Our Team

is the Project Coordinator for the Better Futures Australia initiative. Ajaya has over four years experience in grassroots climate engagement programs, has previously developed partnerships for not-for-profits, local governments and corporates, and has an interest in systems automation. He has a background in geography and has volunteered in the youth development sector for over a decade, and is particularly interested in the response of young people to climate change. Ajaya enjoys playing board games, ultimate frisbee and is based on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people in Melbourne.

is CANA’s Operations Manager. They manage the organisational development, financial planning, legal compliance and staff management of CANA. Inari has over six years experience in Climate Justice advocacy alongside their experience in operations management, administration, event planning and movement building. They have a background in community development and organising and are particularly passionate about the Climate movement prioritising justice for First Nations peoples. Inari enjoys training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, camping and gardening and is based on Gubbi Gubbi Country north of Brisbane.

is the Campaign Assistant for the Solutions for Climate Australia project. She provides campaign and admin support for senior campaigners for partisan federal climate action. Trained as a climate scientist, she worked on various scientific project roles in the UK and Australia for environmental consultancy organisations. Projects she worked on in Australia include planning for sustainable indigenous communities in a changing environment in far north Queensland, water quality management for Maroochy Waterwatch and tropical water studies in Cairns. Larni is passionate about adventure travel, running and advocating for effective federal climate policy. She lives on the Sunshine Coast on Jinabara lands.

leads the Solutions for Climate Australia project, working to create enduring bipartisanship in federal politics for decisive action on climate. An ecologist by training, BJ is one of Australia’s most successful environmental advocates and has led and co-led work on many major environmental campaigns. This has included work with Indigenous peoples to protect Outback landscapes, greatly expanding Australia’s marine park network, and getting in place controls on land-clearing in Queensland, which greatly reduced Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. BJ has lived in country Australia all his life and is especially passionate about protecting nature, and working with people in regional and remote Australia. He lives on Jinabara lands in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

is CANA’s Executive Director. She leads on strategy and planning across the Network, supporting CANA staff to grow a strong, effective and diverse climate movement in Australia. She has worked with civil society around the world including for Climate Action Network International, Oxfam Great Britain and Oxfam Australia, and with Pacific civil society. She developed and campaigned on a Climate Damages Tax on the fossil fuel industry, and has written on climate justice, loss and damage, finance, displacement, litigation, coal and energy intensive industries. Julie-Anne loves epic train holidays and growing food on her balcony. She is based on the land of the Eora Nation (Sydney).

is a senior campaigner working on advocacy for bipartisan Federal Parliament action on climate change. Sophia’s role involves working with people and organisations to shift the dial on the Federal Government’s current commitments to act on climate change. Sophia’s professional background includes working with a range of environmental organisations in Australia, China and Botswana, including most recently the Pew Charitable Trusts. Sophia has worked in journalism, at a native title organisation and at a campaigning electorate office. She is particularly passionate about supporting people to be empowered to make decisions about and care for their country, in particular land justice for First Nations peoples. Sophia is a Queenslander and lives on Yuggera and Turrbal country in Brisbane.

is CANA’s Network Organiser. She facilitates and supports members' capacity to participate & collaborate across the network. Melissa has a background in community development, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, advocacy, and project management. She has led the development of campaigns, action plans and resources for targeted populations with local government & in previous roles with the Central Land Council & NPY Women’s Council, has worked with remote Indigenous groups across the NT, SA, & WA, supporting & promoting good governance through participation in design and implementation of projects, & sustainable development projects in Mexico. She sits on the Management Grp for the Cooks River Litter Strategy & is engaged in bush regeneration at Kamay National Pk. Melissa is a keen bird watcher, enjoys kayaking and lives on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. 

is CANA’s Strategist. He coordinates the National Climate and Energy Policy and Politics working group (CEPP). Glen has worked in the climate and environment sectors for more than 25 years including as 350 Australia’s Campaigns Strategist, Director of the Places You Love alliance and Director at WWF-Australia. As Energy Strategist for CANA Glen will help coordinate and align the sector’s positions on policy and regulation and support advocacy for improved government policy and action on climate change. Glen is based on the land of the Eora Nation (Sydney).

is CANA’s Program Manager. Lisa engages a broad range of organisations to deliver the Better Futures Australia initiative, driving ambition across society and the economy and amplifying diverse voices calling on the federal government to do more. An environmental scientist and climate policy professional by training, Lisa has several years experience working across sectors to co-design and deliver solutions to environmental challenges. Prior to CANA she was working with The Climate Reality Project - Australia and Pacific Branch to enable a community of 1,600 trained leaders. Lisa has also worked with the Queensland Conservation Council and the ACT Government. Lisa loves exploring the outdoors. She is based on the land of the Jagera and Turrbal Nations (Brisbane).

is CANA’s Finance and Governance Officer.  She manages the accounts and legal compliance for the organisation, as well as handling HR functions and Service Agreements.  After leaving the UK’s financial sector and moving to South Australia in 2004, Alison spent some time as Office Manager at Trees For Life, who work both to protect bushland and to help landholders and farmers with their revegetation projects.  She has also worked at Sustainability House, who provide energy assessments and design services to help their clients to create environmentally sustainable homes and commercial buildings.  Alison enjoys singing, Latin and ballroom dancing and nature photography.  She volunteers at Trees For Life and Freedom Hill Animal Sanctuary and is based on the land of the Ngarrindjeri people in South Australia’s Lower Murray and Coorong region.