to learn – from others, from difficult situations, from sector best practice. Whether it’s a new skill, using a new tool or piece of technology, picking up a new language or gaining subject matter expertise in a new field, I have found that keeping an open and curious mind is critical for an enriching and rewarding career.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
Being a huge geography and disaster nerd, I’m on a mission to climb as many volcanoes as I can. Four down – many, many more to go!
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
Outside of work you’ll find me at the pool training for summer open water swims, on a lake with my paddleboard, or pet-sitting a rescue greyhound.
What was the last book you read?
I recently read ‘Paradise’ by Abdulrazak Gurnah while on holiday on an idyllic island in Flores, Indonesia. Misleadingly, it wasn’t anything about relaxing on an exotic island, but a fascinating historical novel about a young boy growing up in East Africa at the turn of the 20th century.