Our Semester 2 Team (2025)

Tiyana is a recent PhD graduate whose research explored women’s empowerment and resilience in development. She is the founder of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network and works as a social impact strategist, committed to equipping grassroots changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to drive positive social transformation within their communities. Her work sits at the intersection of participatory development, gender equity, and systems change. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her tending her permaculture garden or immersed in her spiritual and creative practices.

Hiba is a Law, Economics and Finance student with a background in litigation of institutional abuse. She is passionate about human rights, foreign policy and advancing social justice through law reform. Outside of work, you can find her re-reading the Hunger Games books, café hopping and interior designing.

Akhila holds a Master of Public Health with a specialisation in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and has hands-on experience in community health and health promotion initiatives. She is driven by a passion for developing inclusive, evidence-based health policies and programs that empower communities. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, photography, and dance.

Kiri is a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Melbourne where she is majoring in Gender Studies. She's passionate about social justice and gender equality, particularly breaking down barriers for women, non-binary, and gender-diverse people. In her spare time, you can find Kiri on the soccer field, or curled up with a good book.

Emily is a Commerce and Global Studies student with a background in international studies and economics. She is dedicated to finding bottom-up solutions to social vulnerability and environmental challenges.

Robert is an admitted Australian solicitor with nearly three years of experience in mental health–adjacent areas of law. He's committed to justice and lifelong learning, recently beginning a Master of Public Policy to broaden his impact. Outside of work, you'll find him exploring the creative process—writing, performing, or getting lost in a good book.

Alex is a Sociology student majoring in International Development, with hands-on experience in community engagement and social impact. They're driven by a passion for inclusive support and empower diverse communities through grassroots coordination. Outside of work, you'll often find them exploring local art galleries, op shops and volunteering at community events.

Yin is a former teacher and a graduate of the Master of Development Studies at University of Melbourne. She is passionate about people and making a difference in the community. She is excited about evidence-based policy and contributing to developments in the education industry.

Jasmine is a final year International Studies and International Relations student. She's has a passion for diplomacy and foreign policy, and strives to make a change in Australia's policy future. Outside of policy, she enjoys travelling or drawing.

Will is currently pursuing a Master of Development Studies, building on a strong foundation in public policy and sustainable development. He’s passionate about translating big ideas into practical, evidence-based policy solutions that create real-world impact. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Will enjoys playing soccer with mates and diving into a good book.

Natalie is a Master of Mechanical Engineering student with an undergraduate degree in Politics and Communications. She’s passionate about equity in STEM and leads outreach programs that empower girls and gender-diverse students to explore engineering through hands-on learning. Natalie is especially interested in the role of policy in bridging technical innovation and social impact.

Lisa Mariah is a writer, editor, and information designer who combines strategic insight with real-world experience to support businesses with quality, compliance, and sustainability initiatives. She brings a passion for clear communication to major editorial projects, including National Quality Standards, and helps not-for-profits navigate their legislative obligations. A lifelong learner with a deep commitment to curiosity, connection, and authenticity, Lisa also plays roller derby, and volunteers at a permaculture market garden.

Jess is a social impact measurement and evaluation professional with a background in program delivery and advocacy. She’s passionate about evidence-based decision making and translating data into actionable insights. Outside of work you’ll usually find her in nature, whether it’s gardening, hiking, or painting.

Enya has a background in campaigns, advocacy and digital marketing, with experience in organisations focused on gender-based violence prevention and access to education. Enya holds a degree in International Studies from RMIT University and is driven by a strong belief in the power of people and organisations to create positive change. In her spare time, she enjoys team sports, travelling, yoga or practicing her Spanish.

Antonia is a recent graduate with a background in Geospatial Science and Architecture. She’s interested in how place, data, and policy can come together to support thoughtful, inclusive approaches to urban development.

Isabelle is a Bachelor of Politics and International Studies student with a background in human rights advocacy. She is actively involved in local politics and is passionate about developing meaningful policy that betters the community.

Sasmi is a Master of Public Policy and Management student with a strong background in science and research. She’s passionate about advancing criminal justice reform and promoting social and health equity through evidence-based policy. Outside of work, you’ll often find her reading or exploring Melbourne’s local cafes.

Ka Mun is a Bachelor of Science student majoring in Psychology who enjoys meaningful conversations and building connections with others. She is passionate about promoting accessible, trauma-informed mental health care and psychoeducation, with a focus on reducing stigma and fostering greater empathy and emotional well-being. Outside of work, you'll find her enjoying coffee, playing tennis, or exploring new things.

Maham has a background in development economics and public policy, with experience in immigration and education consultancy. She’s also worked with a number of NGOs, especially those focused on education and empowering women. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking, and travelling whenever she gets the chance.

Mary is a Master of Gender Studies with a background in gender-based violence and social inequality. She’s passionate about using data and storytelling to drive meaningful change, especially for marginalised communities. She enjoys spending her spare time out in the sun or eating good food.

Olivia is a Master of Public Health graduate with a background in gender-based violence prevention, refugee health, and culturally responsive policy advocacy. She is passionate about amplifying lived experience in policy design and advancing equitable access to care for women, children, and families from migrant, refugee, and First Nations communities. Outside of work, she enjoys creating social enterprise projects and spending time with her daughter.

Claudia is a passionate communications professional living on Awabakal Country with a background in not-for-profit work, grassroots organising, and content creation. She’s passionate about community-powered climate action and making policy more accessible, equitable, and people-focused. In her downtime, you'll find her out running, snowboarding, or chasing new adventures abroad.

Federico is a fourth-year International and Global Studies student at the University of Sydney, with a major in Spanish and Latin American studies. He sets out to contribute diverse, cross-cultural perspectives to complex policy challenges. Federico has a strong interest in Latin American affairs and a love for languages, currently studying French alongside his native Spanish.

Beth is a Bachelor of International Studies student with experience in non-profit and local government sectors as a Business Support and Administration Officer. She is passionate about creating clear pathways through policy reform to enable meaningful social change. Outside of work she likes finding good coffee, browsing second hand stores and enjoying the outdoors.

Dominique is a Master of Writing and Pubishing student with a Bachelors in Philosophy and Cultural studies. She is comitted to the values of mutuality and advocacy, and is passionate about community involvement and care. In her spare time she loves trying out new hobbies and visiting the countryside.

Maria is a recent Bachelor of Arts graduate with a background in development and geography. She is fascinated with how we can better incorporate ideas into tangible solutions that everyone can access. You can often find her knitting or exploring our beautiful national parks.

Ophelia has a campaigning background across sectors including integrity in politics, environmental protection and refugee rights. Driven by a love for our natural world, she aims to continue building a career in advocacy that helps protect people and planet. Having just returned from a 9-month backpacking trip, she is excited to deepen her skills and knowledge in public policy.

Amaany is a recent Economics and Political Science graduate from the University of Melbourne with experience in research and community services. She's passionate about social equity, sustainable and climate change policy, and amplifying marginalised voices in decision-making. Outside of work, she enjoys coffee walks, exploring the city and finding new restaurants to try