Who we are

Robert is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.  He also serves on the boards of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the Climate Action Network Australia.  He was previously the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction. Earlier roles include Secretary-General of CARE International, Chief Executive of CARE Australia and Assistant Director-General at AusAID.

Pat McCafferty is the Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, one of Australia’s largest water utilities with over 20 years of experience in the Water Sector. He is also Chair of the Thriving Communities Partnership and past Chair of the Water Services Association of Australia.

Leading the strategy practice at impact-led consulting firm Spark Strategy, Felicity works predominantly with not-for-profit organisations on strategic planning and business models. Felicity has extensive experience in profit for purpose funding models, cross-sector collaborations and social innovation.

Kate has two decades of cross-cultural experience, consulting in 16 countries across Australia and Asia Pacific, designing, implementing and evaluating capacity building and leadership programs for organisations across many sectors including international aid and development, the Defence and Intelligence communities, and the Australasian and Asian water sectors. Her particular passion focuses on gender equality and social inclusion.

Alex is a Principal Legal Officer in the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Prior to this, she worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 7 years, including a posting in Timor-Leste, and has held other legal and policy roles in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Mal has over 35 years of experience in the water industry. With a public water utility background, Mal is the Chief Development Officer at Sunwater, responsible for developing and delivering bulk water infrastructure for industrial, mining, irrigation, or urban use throughout Queensland.

Louise has been Chief Executive Officer of Urban Utilities since 2012, and prior to this, was the utility’s founding Chief Financial Officer. Preceding Urban Utilities’ formation, Louise held several senior management roles at Brisbane City Council, including Executive Manager Water Retail, where she helped facilitate Australia’s largest water sector transition that merged five local government water and sewerage businesses into Australia’s fourth-largest water retailer (Urban Utilities).

Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence has run a risk management consulting practices for Deloitte & Touche in London, New York and Sydney, has worked for United Nation's agencies and for CSOs/NGOs in strategic and operational management, as well as managing programs to enhance gender equality and build ethical leadership capacity. In her scholarly life, she researches decolonial epistemology and ethics, and teaches courses in gender and development

Heather Brown has over 20 years of experience in international development including senior management in Australian NGOs as Program Director for the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) and Plan International Australia. Heather currently works as a consultant in the areas of gender equality, eliminating violence against women and providing organisational development advice for Women's Rights Organisations in the Pacific, Australian NGOs and development organisations and United Nations agencies.

Anseel Tayah is a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, creative director and cultural leader who uses her practice to advocate for artists of colour, mothers, children and young people, "changing the world, one project at a time." She has recently been described as “an unstoppable force in the Australian cultural landscape.”

Teresa has more than 20 years’ experience as a marketing, communications and fundraising professional across the NGO, corporate and government sectors. Her career has included consulting and senior leadership roles with leading international NGO’s and publicly listed companies, as well as co-founding a successful international startup.

Joining WaterAid in 2015, Tom oversees WaterAid’s programming, policy and influencing activities. Tom has over 20 years’ experience working with international development and Australia social policy organisations.

Ms Navara Kiene is the Deputy Country Director – Programs for WaterAid Papua New Guinea. Navara joined WaterAid in May 2019. Navara has over 10 years’ experience in the development field having managed contractors to implement donor-funded programs in Papua New Guinea. Navara holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from the University of Queensland.

Justino started with WaterAid in 2013 and has been active in local NGOs since 1999, including holding the positing of Chairman of Board of NGO Forum for five years. Justino brings his longterm focus on advocacy and experience in engaging with decision-makers and skills facilitation to lead the WaterAid Timor-Leste team.

Sophiep has worked in community development for over 20 years and believes deeply in working for humanity and social justice. Sophiep studied International Relations and Development and is also a speaker to youth groups and social entrepreneurs in Cambodia. 

Jenny has worked in international development for over 12 years, working with WaterAid for over four years. Prior to working in international development, Jenny worked as a senior finance officer in the private sector. Starting as a Senior Accountant with WaterAid PNG, Jenny moved to Operations Manager and is now Director of Operations.